Home Remedies for Tile Grout
Cracked and stained grout can lessen the appearance of your tiled floors. However, there are many different ways to clean grout with common household ingredients. Before using a home remedy for tile grout, it is important to take into consideration the material and color. For instance, colored grout cannot be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide or any other liquids that have a bleaching effect.
What is Tile Grout?
Available in a range of colors, grout is the material used to fill in the spaces between the individual tiles. Keeping your tile grout clean is important because it fights against water damage and protects tiles from the breakdown caused by mildew, grime and moisture. Grout is found in the bathroom, kitchen, and other flooring in a home. Routine cleaning will enhance the appearance and lengthen the life of your tile grout.
Tile Grout Home Remedies
If you are looking to clean with an acidic solution, make sure to test out a spot that is concealed. Rinse thoroughly and use baking soda to neutralize the acid. A handful of home remedies for cleaning tile grout include the following suggestions:
a) Water:
Before using a solution to clean your grout, first use water to remove any loose surface debris. Allow to dry before moving onto the next remedy.
b) Listerine:
Some people have successfully cleaned their grout using Listerine, which also offers a disinfecting quality.
c) Baking Soda:
Add enough water to baking soda to create a paste for cleaning loose dirt and debris from your grout. Rinse the grout well with clean water to remove any residue.
d) Steam Cleaner:
One of the easiest ways to preserve your grout is to use a steam cleaner. Hold the steam cleaner attachment against an area of grout for 10 to 15 seconds. The steam will help to loosen any dirt that gets stuck to the grout. A toothbrush or small brush can be used to scrub the dirt away. After cleaning the grout, rinse the area with clean water to remove any dirt residue.
e) Mop and Vacuum:
Dust mopping and vacuuming will keep marble and slate tiles looking their best, as well as keep dust and other particles from affecting tile grout.
f) Lemon Juice:
Since grout can become discolored and stained with time, lemon juice can be used to remove stains and other blemishes. Apply the juice to affected areas and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Wipe off using a damp sponge.
g) Vinegar:
Add equal parts of vinegar and water to a spray bottle. Spritz the vinegar onto the grout and let soak for at least five minutes. Heat white vinegar in the microwave and use the warmed solution to tackle tough stains. After five minutes have passed, scrub the area clean with an old toothbrush. Follow up by rinsing well. Do not use vinegar and other acidic solutions to clean marble or travertine tiles, which have alkaline properties that do not react well to acidic liquids.
h) Nylon Brush:
A stiff nylon brush can clean grout without scratching materials. Do not use brushes with metal bristles. Toothbrushes are usually the tool of choice, but do not select one with soft bristles.
i) Shaving Cream:
After spraying shaving cream onto your grout, allow it to sit for three to five minutes. Scrub the area with a damp toothbrush, and then rinse with clean water.
j) Hydrogen Peroxide:
Add 3% hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle and saturate your grout with the solution. Allow it to stand for at least 15 minutes before using a toothbrush soaked in the peroxide to scrub the grout. Use clean water to rinse the area.
k) Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda:
Add hydrogen peroxide to baking soda to create a paste that cleans grout. Apply the remedy when the combination stops bubbling. Completely cover the grout, and then leave it to sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing away the residue with an old toothbrush.
l) Bottle Opener:
Before regrouting the bathroom, use a the sharp end of a bottle opener to remove the old grout between the tiles.
m) Oven Cleaner:
In a well-ventilated room, spray on oven cleaner into the lines of your grout, and let sit for five seconds before wiping off with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly with water to reveal a brighter appearance. When following this remedy, wear rubber gloves to protect your skin.
n) Sandpaper [1]:
When grout stains are too stubborn for liquid home remedies, consider using sandpaper with a fine grit. Fold the sandpaper and use the folded edge to sand into the grout seam. Don’t forget to avoid scratching the tile and finish while following this technique.
o) Bleach:
Dilute one part bleach with three parts water as a way to clean grout. This remedy is especially helpful for cleaning bathroom grout marred by mold and mildew. The bleach also offers disinfecting qualities. Use bleach to remove stains and discolorations from white grout, but do not use on colored grout or you will cause discoloration. When using bleach to clean grout, do not forget to provide a decent amount of ventilation.
p) General Household Cleaners:
Basic household cleaners (like Spic-n-Span and Pine Sol) that you typically use can be effective cleaners for some grout. Many contain bleach, which can whiten grout that has become dingy, but are not recommended for colored grout. After using these type of products, you must rinse well with fresh water. Do not clean around granite or natural stone tiles with household cleaners.
q) Do Not Mix Cleaners:
If you think mixing home remedy ingredients will produce a stronger-cleaning solution, think again – you can create a dangerous mixture that threatens not only your flooring, but also your health. For example, mixing bleach and ammonia together creates the same effect as chlorine gas.
Resources
[1] Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things by Reader’s Digest; pg. 291.
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