The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning Grout
Many people love the look of tile; it’s a beautiful floor covering that offers durability, versatility, and an array of stunning patterns. Unfortunately, tile also comes with those annoying grout lines that can be a big pain to clean. Dirt, grime, and even the occasional spill can drastically change the color of your grout from light and beautiful to dark and grubby. This transformation may be disheartening, but fear not – there is a solution!
If you have ever wondered how professionals are able to get your grout clean, here are a few tricks of the trade:
Gather the Right Supplies
Cleaning your grout lines doesn’t have to be terribly difficult. In fact, you don’t even need any fancy cleaners. Most people have everything they need to keep their grout lines clean at home. Your pantry likely holds the ingredients you need to make an effective cleaning solution and paste to tackle even the toughest messes.
First and foremost, you need an excellent stiff-bristled brush. Make sure that it is extremely durable and comfortable for you to hold. The most important part of cleaning your grout is the amount of elbow grease that you are going to need to put into it. You’ll be holding onto this brush for a long period of time so it needs to be comfortable for your hand and wrist.
From here, you will only need two additional ingredients: vinegar and baking soda. Distilled white vinegar usually works best for tackling stains, but apple cider vinegar will work as well. If you dislike the smell of the vinegar, feel free to place it in a spray bottle with a few drops of your favorite essential oil.
Cleaning the Grout Lines
Once you have your ingredients put together, it’s time to get started. If your tile is not too grimy, you can start with warm water and your stiff-bristled brush. This might be sufficient to get those grout lines clean if they are used to being cleaned on a regular basis. If not, you might need to move onto step two.
Mix up a batch of baking soda and water until it forms a thick paste. It should be roughly the consistency of toothpaste. Smear this mixture over all of your grout lines and then spray with vinegar. This should result in foaming and lets you know that it’s doing its work.
When the foaming dies down, use your scrub brush and a lot of muscle power to scrub the baking soda into your tile and grout lines. Rinse well with plain water.
If you still have a few leftover stains, you can apply hydrogen peroxide or oxygen bleach for up to fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly with fresh, clean water when the timer goes off.
Getting the Grime Out of Grout
Getting the grime out of your grout lines can be a real chore, but it is possible to remove those stubborn stains. If you want some help getting your tile floors spic and span, be sure to call FreshStart Cleaning Service for experienced tile and grout cleaning in Daphne, AL!
