How to Clean Grout - Homemade Grout Cleaners
Grout is the material that is used to fill the joints between two tiles and to hold them in place. It is usually made of Portland cement, though epoxy and furan resin are also used to serve this purpose. Often, cleaning it is very hard, as this area tends to absorb dirt and grime, particularly if not sealed properly. Eventually you can see the development of stains, mold and mildew on the porous surface of grout. The problem of mildew would be more in damp and wet areas of the house like the bathroom and kitchen. The best way to keep the it free from stains and mildew is to clean them regularly in order to prevent stubborn stains and dirty mildew and mold from growing.
Removing Dirt and Mildew from Grout
As has been already mentioned, cleaning tile grout can be really difficult depending on how stubborn the stains or molds and mildews are. If you clean this area regularly along with the tile, then it would not be difficult to remove stains and grime. You can use a dishwashing detergent or a solution of water and mild soap for cleaning. Just apply them on the area and then scrub gently with a toothbrush or specially designed grout cleaning tools which are available in many stores.
However, for tougher stains, you will need a stronger cleaner. To make a strong cleaner, mix equal parts (about cup) of salt, baking soda and vinegar. Mix them properly and apply on the tile grout. Leave the mixture for about 5 to 10 minutes and then scrub the area with a brush. Then rinse them with plain water. Diluted vinegar can also be applied alone on the grout and can be rinsed with soap and plain water.
Lemon juice is another good natural cleaner, which can be mixed with baking soda for cleaning grout stains. In place of baking soda, you can also sprinkle some salt on a piece of lemon and then scrub the grout.
Bleach can also be used for cleaning grout, but it has been claimed that it can discolor them. Bleach is usually mixed with baking powder and then applied on the grout. This mixture is generally left for a few minutes and then cleaned with water after gently scrubbing the area with a brush.
Ammonia is another very strong chemical that can be applied on the grout. For this, you have to make a paste of ammonia, baking soda and vinegar and then dilute it with water and apply on the grout. Leave it for sometime and scrub gently. Finally, rinse it with water. However, while applying all these chemicals, always remember to wear gloves for protection.
The worst part of this cleaning is removing mildew. For removing mildew, bleach can be applied directly on the grout. But before putting bleach on the grout, clean the surface with water and also leave the bleach for a few minutes, if the mildew stains are very tough. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong chemical and is very effective for both mildew and mold removal. You can either use hydrogen peroxide alone, or make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. In either case, leave it on the surface for a few minutes. Then scrub gently and rinse with plain water. In the same way, baking soda and dishwashing detergent can be used, but this solution has to be left for a considerable time period. Rubbing alcohol can also be used for removing mildew stains.
In addition to proper cleaning, it is also important to seal the grout at regular intervals, as a porous grout is more likely to sustain stains and mildews. If you want to use commercial grout cleaning products, then it is advisable to follow manufacturers guidelines and to take the help of experts. Nowadays, many cleaning companies also provide professional grout cleaning services, which can be availed if the normal homemade and commercial cleaners fail to remove hard stains from your tile grout.
