It’s true that grouts don’t get much attention. That’s because most of us are too busy staring at our tile to notice the grout lines. But before you resort to replacing your whole floor, consider this guide to cleaning tile grout. Armed with household products, some elbow grease, and this guide on how to clean grout lines, you can make your floors look new again.
But just because it’s difficult to clean doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Cleaning and maintaining your tile and grout is a must for ensuring beauty and hygiene, not to mention the fact that dirty grout gives your home a dingy, uninviting appearance. Fortunately, there are some things you can do today to help your dirty grout “shine” up as new (and stay that way).
Cleaning grout lines in a shower or in a tile floor can be a daunting task. The color of grout lines can vary from home to home and bathroom to bathroom, but one thing always remains the same: Grout stains are hard to get rid of, and natural remedies for cleaning grout can be extremely time-consuming. Here are some great tips for how to clean stained grout the right way.
Get Out Those Grout Brushes!
Have you ever wondered how to get rid of bad smells in your kitchen? A new fragrance for the grout lines in your bathroom could be the answer. Grout is always a pain to clean, but scrubbing it with plain warm water and a stiff-bristled brush is easier than you’d think. Simply spray the dirty grout lines with warm water and scrub with a brush, and let air dry.
If you don’t have a brush for the job, use an old toothbrush or scrub sponge. You can also purchase grout brushes designed to clean out grout lines. These brushes are shaped with bristles that are inserted into the grout lines. Spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then let dry.
Clean grout with vinegar
All-purpose cleaners of any kind — whether they’re made for cleaning tile floors or counters, or for toilets and tubs — will damage tile grout. Instead, mix up a solution of warm water and white distilled vinegar and apply it to the grout with a sponge or rag. Let the solution stand for five minutes and then scrub the grout with a stiff brush.
Making your own grout cleaning solution not only is less costly than commercial preparations but is an effective alternative that saves you time and leaves you with a reusable spray bottle.
Make it shine with baking soda.
To get rid of mold and mildew in the grout, cut a sponge into 1-inch cubes, then dip them into baking soda. Then, cover the grout with the baking soda/sponge mixture and spray on water (using a spray bottle) or vinegar (squeeze bottle) to activate the cleaning power of the baking soda. Let it sit for one hour, then scrub with your hands or brush. The baking soda should absorb the toxin from the mold spores.
Clean grout with hydrogen peroxide
If you’re dealing with a light stain, the best way to remove it is by pouring on some hydrogen peroxide. It’s available at most drug stores and supermarkets, in the same aisle as the rubbing alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide can be used straight or in paste form, depending on your preference.
To make the paste, mix together one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda. This can be applied with a toothbrush to scrub away stains, or just poured onto the stain and left to sit for up to five minutes before scrubbing.
For really tough stains that refuse to budge, you can apply a mixture of bleach and water directly onto the tile’s grout lines. Let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing off any remaining residue.
Clean grout with oxygen bleach
To use oxygen bleach to clean grout, first, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Wear a mask, gloves, and eye protection when working with this product.
Next, mix the powdered oxygen bleach with the water in a one-to-one ratio. For example, if the oxygen bleaches package directs you to mix two cups of powder with one gallon of water, use two tablespoons of powder instead.
After stirring the bleach mixture together, apply it with a toothbrush to areas where grout needs cleaning (if you’re using powdered oxygen bleach).
Let the mixture sit on the area for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. You can also scrub stubborn stains with a stiff nylon brush while the oxygen bleach is working for full grout cleaning power.
The final step is to rinse your newly cleaned grout lines with clean water. Consider doing this process several times over several weeks to keep your grout looking its absolute best at all times.
Clean Grout and Tile with Steam
Steam cleaners are an effective way to clean grout. They can also be used to remove stains from tile, marble, vinyl, and laminate flooring, countertops, bathtubs, showers, clothes, and virtually any other hard surface in the house. They can be used with various cleaning agents including vinegar, lemon juice, and baking soda. A steam cleaner can also be used to sanitize hard surfaces throughout the house.
Steam cleaners are environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional cleaning methods that use solvents. Steam cleaners are powerful enough to cut through grease and grime while being gentle enough not to damage delicate surfaces or leave streaks or residue on most floors.