Cleaning grout from your tiles isn’t really a desirable task, but it is an important part of your house cleaning process, and it will not only improve your health by improving the hygiene but can also dramatically improve the look and feel of your house.
The majority of the population does not like using harsh chemicals for household cleaning, and the same implies grout on tiles. Luckily, there are some natural methods that can be used to remove stubborn stains from grout on tiles. You can get grout-free tiles cost-effectively by utilizing cheap ingredients from your pantry.
How To Clean Tile Grout
The basic composition of grout is porous, and it is generally light in color, therefore it is prone to staining, spills in the kitchen cause staining, and soaps and molds in the washroom and moist areas make it a difficult task to maintain clean grout.
Fortunately, there are some household products that can be used to effectively clean grout without a bit of hard work.
Mentioned below are some tips on how to clean grout in tiles :
Mild
If the staining of grout is mild then you can simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub it off by rubbing it in a circular motion with a metal brush, or a small nylon brush. Now let it dry out for five to ten minutes, and clean it off with water.
Tough
If the staining of grout is tough then you can fill a spray bottle with a solution of vinegar and warm water, mixing the two liquids in a 50-50 proportion. Spray this mixture on the grout. Let the mixture rest on the grout for 5-10 minutes. Using a stiff-bristled brush rub in a circular motion to remove the grout. Avoid this method if the tiles are made of natural stone, as this will damage the tiles by corroding the top layer.
Stubborn
If the stains look stubborn, and you feel it won’t be easy to remove them, use this method. Take some baking soda from your pantry, and mix it with water to make a thick paste. Evenly distribute this paste on the grout lines. Then spray the vinegar solution on this paste. This baking soda paste on reaction with vinegar will start foaming. Once the mixture stops foaming, take a stiff-bristled brush and scrub it off by brushing in circular motions. Wash it all off with plain water.
Hardcore
If the grout staining falls under this category, then bring out the big guns for these deeply embedded grout stains. Get some hydrogen peroxide, it will be easily available in a nearby chemist store. Get some baking soda from your pantry and a thick paste of it with hydrogen peroxide. Evenly cover the grout with this mixture and let it stay on it for five to ten minutes. Then wash off with warm water.
Extreme
If the grout staining is extreme, then as a last resort try to follow this method. Get some baking soda from your pantry, and mix two parts of it with one-part bleach. Make a thick paste out of it. Evenly spread this thick paste onto the dirty grout. Let this paste sit on the grout for ten minutes. Now get a thick-bristle brush and start rubbing it in circular motions on the grout to scrub it off. After scrubbing, wait for another five to ten minutes. Then, using warm water, rinse off the paste. The process of mixing bleach with other chemicals is not considered safe, but a lot of people find this combination very helpful as it helps in improving the cleaning properties of both the baking soda and the bleach.
When wet the grout usually appears darker in shade. If the grout is not as white as you’d like it to be, wait until it dries before reaching for your cleaners and scrubbers.
To avoid staining of grout you can take the below-mentioned precautions
1 . Once a week spray your tiles and grout with vinegar and wipe it off.
2. To prevent mold growth on the grout, regularly dab it with alcohol.
3. Before you mop the floors, clear them with vacuum cleaners to avoid dirt soaking into the grout lines.
4. Seal The Tile and Grout: Cement is the basic component of grout, and cement has the physical property of being porous. This is the reason why it absorbs any oil, water, and soap-based stains. There is no way that you can prevent the bathroom tiles from being lathered with soap and water. So, what can you do to keep the grout stain-free and from getting dull and dirty with time? You can use a commercially available sealer for grout. The sealer will prevent materials such as oils, dirt, soap, etc from reaching the grout. This sealer can also be put on the tiles, to keep them from losing their shine.
5. Cleaning Periodically: The discoloration of tile grout is not a process that happens overnight. The grout stains slowly over time every day which is not visible to the naked eye. You will only be able to see the damage after three or four months. The grout will become very dull. To prevent this, clean your shower tiles and grout with a sponge or a rag regularly. You can also consult a professional tile and grout cleaning company.
6. Dye The Grout: Out of all the techniques mentioned above, this one is the trickiest technique to carry out. You add dye before grouting the tile into the cement, or you can also regrout tiles using dyed grout.
Conclusion
The methods mentioned above are helpful in preventing tile and grout staining, and it is a better option to implement them, rather than replacing your tiles. If it is not possible for you to follow these methods, you can hire a professional tile and grout cleaner.