5 best ways to clean grout on floor tiles
Cleaning is a chore when maintaining a house, but deep cleaning is necessary once every couple of weeks. This doesn’t mean simply vacuuming carpets and furniture but using several tips and tricks to remove dust and dirt from each house corner, including tiles and grout. These surfaces collect all the dirt and need regular and rigorous cleaning to ensure you live in a hygienic environment. Here are some tips to follow.
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are popular and effective methods of cleaning tiles and grout. Here’s what you need to do:
- Mix some hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a runny paste.
- Use a brush to apply this paste to the surface.
- Then, apply the same brush to scrub off the dirt thoroughly.
This is a straightforward method to clean tile or grout. Also, another natural way to clean involves mixing vinegar, lemon, and baking soda that can be applied to the surface. Lemon is known for its mild bleaching properties, and baking soda helps make it a slightly thick paste that can easily be scrubbed. Also, be careful that the more baking soda you use, the white residue gets left behind. So you can wash it off with water.
Sweeping and mopping
One of the easiest and most natural ways to clean the tiles and grout is to sweep and mop regularly. You can add natural cleaning agents like lemon or vinegar to the water and mop the floor squeaky clean. If you would like, you can add some fragrance, like some essential oils, to the cleaning water to help get a fresh smell after the cleanup. You can choose an essential oil like rosemary, lavender, or anything citrusy.
Zep Grout cleaner and brightener
This is a product specifically used for cleaning grout. This product comes in different sizes and is used by tipping the bottle and letting the watery liquid run onto the dirty surface. Let the ingredients work their magic, and you will notice some dirt breaking down and foaming. It takes a couple of minutes to reach this stage, so be ready to scrub this surface with a hard brush and rub vigorously to get the grime out of those pores. Applying the liquid using a brush or an old cloth rag is advised if you need to clean walls.
This product is known for its concentrated set of ingredients that work to break down the grime, so it is essential to be careful of any side effects it may have on your health. Always wear cleaning gloves when dealing with these chemical products and safety eyewear like goggles to ensure the fumes do not affect you. You can also choose to wear a mask if necessary. This is available at any home depot store, online or offline.
Oxygen bleach
This is another easy way to remove tough stains from tiles and grout. Oxygen bleach is available in most home depot stores in a powdered form. Some popular brands sell oxygen bleach, like OxiClean or Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus, so check which works best for your requirements. Since this is another chemical method to remove the dirt, it is advised to follow safety precautions like wearing gloves, protective eyewear, and a face mask to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes. It is also recommended that the room be well-ventilated when performing this cleaning task. Every oxygen bleach bottle will have specific instructions written at the back of the pack, so follow them to the T. Once you have applied the mixer onto the surface, allow it to sit for at least 10-15 mins till it breaks down the dirt. Then use clean water to mop and dry the surface before any new dirt can settle into the pores or gaps.
Steam cleaning
There are some steam mops available in the market which are known to be effective and are also advertised as environmentally friendly. These do not require you to use toxic chemicals to clean the surface. Brands like Bissell, Hoover, and Oreck are popular for their steam mops which help to remove dirt from porous grout and even gaps between tiles.
Conclusion
Cleaning grout starts with good prevention techniques, including resealing the grout as necessary, cleaning any kitchen spills immediately, or using a mild homemade grout cleaner. It is always recommended to set up regular cleaning of the surfaces to prevent any stains from leaving a permanent mark. Although natural cleaning agents can be used regularly, and when any stubborn stains need extra care, popular cleaning brands can be tested for results.