It seems like you can find grout everywhere in a house: tile floors, kitchen backsplashes, bathtubs, showers, and countertops. And at some point the dirt gets stuck in the joints. So the key to a spotless home lies in mastering the art of grout cleaning. How can you clean dirty tile grout?
Photo: Jakub Ustrzycki/Shutterstock
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We’ll look at common methods for cleaning grout lines and give you our best tips for cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. You can get your joints clean again in a flash!
Clean dirty tile joints with a steam cleaner
Photo: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock
It’s a blessing to have a steam cleaner on hand because it works wonders on grout lines. Afterwards, your joints will be clean and fresh because the high temperature of the steam has dissolved dirt and impurities. Before attaching a small brush – preferably a ball-shaped one – to your steam cleaner, fill it with water. Use a light motion to run the steam cleaner over the joints and scrub them. The spots should begin to fade. Repeat the process if necessary.
Hydrogen peroxide is a miracle weapon
You can purchase hydrogen peroxide at any pharmacy and apply it to moderate stains as needed. Joints, whether sealed or unsealed, can usually be safely cleaned with the agent.
hydrogen peroxide and baking soda
To remove dirt and debris from the joints, spray them with hot water and clean them with a strong-bristled brush. An old toothbrush works great for this. Spray and scrape in a circular motion along the grout line. Another option is to use a steam cleaner, which is very effective at cleaning grout lines, as mentioned earlier. A grout cleaning paste can be made by mixing equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. A few drops of dish soap can be helpful for cleaning grout lines in areas prone to grease buildup, such as the kitchen. Dab the joints with the homemade cleaning agent and let it work for about ten to fifteen minutes. The grout lines will appear cleaner and brighter if you give the cleaner a chance to penetrate the pores. If dirt has settled in the joints, you can remove it by scrubbing with a brush. After a while the joint should look like new. When you’re finished cleaning, rinse the tiles and remove any grout cleaner residue by mixing a few drops of dish soap with hot water and using a sponge or towel.
Use a paste of baking soda (or baking soda) and vinegar
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Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. After applying a paste of baking soda and water to the grout lines, spray them with the vinegar solution. Brush the liquid until it stops foaming, then rinse the tiles with water and dry them.
Tipp: Be careful not to use vinegar if the joints have not been sealed.
Methods for cleaning grout with whitening toothpaste
For this method you will need an old toothbrush or scrubber and strong whitening toothpaste. A whitening toothpaste is suitable for both teeth and joints. This is because it contains sodium bicarbonate, an effective stain removing component. Scrub the grout lines to remove stubborn stains. Then rinse them carefully with warm water and then dry them with a fresh towel.
Clean tile joints in the bathroom and kitchen with lemon juice
Because of their acidity, lemons make an excellent cleaning agent: for best results, use them on stained or discolored grout. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the joints. Let the juice sit for 15 minutes, then scrub the grout lines with a clean, old toothbrush. Gently rinse the joints with warm water and then dry them with a fresh towel.
Get the joints white again with bleach
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Bleach is one of the best solutions to remove the top layer of stubborn dirt and mold from the grout.
Please pay attention to the following: If you use too much bleach, it can affect the color of your grout, so save it for really tough stains. Make sure the room is well ventilated by opening all doors and windows before starting work.
When dealing with cleaning tile grout, there are two methods to use bleach. For a more natural approach, you can put some bleach in a cup and clean with an old toothbrush dipped in the bleach.
Mix baking soda and bleach into a paste that has a similar consistency to toothpaste. Apply the paste and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then scrub the grout and finally rinse the tiles thoroughly.
Also read: Cleaning windows in spring: With a simple trick you can complete this task quickly!