It’s not the most glamorous of tasks, but grout cleaning is one of the inevitabilities of life. And once it’s done, it sure is satisfying.
Why, you ask, must we scrub away at stubborn tiles? To avoid nasties like mould, mildew, foul odours, and damage – mould build-up can cause serious health damage after all.
And what is the best (and easiest) way to do this? We’ve done the hard work (well, some of it at least.. well, OK, we polled the office) – and found the most effective way to clean grout. The best part? You can do it with pantry staples. Read on…
How to clean grout
You will need:
- Water.
- Cloth.
- Mixing bowl.
- Grout brush or old toothbrush.
- Vinegar.
- Baking soda.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Grout sealer.
Before you start, always check what chemicals cannot be used on your tiles. For example, you should avoid using vinegar on natural stone tiles as it can be damaging.
Step 1
Dampen a cloth with water and wipe down the tiles to remove the surface layer of dust, build-up, and grime.
Step 2
For moderate grime: Combine one part vinegar and one part warm water in a mixing bowl. Use your brush to apply to paste to the grout lines. Let it sit for a few minutes.
For tough grime: Combine two parts baking soda and one part vinegar in a mixing bowl. Use your brush to apply the paste to the grout lines. Let it sit for a few minutes.
For very tough grime: Combine two parts baking soda and one part hydrogen peroxide in a mixing bowl. Use your brush to apply the paste to the grout lines. Let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 3
Scrub your paste into the grout lines before rinsing with water. Let it dry for 24 hours before sealing. Then you’re all done!
