How to Fix Dirty Grout on Tiles in the Bathroom
How to Fix Dirty Grout on Tiles in the Bathroom
Using simple household materials, some elbow grease, and these tried-and-tested methods, you can make the space between your tiles clean again, no matter how dirty it is.
Tile is elegant, long-lasting, and generally easy to maintain, but what about grout? That is another story. Grout is prone to stains since it is often light-coloured and porous. Dirt and filth are usually to blame in a tiled entryway or mudroom, while spills are more probable in the kitchen. Mould and mildew-infested grout in the bathroom is an issue for homeowners.
The good thing is that the most effective approach for cleaning it is inexpensive. It is possible to clean and restore your grout with basic household product like distilled white vinegar or a toothbrush, and of course, some elbow grease.
Before you start, know that the mildest, least harmful cleaning option on this list is the recommended one to pick when starting any grout-cleaning project. If it doesn’t work, you may proceed to the more intense, odiferous, and potentially time-consuming solutions on the list. If you’re not sure whether a certain grout cleaner is suitable for your surface, try it in a hidden location first—say, behind an appliance in the kitchen or behind the toilet in the bathroom.
Know the Different Types of Tile Grout
There are different types of grout, and most of them come in various colours. Before you start preparing cleaning products and planning a cleaning strategy, you should consider both type and hue. Nowadays, the two most prevalent types are classic cement and epoxy, a newer standard. These kinds can be further classified as follows:
Sanded Grout
Sanded grout is made of cement and has grit that can be seen and felt while applying it. Tilers use this in bigger joints (above ⅛ inch wide and up to ⅝ inch or 1 inch, depending on the product). It’s a good solution for often passed floors, but it’s not ideal for smooth, polished stones like bathroom tile. Why? Grit may scratch these surfaces during the application, particularly on delicate bathroom tiles.
Unsanded Grout
Unsanded grout is also made from cement, but it does not contain grit. Tilers use this for joints as narrow as 1/16 inch. This long-lasting material is easier to work with and clean than sanded grout, and it is suitable for both polished stone and vertical surfaces such as shower walls. Unsanded grout feels stickier and appears slightly smoother than sanded grout.
Epoxy Grout
This type of grout is more resistant to water stains and is less likely to shrink or sag than cement grouts. Epoxy grout absorbs up to 50 times less water and is stronger than cement grout. It performs well in tough situations, such as kitchen backsplashes and shower surrounds. It is also easier to clean and more likely to recover to its original colour than cement grouts, which is particularly helpful if you are tiling with white or another light grout colour. Epoxy grout is also less likely to crack. On the negative side, it costs more than cement grout and takes longer to apply.
Some types of grout are precolored, which makes them more resistant to stains and fading. There are also grout formulations that include polymers to provide additional benefits such as moisture and mildew resistance, enhancing the effectiveness of grout cleaning. Lastly, when you determine the best way to clean your grout, you should consider whether it has been sealed or whether it needs to be resealed. This may affect both the grout’s durability and the cleaning solutions available.
Ways to Clean Grout
Use medium-bristle cleaning brushes and warm water to scrub dirty grout
Most hardware and home centres have a variety of products made especially for cleaning tile grout, so if you don’t have one, consider getting one. To avoid causing damage to the grout, use a medium-bristle nylon brush rather than a hard steel one. Just use warm water on the grout lines, clean them in a circular motion, and then let them dry. Don’t apply too much water or leave it on the grout for too long. Remember that porous cement grouts absorb water, which might lead to mould.
Spray mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water to clean tile grout
If your grout has been sealed but has gathered heavy dirt or light stains, use vinegar, a tried-and-tested household product. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and warm water. Spray the mixture into the grout, allow it to set for 5 minutes, and then clean it with a hard brush. Never use vinegar to clean unsealed grout.
Use baking soda paste and vinegar to clean grout
Using baking soda to clean grout will strengthen its effect even further. This is what you should do:
- Put a paste made of baking soda and water to the grout lines, and then spray with a vinegar solution (keep in mind that vinegar should only be applied if the grout has been sealed).
- After the solution stops foaming, give it a brush scrub with a bristle brush, followed by a simple water rinse and drying.
- Scrub the grout thoroughly and use only the baking soda solution if it hasn’t been sealed or needs to be sealed again.
Use hydrogen Peroxide
For moderate stains, you can require the use of hydrogen peroxide, which is easily available at most pharmacies. You can use the product alone or combine the hydrogen peroxide with with baking soda to make a homemade grout-cleaning paste. This mixture is generally safe for both sealed and unsealed grouts.
Use Oxygen Bleach as a grout cleaner
Use oxygen bleach as a grout cleaner to remove tougher stains from extremely dirty white grout. The cleaner is most commonly offered in powder form; popular brands include OxiClean and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus.
Make sure the space is properly aired before using oxygen bleach to clean the grout. Then, carefully read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your grout cleaning products. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the oxygen bleach solution to sink in before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water and then dry the area to prevent dirt from settling into the grout lines.
Use a commercial grout stain remover
Using one of the best grout cleaners on the market may help you remove mould and mildew quickly and restore bright white grout lines.
These products are used in one of two ways:
- Spray and wipe
- Scrub with a brush
Spray-on products claim to eliminate the need for scrubbing, making it easier to clean floor tile grout. Although they save time and energy, they may contain more harsh acids, solvents, or chlorine bleach that can damage floor tiles.
Scrubbing with a soft brush and cleaner needs some effort, but it can be particularly effective on floors and severely stained grout. Before you start using one of these products, review the active ingredients carefully and follow the instructions, including the safety concerns.
Use steam mops to remove stain grout
When it comes to cleaning grout or any other hard surface in the house, the best steam mops are efficient and eco-friendly. Bissell, Oreck, and Hoover all manufacture steam cleaners for household use, which can be effective for cleaning floor tile grout.
Apply chlorine bleach gently to grout
In extreme cases, chlorine bleach and chlorine bleach-containing commercial cleaners can be used sparingly to clean grout. It is not recommended to use them as your primary grout cleansers because long-term usage of caustic cleaners will degrade grout and affect its ability to whiten. When all else fails, a bleach product like Clorox Clean-Up may be useful.
Before using chlorine bleach, be sure you’ve tried one or more of the techniques listed above. Rinse the surface well before using any chlorine bleach products. This is especially true for vinegar, as traces of white vinegar paired with bleach produce a very deadly chlorine gas in the air.
Proper Tile Grout Maintenance
When you’re done cleaning your grout, sprinkle it with white vinegar or a mild grout cleaner and wipe it off once a week to maintain it stain-free. Rubbing alcohol can also be used to clean grout and prevent mould and mildew growth. In any event, a few spritzes and wipes per week can save you a lot of time and effort cleaning while also maintaining the appealing appearance of your tiled surfaces.