How To Clean Tile Grout – Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home improvement and DIY. Tried, true, trusted home advice
8 Ways to Clean Grout Grout Using common household products, a little elbow grease, and these tried-and-tested tips, you’ll be cleaning the space between tiles again, no matter how dirty it is.
How To Clean Tile Grout
Tiles are beautiful, durable and generally easy to clean, but grout to clean? That’s another story. Because it is typically light in color and has a porous composition, grout is prone to staining. In a tiled entryway or mudroom, dirt and grime are common culprits, but in the kitchen they’re more likely to be the culprits of spills. In the bathroom, homeowners must contend with plaster that is damaged by mold and mildew.
How To Clean Bathroom Grout
The good news is that the best way to clean grout doesn’t come with a big price tag. It is possible to clean and restore your grout using common household products and, of course, a little elbow grease.
Before you begin your grout cleaning endeavors, understand that it’s best to start with the first cleaning option on this list, which is the mildest and least damaging method. Failing that, you can progress to progressively more intense, uncomfortable, and potentially time-consuming options on this list. If you’re unsure whether a particular grout cleaner is suitable for your surface, test it first in a hidden spot — under an appliance in the kitchen, say, or behind the toilet in the bathroom.
There are several types of plaster, and most types come in multiple colors. It’s important to consider both type and shade before you start collecting cleaning supplies and creating a cleaning plan. The two most common types of grout these days are traditional cement grout and the newer standard, epoxy grout. These types of grouting can be further broken down as follows:
Some types of plaster are pre-stained and as a result are more resistant to staining and fading. There are also grout formulations that add polymers to provide beneficial properties such as moisture and mold resistance. Finally, as you figure out how best to clean the joint, it’s important to know if the joint is sealed or if it may need resealing. This can affect how well the plaster holds and what cleaning solutions you can use.
Need Help With Your Tile And Grout Cleaning In Toronto?
If you don’t already have a grout cleaner, most home centers and hardware stores have a variety of products specifically designed to clean tile grout. To avoid damaging the grout, opt for a medium-bristled nylon brush rather than a stiff steel one. Simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then allow to dry. Do not use too much water or leave it on the grout for too long. Remember: Porous cement grout absorbs water, which can lead to mold.
If you know your grout is sealed but has accumulated heavy dirt or light stains, turn to vinegar, that trusty old household staple. Fill a spray bottle half and half with a solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray the mixture on the grout, let it sit for 5 minutes, then scrub the surface with a stiff brush. Avoid using vinegar on unsealed grout.
Cleaning the grout with baking soda will add even more power to the party. Here’s what to do: Cover the grout lines with a paste of baking soda and water, then spray the vinegar solution listed above (remember, only apply vinegar if the grout is sealed). When the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush, rinse with plain water and wipe. If the joint is unsealed or needs resealing, just apply a baking soda solution and scrub carefully.
Moderate stains may require you to use hydrogen peroxide, which is available at most drugstores. You can use the product directly or as part of a homemade joint cleaning paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This mixture is usually safe for both sealed and unsealed grout.
How To Keep Your Grout Clean And Maintained
For tougher stains on really dirty white grout, use oxygen bleach as a cleaning agent. You will find that this cleaner is most commonly sold in powder form; Top selling brands include OkiClean and Biokleen Okigen Bleach Plus.
Before using oxygen bleach to clean grout, make sure the room is well ventilated, then carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application. Allow the oxygen solution to soak in for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water and then wipe the area dry to prevent dirt from settling back into the grout lines.
Applying one of the best grout cleaners on the market could quickly eliminate mold and mildew and restore your grout’s sparkling white lines. These products work in one of two ways: (1) spray and wipe or (2) brush. Spray products claim to work without scrubbing. Although they save time and energy, they may contain harsher acids, solvents or chlorine bleach.
Cleaning with a soft brush and detergent requires a bit of work, but this method can be particularly effective on floors and heavily soiled plasters. Before you start using one of these products, read the active ingredients carefully and follow the instructions – especially the precautions.
How To Clean Grout
The best steam cleaners are efficient and environmentally friendly tools for cleaning plaster – or, for that matter, many hard surfaces around the house. Bissell, Oreck and Hoover manufacture steam cleaners for residential use.
Chlorine bleaches and commercial cleaners containing chlorine bleach can be used sparingly in extreme cases to clean grout. It is not a good idea to use them as grout cleaners because prolonged use of caustic cleaners will erode the grout. However, when all else fails, a bleaching product like Clorox Clean-Up can be effective.
If you have tried any or all of the above methods before applying chlorine bleach, be sure to rinse the surface completely before proceeding with any chlorine bleaching products. This is especially true of vinegar, as traces of vinegar mixed with bleach will emit highly toxic chlorine gas into the air.
When you’re done cleaning the grout, spray it with household vinegar or a mild cleaner and wipe it once a week to keep it stain-free. Wiping the grout with rubbing alcohol will also prevent mold and mildew. Either way, just a few sprays and wipes a week can save you a lot of cleaning time and effort and help you maintain the attractive appearance of your tiled surfaces.
Best Way To Clean Grout
Grout cleaning starts with good prevention, including resealing grout as needed, cleaning up spills in the kitchen right away, and regularly using a mild household or commercial cleaner. When the grout starts to look stained or dirty, refer to the steps above. An important reminder on how to clean grout is to start with the gentlest approach as it is the least likely to damage or discolor the grout. If the grout stain does not exist, move on to increasingly intensive methods. Always provide adequate ventilation and wear rubber or nylon gloves when cleaning grout.
Finally, be sure to keep the grout sealed and maintained as recommended by your tiler or manufacturer, and avoid harsh cleaners or scrubbers if the tile and grout are susceptible to damage. Keeping the grout clean and sealed bumps that need to be painted, repaired or re-grouted.
The above methods range from the easiest way to clean grout to more powerful approaches for more stubborn stains. If you still have questions about maintaining and cleaning tile grout, read answers to common problems.
A magic eraser and some warm water can remove debris from the tile surface and can be a simple addition to your regular grout cleaning routine. In particular, regular wiping with a damp Magic Eraser sponge can remove some of the gray area on the white grout. For tougher stains, you may want to choose it as your first scrubbing option instead of a brush or soft cloth, then switch to something firmer if needed.
Restoring White Grout On A Ceramic Tiled Floor In Wilmslow
Although OkiClean is called “oxygen bleach,” it’s actually made from a combination of dry hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate, which is similar to baking soda. It is less toxic to the environment and safer for the paint than bleach.
OkiClean powder is safe for use on grout when mixed with water into a liquid or paste and applied with a cloth, sponge or scrubber. Allow the solution to sit on the grout for 5 to 30 minutes before cleaning and rinsing.
Do not use steel wool for grouting. Although an abrasive pad might clean the stain, it might take some of the grout with it. In addition, steel wool can scratch the tile surrounding the grout joint. Instead, opt for a soft sponge or nylon bristle brush, perhaps even one fitted to an electric scrubber, always starting with the least abrasive material first. Want a simple trick to cleaning grout in your shower, tub, or kitchen? This is the absolute BEST homemade grout cleaner; just baking soda and bleach!
This homemade grout cleaner works great and only requires 2 ingredients: baking soda
Can A Magic Eraser Be Used For Tile And Grout Cleaning
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