Grout Cleaning Tips

Grout lines the surfaces of most rooms in your home, and it gets dirty quickly. A good grout cleaner can lift dirt, erase mold and soap scum, and brighten your tile surface.

But not all products work for every type of grout material, and some — like vinegar — can weaken or even etch stone tiles. To find the right one, consider what your surface needs and budget are.

Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda is a versatile ingredient that helps to neutralize odors, remove stains and clean tile grout. Its mineral structure acts as a gentle abrasive that can scrub without scratching the tiles, and it is inexpensive and widely available. When combined with vinegar, baking soda forms carbon dioxide gas that lifts dirt from the surface and helps to deodorize.

Vinegar and baking soda are familiar to most people from childhood scientific experiments such as volcanoes or geysers, but they are also a popular home cleaning solution. They act as a base to dissolve organic compounds such as oil and grease and an acid to break down minerals that form hard tap water deposits or unsightly stains on surfaces.

If stains are particularly stubborn, oxygen bleach is an alternative to harsher chemical cleaners. Apply the oxygen bleach solution to the affected area and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with water. It’s important to use this product in a well-ventilated room and to wear gloves as it can cause irritation to skin.

Hydrogen peroxide

Grout is a crucial part of your tiled surfaces; it fills in the gaps between tiles and creates a finished, sealed surface. Unfortunately, it can also become a magnet for dirt and grime that degrades the look of your entire floor. Grout can be extremely difficult to clean, but there are some simple steps you can take to remove dirt and keep your grout looking beautiful.

Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic, natural cleaning product that is safe for use on most types of tile. It can be used to clean stains, disinfect and brighten your grout. You can apply the solution with a small brush or an old toothbrush, and let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing.

There are plenty of fancy homemade grout cleaner recipes out there, but they often require 6 or more ingredients and are time-consuming to mix. To save yourself both money and time, try mixing hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and a bit of dish soap to make a quick and easy DIY grout cleaner.

Bleach

If your bathroom grout has gotten to the point where daily shower cleaners and a toothbrush just won’t cut it, a bit of bleach might be the answer. But if used long-term, it could damage your grout, making it crumble and become uneven. Bleach is an oxidizing agent that essentially destroys other molecules, including chromophores, the chemicals that give objects their color. It can also weaken the cement that holds your grout together, causing it to break down and create unsightly cracks.

Mix a solution of 3/4 cup household bleach with a gallon of water, and apply it to your grout using a brush or sponge. Rinse the area well after scrubbing to make sure the bleach has been completely removed. Be sure to open windows to provide adequate ventilation when cleaning, as bleach can emit toxic fumes that can irritate your lungs. It’s also highly corrosive to metals, so if you accidentally spray it on a metal fixture, it will likely rust or tarnish quickly.

Dish soap

Rather than reaching for toxic cleaners, you can use common household products that effectively clean grout and won’t discolour your tiles. Baking soda and vinegar are effective cleaning agents that remove stubborn stains, while hydrogen peroxide is an excellent bleach alternative. For best results, it’s important to regularly wipe up spills and sweep/vacuum dirt clumps as they appear. Keeping up with a cleaning schedule can prevent dirt from settling into the porous grout.

For a simple yet powerful grout cleaning solution, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts. The baking soda acts as a mildly abrasive agent, while the peroxide provides gentle bleaching power. Apply the mixture to the grout and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing. This homemade grout cleaner does not contain any acid, emits no toxic fumes and is safe for most tile types. Regular use of this product can keep your grout looking bright and fresh. For extra shine, add a coat of silicone sealer to the cleaned area.



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