How to Clean Grout Stains
Having a sparkly clean bathroom is not always an easy feat to accomplish. Neither is it an enjoyable task. If your bathroom has tile on the floors or shower, then your cleaning list is a bit longer than most. Cleaning the grout between the tiles is important, as that is where mold and bacteria will grow and discolor the grout, making your clean bathroom look a bit dingy.
There are numerous ways to make the cleaning of grout easier without resorting to harsh chemicals. But bear in mind that hiring a professional cleaning company is a good idea a few times a year to fully disinfect and sterilize the grout and remove those tougher stains that can appear over time.
Homemade Grout Cleaners
You can make your own kid and pet safe cleaners with what you have in your pantry. These methods will need an extra bit of elbow grease though, as they are not as strong as chemical cleaners you can buy at the store.
- Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Baking Soda
- Dish soap
- Mouthwash/ rubbing Alcohol
- Epsom salts
- Hydrogen peroxide
You can also make your own cleaners with chemicals like Oxygen Bleach, and Liquid Bleach and combine them with Vinegar, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide for a stronger cleaner.
Store-Bought Cleaners
There’s always a mountainous selection of cleaners at the store to choose from to help you power through tough stains and get a deep level of cleaning done for your home. Be sure to follow the safety instructions on the bottles to keep yourself and everyone else safe.
Steps to Clean Grout Stains
Many store bought cleaners come with directions for use. As for homemade cleaners, you can use the same directions when cleaning.
Step 1:
Clean the area with clean warm water.
Step 2:
Apply the cleaning solution to the grout and gentle scrub into the grout with a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush.
Step 3:
Let the solution sit for 10 to 15 minutes. You can leave it for longer if whitening grout to get brighter results.
Step 4:
Rinse away the solution with warm water and dry with a towel.
Step 5:
Repeat steps 2 through 4 if needed.
When cleaning grout in showers, it’s best to use a clean spray bottle to apply your solutions to assist in speeding up the process, and making sure it is only applied where you want it to be.
It is important to note that you should never use any brush with metal bristles, as this could damage the grout and leave little crevices for mold and bacteria to grow in.
Using Grout Brighteners
After giving your grout a good cleaning, you can touch it up with a grout brightener if you have white grout between your tiles. Be sure to follow the instructions for commercial grout brighteners.
Protecting Your Freshly Cleaned Grout
Now that you’ve put in a lot of hard work cleaning and brightening your grout, how should you protect it from getting stained and dirty again? Regular cleaning will help prevent any mold and stains from setting into your grout, and keeping it dry will inhibit the growth of mold spores.
Using the bathroom vents, or opening windows when showering or washing the family dog will help the excess moisture escape and allow the room to dry more quickly. Giving the tile a quick wipe down with a dry towel or sponge mop will remove excess water and keep things nice and dry.
After doing all the cleaning and brightening, you can apply a thin layer of silicone caulk to help shield the grout from moisture, and keep them that sparkling white you worked hard to achieve.
Related Content >> 5 Natural Ways to Clean Your Tile Floors
Routine Cleaning, Repair and Replacements
While doing the cleaning yourself will go a long way in extending the life of your grout and tiles, it’s always best to hire a tile cleaning Orlando professional to come in and repair, replace and treat your tiles and grout. They have the tools, knowledge and experience to get the job done quickly and properly without costly mistakes. Call us today to see how we can help to clean your grout stains and restore a clean and polished look to your home again!