Grout is a porous material, which means it will absorb dirt, grime, and bacteria. Bacteria are enough to make your nose itch, but if you have allergies or asthma, the bacteria in your grout could lead to health issues. If you are looking for a way to clean your floor grout without scrubbing, then here are some of the easiest ways that may work for you.
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Method 01: Combination of Baking Soda & Vinegar
- Mix equal parts baking soda and white vinegar to create a paste.
- Allow the paste to sit for about 10 minutes.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste into the grout.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Wipe the floor dry with a clean towel.
- If needed, add more sealant to the grout.
- Let the floor dry and apply your favorite hardwood floor stain.
- Let the floor dry.
Method 02: Baking Soda & Peroxide
- Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a bowl to create a paste.
- Apply the soda paste directly to the grout.
- Allow the mixture of hydrogen peroxide to sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing away with water.
- Rinse with warm water and wipe dry with a clean towel.
- If needed, add more sealant to the grout.
- Let the floor dry completely before walking on it.
Method 03: Baking Soda, White Vinegar & Dish Soap
- Mix equal parts baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap in a bowl to create a paste.
- Apply the mixture directly to the grout.
- Allow the paste to sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing away with water.
- Rinse with hot water and wipe dry with a clean towel.
- Let the floor dry completely before walking on it.
Method 04: Baking Soda & Essential Oils
- Mix baking soda and essential oils in a small bowl to create a paste.
- Apply the baking soda paste directly to the grout.
- Allow the mixture to sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing away with water.
- Rinse with water and wipe dry with a clean towel.
- Let the floor dry completely before walking on it.
Method 05: Bleach & Water
- Mix 4 parts water with 1 part chlorine bleach in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture directly onto the grout lines and let it sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing away with water.
- Rinse the area with warm water and wipe dry with a clean towel or squeegee.
- Let the floor dry completely before walking on it.
Method 06: Steam Cleaning
If you have a steam cleaner, then use it to clean the tough stains from grout lines.
- Fill the reservoir of your steam cleaner with tap water or distilled water.
- Turn on the steam cleaner and allow it to heat up.
- Once the reservoir is ready, attach a cleaning attachment to the top of your machine and turn off the motor.
- Turn the motor back on and begin cleaning the dirty grout lines with the attachment.
- Once finished, turn off your machine and allow it to cool down completely before storing it away.
- Use microfiber cloths on the grout line to wipe down the floor to remove excess moisture.
Method 07: Commercial Grout Cleaner
If you cannot clean your floor grout lines using one of the above methods, then use a store-bought grout cleaner made specifically for cleaning the dirtiest grout. Most alkaline cleaners are suitable for this task.
- Mix your cleaner with water in a bucket until it is fully diluted.
- Apply the mixture to the grout stains using a squeegee or microfiber mop.
- Allow the cleaner to sit for about 15 minutes or the instructions on the product label.
- Rinse with water and wipe dry with a clean towel or microfiber mop head.
- Let the floor completely dry before using it again or placing furniture on top of it.
Here are some of the best grout cleaner recommendations:
- Ultimate Grout Cleaner by Black Dimond
- Eez Super Heavy-Duty Grout Cleaner
- Rejuvenate Grout Deep Cleaner
- Hoover Tile and Grout Floor Cleaner
- OBSESS Grout & Tile Cleaner
Check this article for a detailed review of commercial tile floor cleaner.
Grout Types:
Different types of grout can be used to fill the gaps between tiles. Some of these materials include:
Ceramic Grout: Made from Portland cement, sand, and water. It is scratch-resistant and washable, so it makes an excellent choice for kitchen floors.
Epoxy Grout: Made from an epoxy resin and a hardener, epoxy grout is strong enough to withstand heavy foot traffic. The downside is that it cannot be used in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens because it can dissolve when exposed to moisture.
Silicone Grout: Unlike the other two materials, silicone grout is flexible, so it’s excellent for tiling around sinks and tubs. However, it is costly and requires some level of experience to install correctly.
Cement Grout: Usually used for tiling driveways or walls, cement grout is solid, but it cracks easily, so the result will not be smooth like ceramic or epoxy grouts.
Why does the grout in your home need to be cleaned?
There are many reasons why it might be necessary for you to clean the grout in your home. Some of these reasons include:
- To remove excess dirt and debris that have accumulated over time.
- To reduce the risk of bacteria, mold, or mildew growth on tiles due to standing water or excess moisture.
- To remove stains left behind by hair dye, ink, or shoe polish.
- To remove spills, such as soda or wine.
- To make your grout lines look new again. The grout in your home might get dirty over time due to dirt being tracked across it from shoes, pets, and the general wear of life.
As you can see, there are many reasons why it might be necessary for you to clean the grout in your home. The most important thing that you need to remember is that not all methods of cleaning grout will work on all types of flooring material. For example, some stone tiles may require a poultice paste to be created before the grout can be cleaned. The best thing for you is to check your flooring materials and determine what you need to use as a cleaning agent. By doing this, none of your materials or floors will be damaged, and you will save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.
What Makes Floor Grouts Dirty?
Even though floor grouts are pretty to look at and thus, well worth maintaining and cleaning, they collect dirt and debris over time. Floor grout lines may become dirty due to the following:
- Dirt tracked in from outside via shoes or pets.
- Molds and mildew that grow on tiles.
- Spills such as juice or soda.
- Hair dye or shoe polish that gets stained into the grout lines.
- Standing water seeps into the cracks between tiles and becomes dirty over time due to bacteria, mold, or mildew growth.
- Lack of proper grouting and sealing during installation.
Is it Safe to Clean Grout Lines on Your Own?
Yes. Although there are many professional cleaners available these days who specialize in cleaning floor grout lines, it is safe to do the task yourself. Many online resources provide detailed tutorials on how to clean floor grout using organic household products, so you will not need to purchase anything extra before starting.
Why is the grout on the floor turning black?
Grout absorbs color from materials such as dirt and dust. As a result, grout can become dirty very quickly if it is not regularly cleaned. If this grout color becomes darker, it absorbs too much dirt and dust, leading to a permanent change in its appearance.
How can I get rid of black spots on the grout?
These black spots are caused by organic contaminants such as algae and mold. As a result, you can use bleach to get rid of them.
How often should I clean my floor grouts?
Many people recommend cleaning your grouts at least once or twice a year, depending on the amount of foot traffic in the area. However, if you notice that your grout is becoming darker, you should clean it more frequently to avoid a permanent change in its appearance.
What is the best way to clean my floor grouts?
The best and most effective method to clean your floor grout lines is to use a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner uses both high pressure and hot temperatures to remove dirt from the materials it touches. In this case, you can use a steam cleaner with a built-in vacuum that will suck up all the dirt and grime that it removes.
In Conclusion…
The process of cleaning floor grouts is not that difficult if you know what you need to clean with and how often the task needs to be done. Also, it is important for you to remember that not all types of floors can be cleaned using the same method and materials. It would be best for you to learn more about your own flooring materials and then choose a cleaning agent that is safe to use on them. This way, you will save yourself a lot of time and money in the long run and be able to keep your floors looking beautiful without hiring an expensive professional cleaner.
