It's important to know how to clean grout, whether it's tiles or walls. The tile itself looks fine, but the grout can be more difficult to work with.
The problem with grout is that it can be porous and prone to staining. In addition, the humid atmosphere in the bathroom in particular allows mold to grow and discolour the joints. Not only does it look ugly, but the spores of this nuisance can be bad for the family's health.
To restore grout to its original white or other hue, we've put together a guide of cleaning tips so you can tackle grout with expert advice from professionals.
How to clean feet
If you're wondering how to clean grout, it's probably cement-based grout, something to keep in mind next time you're tiling your bathroom wall or even the kitchen. According to the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), epoxy grout is "virtually as stain resistant as tile." These are the grout stain methods.
1. Clean the grout with a detergent solution
The answer to the question of how to clean grout can be very simple. Just cleaning it with water along with the tile itself may be enough. However, you may need a little more and if so, prepare a solution of dish soap and water and apply with a microfiber cloth or a microfiber mop in the case of mosaic tiles. Remove any residue by rinsing with warm water.
2. Use a brush to scrub the grout
If grout stains persist, it's time to get to work. Wet the grout with warm water, then use a stiff brush (you can buy grout cleaning brushes on Amazon ) to work along the lines to clean the grout. If effort alone isn't enough, use an alkaline cleaner in combination with the stiff brush, or a dedicated grout cleaner (we like Grout Eez ) plus a brush as directed. Be sure to rinse well afterwards.
For a less strenuous alternative, you might want to take a cue from Bill Samuel of Blue Ladder Development , the home rehabilitation specialist, and get yourself a wick brush. "It's much easier to clean joints than by hand," he says.
3. Clean the tile joints with a workshop vacuum cleaner
If you own a shop vacuum, this can be a great solution for cleaning grout on floor tiles. Apply an alkaline cleaner according to the product directions, then use a vacuum to pick up the dirty water, TCNA recommends. The vacuum not only removes water, but also removes dirt from the joints.
Then rinse and vacuum again to avoid leaving a soapy film, experts say.
4. Clean mortar with steam
A steam cleaner can be an effective method when it comes to cleaning grout. If you dampen the joints, then it is again a matter of strength when you lift the dirt from the surface with the stiff brush.
5. Treat mold in mortar
Mold can thrive in damp bathrooms and is most commonly found in grout. If black areas remain after cleaning the grout like above, this is probably the culprit. To fix this problem, use a special grout remover.
Remember to use bleach? Keep in mind that bleach can stain grout. It can also weaken it over time, so that's not the solution.
How do professionals clean joints?
Professionals approach the pointing with special equipment. "We professionally clean grout by first inspecting it, then pre-spraying heavily soiled areas, and then using a high-pressure hot water cleaning process to remove embedded dirt and grime," says Diana Rodriguez-Zaba, president of the cleaning company. ServiceMaster recovery from Zaba .
"This is followed by a gentle rinse with clean water, which also draws out excess water. After the grout has been fully cleaned and dried we usually apply a sealer to make the grout resistant to spills and stains and to make it easier to clean in the future.
Wondering if you should call someone for grout cleaning? "Hiring a professional can be helpful if your grout is particularly dirty or if you just don't have enough time to do it yourself," says Bailey Carson, home care expert at Angi . "Professionals also have access to more specialized cleaning tools like steam mops, which can clean your floors more thoroughly than you can by hand."
Does vinegar damage your feet?
Vinegar cleaning is not the best option for grout. This is because mortar contains cement that dissolves with acids, and vinegar is acidic. Therefore, a strong vinegar solution could be harmful to the grout and keep in mind that it can also damage stone tiles.
If you're using a store-bought cleaner, an alkaline version is what you need — the TCNA suggests products like Spic and Span or Mr. Clean , or use one of the methods above. Cleaners that TCNA says to avoid are oil- and wax-based versions that leave a film that can attract dirt.
