How to Clean Grout on Tile Floors

Some kitchens, bathrooms and entryways into homes have smaller square tiles and that means there is grout in between the titles which means they will get dirt from people walking over them, cooking grease and bathroom steam building mould and mildew.

There are several commercial brands of grout cleaner available at the stores that will do a good job such as the oxygenated bleaching agent OxyClean.

Step 1: Begin with a homemade mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water and simply spray with a spray bottle and mop up. This will take care of light stains and help to keep the mould and mildew away for long periods of time. The mixture calls for 1 ½ cups of warm water with ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed together in a spray bottle.

Step 2: Other people swear by baking soda to clean their grout between tiles. They simply sprinkle the baking soda on the grout and then use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar to moisten the area, allowing it to set for a few minutes, then us a stiff bristled brush to clean all the grim and stains from the grout. When done, rinse with plain water. Many people may say to use a toothbrush, however they are not strong enough and will not stand up to the intense scrubbing to get the job done right the first time.

Step 3: Steam is a big deal when it comes to removing dirt and grim in addition to helping clear away bacteria from between the tiles so when an individual is walking on the tile floor with bare feet, they will not pick up whatever is lingering on the grout or tiles. No need to purchase expensive steam cleaning machines, simply use a hand held iron on the steam setting and hold it above the grout about an inch or so, allowing the steam to fall on the grout and penetrate the stuck in grime and dirt. Simply wipe up with a soft cloth or damp mop when finished.

There are also several methods for cleaning gout that has added sealer to it. The sealer will help to keep most of the dirt and stains away; however it will still need to be cleaned on a regular basis.

With two buckets of warm water, add oxygenated bleach to one and leave the other as a rinse bucket. Use a mop to liberally apply the oxygenated bleach water to the sealed grout and tiles, allowing it to soak for approximately 30 minutes. Use a scrub brush to get deep stains and dirt out of the grout and then use the clean water to rinse off the bleach and dirt. Air drying is best.

In order to keep grout clean and dirt free, some people clean it using one of the above mentioned methods, then go over the grout with a specially made grout or cement paint which repels dirt, grime, and stains.