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How to clean grout on tile floors
Have you been looking at the grout between your tile flooring and thinking, “that’s not the colour it used to be”? Dust, dirt and mineral deposits can build up in the porous material between your tiles over time causing discolouration. Follow these steps and your tile floors will be looking new again before you know it.
Step 1: Start with time and patience
Cleaning grout is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it could take hours to scrub those fine lines between your bathroom floor tiles. Before you start, make sure you have enough time and patience to complete the job. Otherwise, you may end up with an inconsistent appearance to your tile floor. If possible, recruit help from friends or family, especially if you have a large surface area of very small tiles.
Step 2: Find the right cleaning solution
Professional grade grout cleaners are available at home improvement stores and should be used according to package directions. However, you can also try a D.I.Y. cleaning solution that includes ingredients you may already have tucked away in your cabinets at home.
- Baking soda, water and vinegar
Mix 3 parts of baking soda to 1 part water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the grout and spray with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing. Warning: do not use vinegar if your tiles are made of natural stone such as marble or limestone.
- Bleach
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of oxygenated bleach in 2 cups of warm water. Test a small, hidden section of the floor for colourfastness before continuing. If safe to use, pour the bleach solution onto the grout. Let the solution sit for several minutes before scrubbing.
- Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap
Mix ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon dish soap. Test a small, hidden section of the floor for colourfastness before continuing. If safe to use, apply the paste to the grout with a brush and let sit for 15 minutes. You may see a bubbling reaction as the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide interact.
Step 3: Use the right cleaning tools
Start with gloves, especially if you decide to use a chemical agent like bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Use a sturdy container for your cleaning solution.
Grout can sometimes disintegrate if scrubbed too vigorously, so it’s important to use the right tools while you are cleaning. Try to use the least amount of friction possible to achieve the results you are looking for. If you are using a chemical agent, scrub less and trust the chemicals to do their work.
If you’re using a natural cleaning agent, you may need some extra scrubbing power. In that case, use something with stiff bristles like a toothbrush. For larger areas, you can buy brushes with handles or ones that attach to an electric drill.
Finally, use a mop or towel to clean up afterwards.
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