First Person: How I Saved Money Cleaning My Own Tile

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First Person| Many homeowners struggling with the current economy have let a few things go. Instead of replacing the gutters, a couple of trips up the ladder are all you can afford. However, when it comes to cleaning your bathroom or kitchen tile, can you actually avoid paying someone to do that? For less than $20, you can save money with only a little bit of elbow grease.

Commercial tile cleaning prices

Despite putting in two diverse zip codes, StanleySteemer.com gave me the same quote for Louisville, Kentucky and San Francisco. Without the clear seal, the cost to clean one tiled bathroom was $30. This price was included in the $93 minimum that Stanley Steemer needs to service an address. With the clear seal option and the cleaning, I was only at $45 and therefore charged the $93 minimum.

When I added a second bathroom complete with cleaning and clear seal, the prices only went up to $90. Despite their 300 square foot offer, I only needed to clean one 150 square foot bathroom on the third floor that was used to clean art supplies. Immediately, I saw in Stanley Steemer's stipulations that I could save over $120 by cleaning the tile myself.

Savings increase as you go upstairs

Despite the low prices quoted online at Stanley Steemer, there were some disclaimers that immediately turn this into a $143 minimum for any service. Stated on their website is the fact that these low prices are limited to the first and second floor. If, for any reason, they need to use portable equipment the price increases. This means spending $20 on supplies to clean your own tile in a third story bathroom saves you $123 in upstairs service fees.

Tile cleaning supplies costs

In order to clean your own tile, you will need a degreaser, something to scrub with, and a mop. Your first low cost item will be the mop itself. Instead of paying money for a mop that will be ruined by degreasers, use an old mop or old t-shirts. On Amazon.com, you will find two items that are perfect for the degreaser and scrubbing of your tiles.

Retailing for $7.34, a 10" heavy duty deck scrub brush is helps the degreaser do its job. As for the degreaser, a brand that works for tile cleaning is a 32 oz bottle of the Oil Eater Cleaner Degreaser on sale for $12.05. Altogether, it only takes $20 in supplies to do a first floor bathroom myself and that puts me ahead $73 in savings. For my third floor bathroom, I still have enough supplies left over and avoid Stanley Steemer's $143 third floor pricing. For these two bathrooms, I saved between $73 and $216 by avoiding the commercial service.

What about a shiny floor?

While it is a good idea to only clean ceramic and porcelain tile yourself, you will not get them shiny, but you will get your floors clean. If you must have a shiny and clean floor, you will need to have a clear seal. For the record, I have seen many clear seals go wrong. For this reason, if you want to make your tile floors glimmer, consider saving up for a commercial tile cleaning clear seal. As for the lines between your tiles, if you want them whiter and brighter, you will need to save additional money to have have professionals re-grout your ceramic floors.

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