If you’re facing the challenge of cleaning grout, you’d know that this is not an easy task. However, it’s not impossible if you know what to do and have the best tools at hand.
Grout is notoriously difficult to clean, particularly in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens where it is exposed to moisture, dirt, and grime. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can keep your grout looking clean and fresh. In this article, we’ll share some tips and techniques for cleaning grout effectively.`
Grout is prone to staining because of its light color and porous composition. It definitely depends on where’s the grout located, if it’s in a tiled entry or mudroom, dirt and grime are your enemies. If it’s in the kitchen, grease, and food spills are your culprits. If it’s in the bathroom, mold, soap, and mildew will make it difficult to maintain clean.
As there are a lot of options when choosing a cleaning solution, it is best to start off with the mildest one. Test it in a hidden space of your entry, kitchen, or bathroom and see how it reacts.
Soft Cleaning Methods
Water is the universal solvent, and there’s a good reason for it. Use plain water and a stiff-bristled brush. Spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then let dry. You can even use an old electric brush for this purpose.
Hydrogen peroxide is also an option, but please be careful with the fumes. Buy it at any drug store and apply it over the dirty parts, scrub, rinse, and let it dry. You can also apply it mixed with baking soda (in the form of a paste).
Have you considered using a steam cleaner? It’s an effective and environmentally-friendly method.
For heavier dirt and mild stains, vinegar comes to the rescue. Fill a spray bottle with 50% warm water and 50% vinegar, spray it on the grout, let it sit for 5 minutes, and scrub with a brush.
Baking soda is also a savior, in fact. Make a paste of it mixed with water, put it on the grout lines, and spray some of the 50/50 vinegar-water solutions. There’s chemistry! – literally. When the mixture stops creating foam, scrub the lines, then rinse.
If all of the above cannot beat tougher stains and really hard grout, use oxygen bleach. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions—and open your windows! The place has to be well-ventilated. Apply the oxygen bleach solution and let it sit for 10 or 15 minutes, then rinse with clean water.
Extreme cases require extreme solutions. Chlorine bleach and commercial cleansers can be used when there’s not any other option that can clean a really stubborn grout. Remember that long-term use of caustic cleaners erodes grout, so be careful!
As always, the best way for cleaning grout is to clean it frequently with soft techniques. Do you have any comments or suggestions for us? Let us know in the section below!
