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4 Sure-Shot, DIY Ways to Clean Grout on Tiles
Grout is porous, hard to get to and prone to stains; however these homemade recipes can make cleaning it a breeze
No matter how beautiful your tiles may be at home, one issue that always remains is of stained grout – mould- and mildew-infested grout looks revolting. Of course, grout is important because it keeps tiles in place and prevents water from getting where it shouldn’t; but it can also be a pain to clean. These slim recessed lines usually get left out when you’re mopping, sweeping or vacuuming the floor on a regular basis. If you’re desperately looking for ways to keep these lines clean and neat, so your pretty tiles can get the attention they deserve, then look no further. Here are some homemade remedies to tackle the issue.
Hydrogen peroxide
Precaution: Hydrogen peroxide, when concentrated, can cause eye irritation and discomfort. Ideally, wear safety glasses while working with this chemical. Gloves are important as contact with moderate concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause whitening of the skin and a stinging sensation.
- 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush or toothbrush
Precaution: Hydrogen peroxide, when concentrated, can cause eye irritation and discomfort. Ideally, wear safety glasses while working with this chemical. Gloves are important as contact with moderate concentrations of hydrogen peroxide can cause whitening of the skin and a stinging sensation.
Oxygenated bleach
Take oxygenated bleach (this branded chemical can be bought online or at a supermarket, works slower than chlorine and is less corrosive and damaging to fibres) and mix it with warm water. Mix the solution thoroughly to ensure that the oxygen bleach is fully activated and bubbling. Now use this solution to clean the grout lines: scrub well and let it sit for a few minutes. Now wash with warm water.
Precaution: Don’t mix bleach with other acidic cleaning products, especially with vinegar, as the combination releases toxic gases. Always make sure the area where you’re using bleach in is well-ventilated. Bleach can also leave your hands coarse and dry – make sure you use gloves.
Here’s how to make all-natural, homemade cleaning products
- 2 tablespoons oxygenated bleach
- 2 cups warm water
- Scrub brush or toothbrush
Take oxygenated bleach (this branded chemical can be bought online or at a supermarket, works slower than chlorine and is less corrosive and damaging to fibres) and mix it with warm water. Mix the solution thoroughly to ensure that the oxygen bleach is fully activated and bubbling. Now use this solution to clean the grout lines: scrub well and let it sit for a few minutes. Now wash with warm water.
Precaution: Don’t mix bleach with other acidic cleaning products, especially with vinegar, as the combination releases toxic gases. Always make sure the area where you’re using bleach in is well-ventilated. Bleach can also leave your hands coarse and dry – make sure you use gloves.
Here’s how to make all-natural, homemade cleaning products
Epsom salt, baking soda and liquid hand wash
Mix together the Epsom salt, baking soda and any liquid soap. Apply the mixture onto the grout and scrub clean. Now rinse with warm water.
Precaution: Epsom salt has exfoliating properties, therefore can be harsh on the skin. It can even leave scratch marks on steel surfaces.
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup liquid hand wash
Mix together the Epsom salt, baking soda and any liquid soap. Apply the mixture onto the grout and scrub clean. Now rinse with warm water.
Precaution: Epsom salt has exfoliating properties, therefore can be harsh on the skin. It can even leave scratch marks on steel surfaces.
Grout sealer
If you don’t have the time to regularly tend to the grout, you could also look at other ways to make it look clean for longer.
Consider a commercial grout sealer that prevents spills from seeping into the pores of the grout and stops mould and mildew growth. You can purchase these online or at a flooring retailer.
If you don’t have the time to regularly tend to the grout, you could also look at other ways to make it look clean for longer.
Consider a commercial grout sealer that prevents spills from seeping into the pores of the grout and stops mould and mildew growth. You can purchase these online or at a flooring retailer.
Grout dyes
Sometimes keeping grout white isn’t practical because the collected grime starts showing quickly. You could consider dyeing the grout a different colour – like in this example, with the grout coloured light yellow. You could get in touch with your contractor, choose a shade that matches your tiles or a completely different colour for a contrasting effect.
Read more:
What’s the Difference Between Epoxy and Cement Grout?
Tell us:
How do you keep grout clean? Share your tips in Comments below.
Sometimes keeping grout white isn’t practical because the collected grime starts showing quickly. You could consider dyeing the grout a different colour – like in this example, with the grout coloured light yellow. You could get in touch with your contractor, choose a shade that matches your tiles or a completely different colour for a contrasting effect.
Read more:
What’s the Difference Between Epoxy and Cement Grout?
Tell us:
How do you keep grout clean? Share your tips in Comments below.
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First step: Take the spray bottle and fill it up with one cup vinegar and one cup water. Shake it and spray on the grout area. Let the solution sit for about five minutes. Now scrub the grout with the brush. Wash the area with warm water.
Second step: Take a bowl and make a paste with baking soda and water. Use this paste to scrub the grout. Spray the area again with the vinegar solution (explained above). The vinegar will cause the baking soda to bubble up and will soon produce a soapy scum. Scrub once again and get all the way into the grout lines to remove buildup. Rinse with warm water.
Precaution: Make sure you mix new solutions in clean containers and not risk mixing them with old chemicals. While preparing the two DIY mixes mentioned above, make sure the baking soda bottle and the mixed vinegar containers are kept away from children as when the two are combined inside a plastic water bottle, it can potentially burst, resulting in injury. Keep the vinegar solution away from aluminium or cast iron, since they are reactive surfaces.
Find out why baking soda is your home’s best friend