Easy DIY Ways to Clean Grout

When cleaning tile walls and floors, you’ll find it much more difficult to get the grout clean than the tile itself. This means you need to pay some extra special attention to the grout.

What you’re cleaning off depends primarily on where the grout is located. In bathrooms, you’re probably going to be dealing with mildew and mold. In the kitchen, mildew may be a possibility, but you’re also going to have to contend with spills from cooking. Finally, in mudrooms or entryways, you’re most likely to have to remove dirt and muck.

How often should grout be cleaned in South Amboy, NJ, and what are the best approaches for doing so? No matter what kind of debris you’re dealing with, a few simple steps will help you restore your grout to keep your tiled areas looking great. Here are a few strategies you might consider trying:

  • Simple warm water: Depending on the extent of the debris buildup, you may be able to get away with using just plain warm water and a stiff-bristle brush to scrub with. You can find such a brush at just about any hardware store or home center, and may even find options specifically designed for use on grout. Spray the water on the grout lines, scrub in a circular motion and then let it dry out.
  • Vinegar and water mixture: For slightly more significant buildup, you can use a 50/50 vinegar/water mixture and spray it on the grout. Let the mixture settle in for a few minutes before you start scrubbing with a stiff brush, using that same circular motion as described before.
  • Baking soda and vinegar: You can make the vinegar method even more powerful by creating a paste using baking soda and water, which you will apply to the grout lines. Once the paste is in place, spray on some vinegar. Wait until the area stops foaming before you start to scrub away with a stiff-bristle brush. You can then rinse the area with plain water and wipe away.
  • Steam cleaning: Steam cleaning can help you remove some of the worst grout stains in an environmentally-friendly manner.
  • Oxygen bleach: If there’s a thick buildup of grime on your grout, you can use oxygen bleach as a substitute for some of these other, milder cleaning products. You’ll generally find it in powdered form. Follow the instructions on the packaging, and make sure the area is well ventilated before you apply it. When finished with the solution, rinse the area with clean water.
  • Hydrogen peroxide: Some stains may be removable with hydrogen peroxide, which you can find in any drugstore. You can either create a paste by combining the product with baking soda, or just use the product on its own.
  • Chlorine bleach: Chlorine bleach can be used in rare circumstances if you’re dealing with extreme buildup. Make sure you rinse away any other cleaning products you use before trying it to avoid toxic reactions. In general, though, you should avoid using caustic cleaners unless absolutely necessary so you don’t erode the grout.

For more information about how to clean grout and how often grout should be cleaned in South Amboy, NJ, contact Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center today.