Grout is an important part of a tile surface. Whether that surface is a wall, a floor or anything else, the grout is essential to the aesthetic. When grout gets dirty, it can be a major eyesore. That’s why you need good ways to clean grout. Unfortunately, some methods can damage the grout, and you’ll be worse off for your efforts. If you stick to these four tips, you can clean your grout safely and effectively.
Scrub It
The easiest way to clean tile grout is to scrub it. All you need is warm water and a stiff brush. Most of what gets into grout is run-of-the-mill dirt. Warm water and scrubbing take care of that.
While this is pretty simple, you want to avoid a wire brush. If the brush is hard enough (such as metal scrubbing devices), it can scrape away some of the grout. You’re just trying to clean it, so there’s no need to risk any damage.
Use a Cleaning Solution
If the grout has stains or discoloration, then you might need a cleaning solution to take care of the problem. You can make grout cleaners out of household items. The easiest is to use vinegar. Mix it with water in a one-to-one ratio. Spray it on the grout. Let it sit for around five minutes, and then scrub.
If vinegar isn’t strong enough, hydrogen peroxide also works. It can disrupt a lot of stains. Escalating further, you can use oxygen bleach. That will handle most of the toughest stains.
You can also go to your local hardware store and get a grout cleaning solution. Any of these options will work just fine.
Avoid Chlorine
The one solution you want to avoid is chlorine bleach (or any chlorine product). There are two reasons why. First, most grout is intentionally stained a specific color to make the floor, wall or surface look pretty. Chlorine bleach will damage that coloring.
Additionally, repeated exposure to chlorine can degrade the grout itself and eventually damage the material.
Steam It
If your cleaning solutions still can’t get the grout as clean as you would like, the ultimate cleaning tool is a steamer. Steam mops can clean anything, and they are safe for your tile grout. Steaming is more time-sensitive than other cleaning methods, but it gets the job done.
You can purchase steam cleaners pretty affordably these days. You can also rent commercial-grade steam cleaners. If a steam cleaner can’t fix the grout problem, it might be time to replace the grout.
AZ BathMasters is a locally owned and operated bathroom remodeling company specializing in Cultured Marble Tyvarian shower and tub conversions, walk-in-showers, and tub and shower side-by-sides. Our conversions produce a fresh, clean, and beautiful atmosphere and with over 200 color and design choices we know you will find just what you are looking for.
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