How to Clean Your Floor and Tile Grout – A Deep-Cleaning Guide
Keeping your floors and tile grout clean is essential for maintaining a fresh and polished look in your home. Over time, dirt, stains, and grime can settle into grout lines, making even the cleanest floors appear dull and aged. This guide will provide you with various solutions and steps that are easy, quick, and effective on how to clean the grout properly so your floors can shine. From various DIY grout cleaning tips to deep-cleaning tile grout, let’s learn everything about removing these stains!
What is Grout?
The filler paste applied between tiles to maintain their structural integrity and keep debris from seeping in is known as grout. It is primarily made with a mixture of sand, cement, and water.
There are commonly two types of grouts that are used:
- Sanded Grout: Used for wider spaces between tiles, it is durable and often found in high-traffic areas.
- Unsanded Grout: Since it doesn’t include sand, unsanded grouts are often used for narrower gaps and work well for vertical surfaces as well, like backsplash.
Despite its functionality, grout is highly porous and can absorb liquids, dirt, and contaminants if left unsealed or poorly maintained. This makes it prone to discoloration and staining.
Why and How Does Grout Get Dirty?
Grout’s highly porous nature makes it great for securing tiles strongly, but also makes it prone to buildup and staining.
Daily Wear and Tear
In high traffic areas such as the kitchen and drawing room areas, dirt and debris are bound to fall off from shoes and settle into the grout lines. Over time, this buildup causes grime and discoloration.
Spills and Stains
Kitchen floors are particularly vulnerable to spills from food, grease, or beverages. These substances penetrate grout’s porous surface, leading to stubborn stains.
Moisture and Mold
Grouts are the most vulnerable in bathrooms as the constant exposure to moisture and heat provide the ideal environment for mold to grow and thrive. Overtime, not only does this lead to darkened grouts but also poses a potential health risk. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides comprehensive information on indoor air quality and the health implications of mold exposure, along with preventive measures.
Improper Cleaning
Using improper cleaning techniques or harsh chemicals can weaken the grout’s surface, compromise its structural integrity, or fail to effectively clean it.
Pro Tip: Gentle scrubbing in circular motions is recommended to lift dirt effectively without damage.
Preventive Measures
Understanding what grout is is key to maintain grout cleanliness. Daily wiping, sweeping, and cleaning can prevent the dirt and stains from settling in. Basic knowledge of cleaning techniques lays the foundation for effective grout maintenance.
Best Ways to Clean Grout for Long-Lasting Results
Cleaning grout isn’t just about aesthetic but also preserving your tiles’ structural integrity and saving your pocket from the cost of expensive replacements. To achieve lasting results, use high-quality grout-cleaning products and appropriate techniques. Here are some effective methods:
Natural Dish Soap
Dish soap is one of our favorite products to use far beyond the kitchen sink. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water for an effective grout cleaning agent.
How to use:
- Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a large cup.
- Apply the mixture to the grout using a sponge.
- Grab a handheld grout brush (or, if you’re in a pinch, an old toothbrush) and give the grout a good scrub. Rinse when you’re done!
Bon Ami Natural Cleaner
If your stains need a more heavy duty scrub down, we highly recommend Bon Ami, a natural cleaner that is both inexpensive and very effective. Bon Ami is completely nontoxic and lightly abrasive, making it an excellent option for scrubbing grout in the bathroom or the kitchen.
How to use:
- Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water.
- Dip your sponge in the vinegar and water solution.
- Apply a sprinkle of Bon Ami to the scrubber side of the sponge.
- Gently scrub the grout and rinse when finished.
Pro Tip: Make sure to avoid vinegar on marble and natural stone, as it erodes the surface.
Removing Grout Stains with Natural Cleaners
Harsh chemicals aren’t always necessary when cleaning grout. DIY solutions to clean that stubborn grout can effectively tackle grout stains while being eco-friendly.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a gentle bleaching agent that can help lighten up the stains and help restore the grout’s original color.
How to use:
- Squeeze lemon juice directly over the grout.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to loosen dirt and bleach the stains.
- Rinse with warm water.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is famous for its antifungal properties, making it an amazing option to clean out bathroom tiles that are prone to mold and mildew.
How to use:
- Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with your favorite nontoxic all purpose cleaner.
- Spray the solution over the grout and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Wipe away any residue with a damp cloth and rinse off.
Professional Insights for Grout Cleaning
While DIY methods are effective, they may not be the best way to clean grout, and you may consider calling the professionals for help. Professional grout cleaning services can provide exceptional results and save a significant amount of your time and elbow grease.
Why Professional Cleaning is worth it
- A good professional housekeeping service will know the best product to use for your grout without damaging any of the tile.
- Deep Cleaning Grout can be quite labor intensive and may consume a lot of time. Outsourcing the cleaning lets you get the job done without spending hours scrubbing.
Book a trusted cleaning facility like Vella, as the professionals with their knowledge know best and make your grout shiny and polished.
Preventative Care for Clean Grout
Simple habits can maintain grout cleanliness and reduce the need for deep cleaning. Incorporate these tips to keep your grout and tiles looking pristine:
Sweep and Mop Regularly
Sweeping clears loose dirt and debris from grout, while mopping with warm water helps loosen and remove dirt, preventing buildup.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals often erode the surface of the grout and weaken or discolor it. Moreover, some chemicals leave residue over the surface which can attract more dust and cause buildup.
Usage of Floor Mats
High-traffic areas like the kitchen or hallways can benefit from rugs and mats to prevent dirt from shoes from getting into the grout and causing buildup. Mats are also easier to wash than cleaning grout.
Wipe Off Spills Immediately
Liquid and spills can get into grout’s porous surface easily and stain or cause griminess. Cleaning it as soon as possible exposes the grout to the spill for minimal time and prevents stubborn stains.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Cleaning Grout
Everyone’s a beginner at some point and can make mistakes, and grout cleaning is no exception. While it may seem very straightforward, missteps can occur and can cause more harm than good. Here are some mistakes to avoid while cleaning grout.
Excess Water
Grout is highly porous and can absorb a large amount of water and create a moist environment. This can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow and thrive, especially in bathrooms.
Avoid this by drying the grout and surrounding tile after rinsing to remove any excessive moisture.
Scrubbing Aggressively
Aggressive scrubbing with abrasive pads can wear down grout, weaken its structure, and cause cracking or crumbling over time, leading to costly repairs.
A soft-bristled brush is preferred to scrub gently. If you use an abrasive, choose a gentle one like Bon Ami, and never use steel wool on tile.
Conclusion
Keeping grouts clean doesn’t just enhance the aesthetics of your home! It also helps maintain your tiles’ structural strength and integrity. Understanding the core concept of grout cleaning and how it is to be done is therefore essential to anyone who cares for their home.
Regular maintenance ensures your grout stays clean and durable. For a hassle-free experience, trust our professional cleaning services at Vella. Our expertise not only keeps your grout in top condition but also helps you avoid costly repairs. Explore our website to discover our services and articles highlighting the importance of professional cleaning.