One of the most important parts of your porcelain, stone or ceramic floor is the thin, sandy strip between each of the tiles that is known as grout. Without it anything that you drop or spill on your floor would creep between the tiles. However, it is important to understand that grout is porous, which means that it can absorb liquids, dirt and dust. This means that you will need to clean and maintain it so that it will continue to be clean and look nice too.
The First Steps For Cleaning Grout Tile
The first thing that you are going to want to do whenever you are finally ready to clean your grout tile is to either sweep or Swiffer the floor. Make sure that you wipe up any spills and then vacuum the floor so that you remove any debris, lint or hair from the surface.
Preparing Your Cleaning Solution
Once the tile floor is clean you will want to combine one cup of oxygen bleach in two gallons of hot water. Try this solution in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that it will remove the stains without harming your tile in any way.
Cleaning Grout Tile
Whenever you are sure that this solution will work on your tile you will want to wet your mop with the solution and then mop your floor. Allow it to dry completely before taking a small piece of sandpaper and gently rub it along your grout line. This can also be done with a clean pencil eraser if you don’t have any sandpaper available.
Leftover Stains
If the stain still isn’t gone, you can make a thick paste out of baking soda and tap water. You will want to use either a toothbrush or a grout brush to gently scrub the area. Make sure that you use a circular motion whenever you do this so that you will be able to remove even more debris. Whenever you are done, you should clean the area with clean water and a soft, dry rag.
Other Cleaning Options
Sometimes baking soda isn’t strong enough to clean the grout stains that occur. In this case you can try a multi-purpose household cleaner. Simply spray or pour it onto the grout before scrubbing it with a toothbrush. Once you are done you will want to rinse it well with clean water and a dry rag. Your other option is to pour or squirt some commercial grout cleaner onto the grout and then allow it to sit there for five minutes before you gently scrub it with a toothbrush. Make sure that you rinse this well with clean water and then use a dry, soft rag to pat the area dry.
Cleaning Grout In Molded And Mildew Areas
If the grout that you are trying to clean is located in your bathroom, then you will want to use a special solution. You can either use a solution of one part vinegar and two parts water or you can use one party hydrogen peroxide and two parts water. Regardless of which solution you choose to use, you will want to thoroughly mist this tile before rinsing it and allowing it to dry. It is important to only make enough of this solution for the job that you are doing because if you allow it to sit for too long it will no longer work.
Conclusion
Regardless as to where the grout you are cleaning is located, you have probably noticed how easily stains occur simply because you have spilled something. Unfortunately, these stains cannot simply be removed by scrubbing them. However, with the method that is listed above, you can easily return your grout to close to the same condition that it was in whenever it was brand new.
