best way to clean grout between ceramic tiles

User ReviewedHow to Clean Grout Between Floor Tiles Four Methods:Using Baking Soda and VinegarCleaning with Oxygenated BleachCleaning Grout with Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda, and Dish SoapCleaning Grout with a Steam CleanerCommunity Q&A Even after mopping, tile floors with dirty grout may still look messy. You can make your floors look fresher by cleaning the grout between the tiles. This wikiHow will show you how to do that. Apply a paste made from baking soda and water to the grout. Spray it down with diluted vinegar. Scrub it with a brush, rinse it, then wipe it dry. Pour a solution made from oxygenated bleach and warm water onto the grout. Scrub it with a brush, rinse it, then mop it up. Use a brush to scrub a paste made from hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap into the grout. Rinse it out, then mop it up. Rent or purchase a steam cleaner. Steam the floor following the instructions on the cleaner. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Mix 3 parts of baking soda to 1 part water to make a thick paste.
This versatile cleaner will work with all colors of grout, but vinegar can be harmful to some natural stones such as marble or limestone. Apply the paste to the grout lines with your finger. Although the baking soda isn’t harmful, wearing rubber gloves can help prevent scratches or irritated skin from the abrasive grout and baking soda. Make a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Wait for the solution to stop bubbling. Scrub the grout lines with a brush. Use a nylon bristled scrub brush, or a toothbrush, to scrub along each grout line. Pay close attention to corners and edges to make these areas clean as well. Mop the floor with plain water. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of oxygenated bleach into 2 cups of warm water. Test a hidden corner of the grout before cleaning the entire floor. Pour the oxygen bleach solution onto the grout. Use a nylon bristle brush to scrub the oxygen bleach solution into the grout lines. Allow the oxygen bleach solution to sit on the grout for several minutes for optimum results.
Scrub the grout with the brush back and forth. Be sure to scrub in corners and around the floor’s edges as dirt and grime tends to accumulate here. Dip the brush into the oxygenated bleach powder to increase cleaning power. If you find a stain that is darker or more noticeable, a stronger solution of oxygen bleach can be made by dipping your wet brush directly into the oxygen bleach powder. NOTE Pour a small amount of the powder into a separate container to avoid mixing water into your main container of oxygen bleach powder. Rinse the floor with water and dry.Mix ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon dish soap. This highly effective paste cleans the grout in three ways:[3] The baking soda works as a natural abrasive to scrub the grout. The hydrogen peroxide chemically reacts with the baking soda releasing bleaching oxygen ions. The dish soap helps loosen dirt and remove grease. NOTE: The bleaching action of the chemical reaction may affect colored grout.
Test a hidden corner before cleaning the entire floor. Apply the paste with a nylon bristled brush. Let the mixture sit on the grout for 15 minutes.commercial carpet cleaning colorado springs Rinse the grout with warm or hot water to remove all of the solution. portable steam cleaner indiaPour a small amount of water directly onto the tile floor to rinse the solution off the grout.best automatic pool cleaner above ground pool Use caution as wet tiled floors can be very slippery.carpet cleaning machine melbourne Use a rag to wipe the grout to remove any leftover residue or dirt.carpet cleaning cost calculator
Mop the floor with clean water.Steam cleaners can effectively clean and sanitize all types of tiles and grouts as there are no chemicals involved. best carpet cleaner manhattanVisit your local home improvement store to find a machine to rent or buy. Make sure that the steam cleaner you acquire has the proper attachments for cleaning grout:[4] Follow the manufacturer’s directions to assemble and fill the steam cleaner. Fill the reservoir with clean water to the fill line according to the manual’s instructions. Turn the steam cleaner on and allow it to heat up. Move the cleaning brush back and forth over the grout. Use a towel or mop to wipe up the excess moisture after cleaning. You should always test a new cleaner or cleaning solution on an inconspicuous spot to make sure it is not going to damage your grout or tile. When using baking soda or oxygen bleach solutions, don’t make more than you need because these solutions can lose their potency quickly.
After cleaning the grout, apply a sealant to keep it cleaner longer. Do not use a hard bristled brush like a steel or wire brush because this may break and damage the grout Don’t use vinegar on any real marble, granite, travertine, or other natural stone because it might etch the surface and cause permanent damage. The grout used with these surfaces should only be cleaned with a ph neutral solution.Tile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout? That’s a different story. Because of its (typically) light coloring and porous composition, grout is prone to staining. In a tiled entry or mudroom, dirt and grime are the usual culprits, while in the kitchen, spills are more likely to blame. Soap, mold, and mildew meanwhile make it difficult to maintain clean grout in bathrooms. Fortunately, white grout is possible using only common household products and a bit of elbow grease—and this complete guide for how to clean grout. With any cleaning project, it’s always best to start off with the mildest cleaning solution.
When in doubt about a grout cleaner, test it in a hidden spot—on the lines behind or under an appliance, for example. The following suggestions for cleaning grout are ranked from the mildest to the strongest: • The best way to begin is with plain water and a stiff-bristled brush. (If you don’t have one already, most home centers and hardware stores carry an assortment of brushes specifically designed for the purpose of cleaning grout.) Simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then let dry. • For heavier dirt and mild stains, turn to vinegar, a trusty old standby for many household chores. Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray on the grout, let it stand for five minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush. • To bring even more cleaning power to the party, cover grout lines with a paste of baking soda and water, then spray on the vinegar solution listed above. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush and rinse with plain water.
• Moderate stains may require you to use hydrogen peroxide, which is available in most drug stores. You can use the product straight, or apply a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. • For tougher stains and really grimy grout, use oxygen bleach as a grout cleaner. You’ll find this cleanser is most often sold in powdered form; best-selling brands include OxiClean, Clorox OxiMagic, and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus. Whatever product you choose to clean grout, make sure the area is well-ventilated then carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application. Generally, you will want to let the oxygen bleach solution work for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water so that the dirt doesn’t resettle into the grout lines. • Chlorine bleach and commercial cleansers can be used sparingly in extreme cases to clean grout. One of my go-to products when all else fails is Clorox Clean-Up spray. Long-term use of caustic cleaners will erode grout, though, so these products should be used on a limited basis.
• Steam cleaners can be an effective and environmentally-friendly method of cleaning grout—or, for that matter, many hard surfaces throughout the house. Bissell, Oreck, and Hoover all make steam cleaners for residential use. To keep your grout clean and stain-free, it’s a good idea to spray it with vinegar and wipe it down once a week. You can also wipe grout with alcohol to keep mold and mildew at bay. In any case, just a few spritzes and wipes a week can save you a lot of time and effort cleaning, preserving the attractive appearance of your home in the process. For more on cleaning, consider: How To: Clean Stainless Steel Bob Vila Radio: Pressure Washing Cleaning Green: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products for Your Home There’s no way around it: Keeping the house clean demands your time, your energy, and even some of your money. Fortunately, this arsenal of cleaning tips can help you finish the housekeeping more quickly—and with fewer commercially sold products.