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How to Properly Clean Grout and Remove Stains
Dirty tiles and grout is something no homeowner wants to struggle with. We all want our floors to look squeaky clean, especially when the guests arrive.
Most tiles are resistant to stains and dirt but the grout in-between tiles are porous. This means it will absorb whatever dirt, spills, and grime it comes into contact with.
Fortunately, there are various gentle methods you can use to deep clean grout and remove tough stains, ensuring that it looks as good as it did on day one.
Avoid messy, stained looking floors in your bathroom or kitchen, by following the tried and tested methods below.
Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
We’re starting off with this method as it doesn’t contain any bleach or vinegar (like the other methods mentioned later) which will prevent your grout from corroding and potentially destroying tiles. Sometimes all you need is hot water and a coarse brush.
Ensure you have a brush with stiff bristles, a sponge, gloves, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Most of these you’ll likely to have handy already, but if not, luckily they’re not expensive.
How to use
- Prep the area by spraying the grout with hot water and gently scrubbing the grout with your brush. Follow the grout line while scrubbing in a circular motion.
- Mix two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide. If the tiles are in an area where it’s exposed to grease at times, add a few drops of dish soap to your solution.
- Start adding the solution onto the grout lines and leave it on to soak for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Start scrubbing to help lift the dirt still trapped in the grout’s pores.
- Rinse the tile with a few drops of dish soap in hot water and use something less coarse, like a sponge, to wipe away the remaining grout solution.
Baking Soda & Vinegar
If the milder method didn’t do much to help clean your grout, try this method instead.
Ensure you have baking soda, vinegar, gloves, a spray bottle, and a stiff bristle brush.
How to use
- Create a thick paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water. Apply the paste on the grout lines with your fingers.
- After applying the paste, mix one part vinegar with one part water in the spray bottle. Spray the solution on the paste. If it starts bubbling, don’t panic. The bubbling means the baking soda and vinegar is having a chemical reaction.
- Once the bubbling stops, start scrubbing the grout with the brush.
- After scrubbing, you can mop the floor with clean water to remove all residue.
Tip
- Don’t use this solution on natural stone such as limestone or marble.
Stubborn stains
Only when it’s absolutely necessary, revert to the method below to clean grout.
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach is quite strong and should be used sparingly on grout as long-term usage will cause the grout to erode.
How to use
- If you applied the aforementioned methods previously, make sure you rinse your tiles with water, prior to applying chlorine bleach. If there are any traces of vinegar left, mixing it with chlorine bleach will release a highly toxic gas.
- If all traces are safely removed, fill a bucket with five parts water and one part bleach.
- Dip your brush into the mixture and start scrubbing.
- You can dip the brush back in the solution every 15 seconds.
- Leave the bleach to soak for 10 minutes.
- Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the grout to remove the remaining bleach.
Tip
- Remember to wear gloves when using this method to ensure you don’t burn your skin during the process.
- Ensure fresh air is circulated by opening a window.
Prevent future stains
Make sure all your hard work is rewarded by sealing your grout and taking care of it more often.
Apply a grout sealant after cleaning to ensure nothing fills the grout’s pores with dirt or grime. The amount of times required to seal the grout is dependent on foot traffic and the type of sealant used.
Keeping grout clean will save you from replacing it in the future. We recommend weekly cleaning to ensure it is maintained properly and looks its best.
Need Tiles for Your Bathroom?
Showerline is proud to offer clients the opportunity to purchase Douglas Jones Tiles along with their Showerline products. From glass to natural stone and ceramic or porcelain, we offer tiles for every customer. Get in touch with our team at Showerline by visiting www.showerline.co.za or simply sending an email to salesct2@showerline.co.za.