Grout helps hold tiles in place, so it is usually found in multiple spots around their house, from tiled bathrooms and entryways to kitchen backsplashes, countertops, and tubs. While surfaces with grout may be cleaned regularly, grout itself can remain dirty, collecting debris, mold, and dust over time. It can also have a lot of stains. Fortunately, grout cleanup can be added to the cleaning routine with the help of a few tips.
1. Get the necessary supplies
A crucial grout cleaning tip is to prep the surface before starting with the actual cleaning process. To do this, one must first get supplies like a grout brush, sponges, microfiber cloth, gloves, masks, and other protective gear, along with a cleaning agent, which can be any affordable store-bought grout cleaning solution or a homemade grout cleaner.
2. Prioritize stain removal
Stained grout, even though technically clean, tends to make the space look dirty. So, one way to ensure that surfaces with grout look consistently clean is to tackle all stubborn stains. One can start by pre-treating all the grout lines with a cleaning solution. When using a store-bought powerful cleaner to get rid of stains, one must apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the product package and try focusing solely on the stained areas. Excessive or improper use of powerful chemicals can strip away grout sealant over time. On the other hand, if using a natural, homemade solution, one can apply it to the grout lines directly. Ensure that the solution sits on the surface for about 10 minutes.
Prepping the grout lines this way helps loosen all the stains and dirt, making it easier to clean the grout during the scrubbing process. To tackle extremely stubborn grout stains, one can also take a few additional measures.
Try steam cleaning
If one wants to clean grout without applying products conatining harsh chemicals, using a steam cleaner can be a great option. This tool helps one deep clean areas with grout and get rid of difficult stains. The high-temperature steam that the tool produces can easily penetrate the porous areas in the grout and loosen all the mold, grime, and dirt that can venture quite deep inside the grout lines. When using this tool, one must move the cleaner slowly and gently over the grout lines so that the steam can really get in. This is also a natural grout cleaning method as it only makes use of water and heat instead of harsh chemicals. Steam can also help sanitize the space, killing all mold and bacteria.
Use baking soda and vinegar
A DIY homemade grout cleaner can also help remove stains. An inexpensive grout cleaning hack is just sprinkling some baking soda on the stained grout surface and then directly pouring or spraying vinegar over the stains. Following this, baking soda and vinegar will start reacting and fizzing. This friction will help loosen direct and break down tough stains. One must let the mixture sit for a few minutes before rinsing the mixture off with water.
3. Manually scrub the grout lines
Nothing beats a hard scrub when removing dirt, grime, and stains. To scrub the grout clean, one must get a sturdy grout brush or just use any hard-bristled variant available at home. Then, one must move the brush back and forth to get rid of all the dirt lodged in the grout lines. Here, it is important to apply even and firm pressure to remove all the dirt and stains. To get rid of tougher stains, one may need to vigorously scrub the surface. Along with this, one can use more cleaning solutions to remove stains. That said, one must not overdo it, as too much force can cause damage to the grout and the tiles surrounding it.
4. Rinse and wipe the tiles and grout lines
After scrubbing all the grout lines and treating the stains, it is important to rinse the entire area with clean water. With the help of a sponge or a damp microfiber cloth, one must gently wipe down all the tiles and the grout lines. This will get rid of the cleaning solution residue and any loose dirt particles. Otherwise, the cleaning agent left behind can cause discoloration or staining and also attract more dirt and mold.
5. Let the grout dry
This should be the final step in the grout cleaning process. After scrubbing, stain treatment, and steam cleaning, grout lines should be left to dry to prevent a lot of moisture from getting into the grout. This keeps mold at bay, at least for a while.
To speed up the drying process, one can use a clean towel to absorb any remaining water from the grout. In addition to this, one must increase the air circulation and ventilation in the room, say, by opening up the windows or switching the fan on to speed up the drying process. Spending some time to allow the grout to dry completely will ensure it stays clean and free from mold and mildew for as long as possible.