Tile floors are always a good choice for any home because they look great and last long. However, one area of your tile floor is challenging to keep clean through the grout. Between your tiles, grout fills up the void.
Although it keeps your tiles in place well, they can become soiled, damaged, and filthy after some time. If you want to extend the lifetime of your tile flooring or if you have been experiencing problems cleaning grout, you have come to the correct location. This guide will teach you fast and straightforward methods to keep your tile and grout fresh and new.
What is Grout?
Before discussing how to clean grout, let’s first pause to define it. Grout is a thick mixture of cement, water, sand, and sometimes colourants for filling gaps between tiles. It maintains the tiles’ position and guards against damage. Grout comes in many forms to suit various sorts of gaps between tiles, including:
- Sanded Grout: Use smooth grout for larger joints greater than ½ inches. It’s perfect for areas with lots of foot activity, and it’s rugged and sometimes harsh.
- Unsanded Grout: Usually used for wall tiles, unsanded grout is smooth and ideal for small joints—less than ¼ inches.
- Epoxy Grout: Strong and long-lasting, epoxy grout resists water better than grouts based on cement. It’s ideal for locations heavy in moisture.
1. Scrubbing It the Old-Fashioned Way
Sometimes, nothing can replace a good, classic scrub. Cleaning grout lines can be very effective with warm water and a brush.
How to Do It:
- Warm water spray can help you wash the grout lines.
- Using a nylon brush with medium bristles—an old toothbrush works great—scrub in circular motions. This will help clean the grout without compromising the tile surface.
- Let the area air dry.
Always consider adding a little soap solution to the water if you need more cleaning power. Though it can require some elbow work, cleaning will make your grout look more immaculate.
2. Dish Soap Solution
Who knew that your dish soap could help clean grout? Dish soap is a great, non-toxic solution that makes grout much more readily cleanable.
How to do it:
- Combine some dish soap droplets with warm water in a bucket.
- Mop the floor to clean the grout lines, then wash the walls with a microfiber cloth.
- Repeat this if you would like a more thorough cleaning.
3. Vinegar and Water: A Classic Combo
Vinegar is ideal for a light, all-natural remedy. It restores grout to its original colour and works magic on filth.
How to Do It:
- In a spray bottle, equally, mix lukewarm water with white vinegar.
- Apply the solution to the grout lines using a spray bottle, then wait 5-7 minutes.
- Clean the grout with a brush, then rinse it with fresh water.
Vinegar’s acidity helps filth and stains break down so that grout is cleaner without solid chemicals.
4. The Power of Baking Soda and Vinegar
Eliminating the most ingrained grout stains requires somewhat more effort. Mixed vinegar and baking soda create a foaming reaction that efficiently cleans grout of stains and grime.
How to Do It:
- Mixing baking soda and water will create a thick paste.
- In a separate spray bottle, mix vinegar and warm water.
- After laying the baking soda paste, mist the grout lines with vinegar solution. The mixture bubbles and foams.
- After some time sitting, brush it and flush it with water.
Although this method requires more effort, the advantages exceed the drawbacks. Your grout will appear fresh.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide: A Heavy-Duty Cleaner
If your grout is discoloured or dirty, you need something stronger. Hydrogen peroxide, applied with baking soda, can be a good grout repair agent.
How to Do It:
- Combining hydrogen peroxide with baking soda will create a thick paste.
- Wait 7-10 minutes after pasting the application to the grout lines.
- Scrub with a stiff brush, then flush under water.
NOTE: Work with hydrogen peroxide using gloves, which could aggravate your skin.
6. Steam Clean for Stubborn Stains
Steam cleaning is among the best methods to clean grout, particularly for larger areas. High-temperature steam in a steam cleaner breaks down grime and stains rather than strong chemicals.
How to Do It:
- For dust and other debris, sweep or tidy the space.
- When you set up your steam cleaner, ensure you have the appropriate grout-cleaning gear.
- Pay close attention to the grout lines as you steam away dirt and filth, following the machine’s recommendations.
7. Bleach for Tough Stains
If the grout colour is inferior, you have to use bleach. Not even the hardest filth would stick to it. But be cautious when using bleach; improper use can compromise your grout.
How to Do It:
- Combine one gallon of water with half a cup of bleach.
- Wait 15 minutes and spray the filthy grout the answer on.
- Using a brush and clean water, wash it off.
NOTE: Work with bleach, always wearing gloves; avoid using bleach on grout that is already damaged or soiled.
Custom Bathroom Cleaning Solutions for Any Home
Although maintaining clean tile and grout seems complicated, using the correct methods is possible. While deeper cleans like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide can give your grout a fresh lease on life, regular cleaning can help avoid accumulation and stains.
At AmeriStar Maids, we highly value keeping a clean, healthy house. Whether you need help or are doing your grout independently, we are here to help you at every level. Our expertise includes house cleaning; therefore, we provide a broad spectrum of services to make your house shine.
Call (570) 310-1057 or visit our website, ameristarmaids.com, if you lack the time or effort to clean grout yourself. Let us take care of the filthy chores so you may relax in a spotless house without doing anything.