The first question you should ask yourself is, why is tile grout cleaning so important?  In truth the grout is the first line of defense that protects the tiles from getting broken down by mildew, grime or moisture.  It is also the part of the tile floor that can often trap dirt and grime, so it requires the most maintenance.  In addition, the grout is usually more likely to hold moisture and change color then the rest of the tile.  Keeping your tile grout cleaned is and excellent why to allow your tiled areas to look their best and last for longer periods of time.

The articles on this site cover a variety of ways you can clean grout, from organic grout cleaners to lots of everyday house hold chemical you can find laying around the hose.  Most people that clean their own grout find that is isn’t too bad.  Always be sure to disinfect as you clean, especially in bathrooms and kitchens. When scrubbing tilled floors it may be necessary to use knees pads or a kneeling pad.

On average grout cleaning take about 15 minutes per room.  When mold or mildew has set in it could take up to ½ hour.  When using mold and mildew disinfectants be sure to leave them on for the allotted time mentioned on the label.

If you need to repair or replace cracked tiles or missing grout, you may need to call a tile expert to help you.  They can also steam clean the grout and then seal it for you as well.  Steam cleaning grout often helps to remove ground in dirt and light the color of the grout.  In some cases, bleach will also be needed.  A grout sealer will work to protect the tile and grout for 3-5 years and in some cases much longer.

Do’s

Do use a throw mats in areas of high traffic area such as entry ways, walk ways, and in front of the kitchen sink.

Do clean regularly to avoid gunky build up

Take the time to clean the tile and scrub out the grout.

Do get the area of tile your are working on wet before starting.  A A little time to soak in may save you some time scrubbing.

Do use a tile disinfectant.  This is great for killing germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew.  (Un-killed mold and mildew could damage the tile.)

Make sure when you are done that you dry the area thoroughly. This will allow the tile to last longer.

It is necessary, but definitely a good idea to use a  kneeling pad or a soft cushion, especially if it will be for a long time.  Your knees  will be glad you did.

DO seal your grouts or have them sealed  on a normal basis (every 2 to 3 years.  This helps them maintain their original color and keeps the dirt out!

DO change chipped, cracked, or broken tiles as soon as possible. Not changing out broken tiles can ultimately lead to more expensive problem later on down the road.  Mold and mildew can get trapped in the tile and break them down faster.  (This goes doubly for tile roofs.)

Do have fun.   Take the time to admire work work when you are done!

Don’ts

Don’t use harsh adhesives which can damage the tile grout.

Don’t allow water to sit on tile for to long because it can get under the tile and cause damage.

Don’t mix ammonia and bleach, (which creates lethal chlorine gas.)

do not use harsh chemicals. Eventually, these can destroy the grout and tiles. It might be a good idea to use a mild cleaner first and then gradually increase the strength to the level a required to remove spots.

Do not use coarse scrubbers that may scratch the tile.

Avoid colored cleaners that can stain the grout.

Keeping tile and grout clean is very important for lengthening the life of tiled areas. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind while you clean your tile and grout.

What you need- Salt, Baking Soda, Water, and One or Two Lemons.

Direction for making an organic grout cleaner.  In a small bowl or cup, mix equal parts of salt and baking soda. Add just enough water to it to make a thick paste. With a soft or medium brush apply to tile walls and grout. This scrubbing paste should help you remove the crud on the tile and the grout. Then wipe off with a wet sponge. It you have any discoloration in the grout apply lemon juice to it. Let is sit for a 10-15 minutes. This should remove some of the stain and help the grout retain its original color.

The salt in cleaning the mixture allows you to gently scrub even hard to reach places. The baking powder whitens a little as it cleans and both of them together act as a disinfectant.

Be careful not to procrastinate tile and grout cleaning to long because it only gets harder to clean the longer you wait.

For cleaning kitchen grout be sure to remove as much of the grime as possible out of the grout before starting. For a deeper cleaning you may want to let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

In the bathroom, you may also want to use a separate general disinfectant. Vinegar is a great option as it has been proven to kill 99% of bacteria. Just fill a spray bottle and spray it on. However, recently studies have shown that using Hydrogen Peroxide 3% (the regular supermarket variety) after an application of vinegar is even more effective. A last solution you can use is Borax. Use ½ cup Borax to 1 gallon hot water. You can actually also put ½ cup Borax into 1 gallon vinegar to increase the effectiveness of the vinegar. A last solution is 2T Borax, ¼ cup lemon & 2 cups hot water. Any of these are a great all natural organic grout cleaners and disinfectants.