Home- Grout Cleaning Made Easy
Tiled areas in your home can be some of the most beautiful areas. But they can also be the most difficult to areas to keep clean. Here are 8 simple tips to clean your tiled areas and keep them looking like they’re brand new.
1. Maintain and clean your tiles regularly. Kitchen tiled areas should be washed on a daily basis. If they aren’t, food and other dirt particles very quickly build up in the grout. A very quick wipe down does the job; just make sure you do it every day. Shower & bath tiles need a 1-2 times per week cleaning. This will prevent any build-up of dirt, soap scum, and mildew.
2. On tiled floor areas, use a one to one vinegar/water solution. Spray it on and let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with water & dry thoroughly. The vinegar will break down the dirt & other grime that is in the grout.
3. Use tools like a toothbrush or toothpick for hard to reach areas like around the bath and sink fixtures. First, wet the whole tile area down, wait for a few minutes, and last scrub the grout. Rinse well and then dry with an old towel. If you need a little extra power for the small crevices, you can use soap or baking soda on the toothbrush.
4. Don’t use hard chemicals. Harsh chemicals actually eat away at the grout and tile destroying it over time. Only use mild solutions (like one to one vinegar, lemon juice solutions, and plain water) or commercial cleaners.
5. Use rugs for areas that are trafficked a lot. Areas like the front door and in front of the sink in the kitchen benefit from an extra layer of protection. With a mat in the way dirt cannot as easily make its way into the grout. But be sure to clean the rugs on a regular basis.
6. To brighten and whiten grout and tiles, use bleach. However, be sure that you only use it on white surfaces or you will bleach colored areas or colored grout. Let the bleach sit on the area for about 10 minutes, rinse with water, and dry. (For fixing stain on colored tiles see tip #8.)
7. Seal your grout. This keeps dirt and grime from getting trapped in the grout making it easier to clean.
8. Fresh lemon juice removes stains in grout. Just put a few drops on the discolored area, wait 10 – 15 minutes and wipe it dry. Lemon juice is also a disinfectant & it leaves your home smelling fresh and invigorating.
One more tip for a quick clean: About once a month put 1/4 to 1/2 cups of straight vinegar (supermarket variety) or bleach down shower, bath, and sink (including kitchen disposals) drains. This prevents excessive build up of hair and other dirt and greases that clog drains.
Lastly, have fun cleaning! And relax in your shining clean house!