The Best Way to Clean Grout: Tips, Tools, and More
Nothing makes a home look older, not to mention unpleasant, than a grout build-up. If you’re looking for the best way to clean grout and keep it beautiful, you’ve come to the right guide.
Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise: The natural color of tile grout is not mildew grey! Even if you did know that, you may find yourself staring at grey or stained grout, wondering if you can ever get it to look like new.
The good news: There are several effective ways to clean grout and prevent it from becoming filthy in the first place. Not only can proper cleaning techniques restore your home to its previous splendor, but you can also kill mold at the source and even extend your tiles’ lifespan.
How Do You Remove Grout Haze From Tile?
Grout haze is an unattractive, dusty film that appears on your tiles after the grouting process when the grout has not been completely wiped clean. When you expect your newly installed tiles to glitter and gleam in the light, grout haze makes everything look old and dull instead.
Grout haze doesn’t go away on its own. Fortunately, clearing off grout haze is easy to do with a few common ingredients.
Steam Cleaning
Did you know a kitchen sponge is up to 20 times dirtier than a toilet seat? This lesser-known fact often has people reaching for the sponge when they should try other methods: Enter steam cleaning.
Steam cleaning is one of the best grout mold cleaners since its hot temperature kills the bacteria and mold spores that get trapped in the grout. Try using a pressurized steamer, a hand steamer, or towels soaked in boiling water, but be careful not to burn yourself.
Baking Soda Paste and White Vinegar Scrub
“How do I get grout haze off of tile with baking soda?” you may be wondering. All you need to do is mix a cup of baking soda with just enough water to make a paste, then scrub with a clean, soft rag. Follow that treatment by scrubbing again with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.
Once the bubbling stops, wipe the grout clean with water and a cloth.
Sugar and Water
This method is one of the best ways to clean grout since it removes dried grout from tiles without scratching the surface. Sugar cubes are just abrasive enough to remove dried bits, but not nearly as rough as metal or coarse sponges.
Just mix a small bowl of sugar with a small amount of hot water to make a crumbly paste, then scrub at the grout with a soft rag. Once you’re done, wipe everything down with water and dry completely.
Homemade Cleansers
Can you clean grout with hydrogen peroxide? Absolutely. Adding either hydrogen peroxide or lemon to hot water makes for another potent grout cleaner.
The peroxide and the acid in lemon juice can get deep into grout to pull up stains and kill mold.
Rubbing Alcohol
Just mix rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle, spray directly onto grout, then let it sit for 5 minutes. Without scrubbing, wipe it away. You can also dip a rag into rubbing alcohol and apply it directly to the grout.
Bleach
If you’ve tried all of the above without the desired results, it’s time to turn to the tough stuff. Tear paper towels into long strips and soak them in a 50/50 bleach and water solution.
Place these strips along the grout lines and bunch them up to completely cover the grout. Let them sit until dry, or as long as possible. The stains should be gone when you remove the paper towels.
To clean tiled walls, you’ll need something that sticks better vertically, such as toilet paper.
If your grout is still filthy after a few cleaning sessions, you may need a remodeling project. Reach out to us and we’ll be happy to share an estimate!
Best Chemical Cleaners for Grout
There are many commercial grout cleaners on the market, but which one should you try? One of the best ways to clean grout and remove stubborn mold is with a mold root killer. It works by attacking the mold deep inside to prevent it from coming back.
Some cleaners use foaming formulas to break apart scum and dirt, while others come in thick paste to scrub away stains. Magic Eraser is a popular brand that does a good job of removing grout haze with a dedicated scrubbing session.
If you’re sensitive to chemicals or just don’t like the smell, look for bleach-free formulas or try one of the DIY grout cleaners we recommended earlier.
Don’t feel like comparing and contrasting brands? Let us take the work off your hands with an inspection and maintenance appointment.
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Common Grout Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Learning the best ways to clean grout isn’t enough. You also need to know what can damage your fixtures and toilet, make the grout worse, or create a brand new problem entirely.
Using Abrasive Scrubbers
While you might be tempted to grab some steel wool or a tough rag to clear grout, steer clear! Abrasive scrubbers will leave a mess of scratches all over your beautiful tile, creating a new problem that’s much harder to remove.
You can also risk chipping away at the grout, weakening their connection to the tile and increasing the chance of cracking later. Opt for a clean, soft rag.
Over-Wetting the Grout
While the grout will need a little moisture to activate your cleaner of choice, don’t get everything soaking wet. Excess moisture can seep into grout’s tiny holes to create mildew and mold build-up.
Not Rinsing Properly
When you’re done cleaning off your grout, make sure to rinse everything off properly with warm water. If you leave any cleaning agents on your tiling for too long, you’ll create hazy residue that dulls your tiles’ appearance.
Want us to take a look at your grout? We’re happy to inspect your home for areas to improve.
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3 Additional Tips for Maintaining Your Grout
What is the best way to clean grout, then keep it clean in the long term? Maintaining your grout is easy with some foresight and a few weekly habits.
(We also have tips for plumbing maintenance!)
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Regular Cleaning
Spring cleaning may be refreshing, but it’s not nearly frequent enough to maintain your grout. We recommend wiping down your grout once per week with a soft, clean rag and a simple cleaning spray.
This habit reduces staining and clears out any dirt or dust that could fill up the pores.
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Preventative Measures
One of the best ways to clean stained grout is to keep it from becoming stained in the first place. Place a few rugs or mats in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as the kitchen floor by the sink or in the bathroom by the shower.
Reducing the amount of direct contact with grout keeps stains and dirt to a minimum, which means less staining (and less cleaning).
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Sealing Your Grout
Do you have newly installed tiles and grout? Apply a sealing solution to help keep dirt, moisture, and stains off your floor. It’s best to apply a double coat to be on the safe side. Only apply the second coat once the first coat is completely dry.
You should reseal your grout every six to 12 months in areas with heavy foot traffic, such as the kitchen or a shared bathroom. For areas with less foot traffic, every one or two years is fine.
Thinking of remodeling or renovating your home? Conway Services is your all-in-one resource for new installations, maintenance, and repairs.
Choose Conway Services for Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning
Sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to clean your tiles and grout. Calling Conway Services is one of the best ways to clean grout any time of the year.
Conway Services is a family-owned business that’s been operating since 1990. We provide homeowners with fast and convenient HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and cleaning services. Not only can we help restore your tiles and grout to their previous splendor, but we can also help install new fixtures or maintain your home regularly.
Whether you need kitchen cleaning, have a plumbing emergency, or need help with your sewer line, Conway Services will always be a resource in your back pocket. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer your questions or give you an estimate.
Ready to Keep Your Home Grout-Free?
What is the best way to clean grout fast? Get a professional on the case. Conway Services is only a call or click away if you need help with cleaning, plumbing, or a new kitchen installation.
If your grout-cleaning project is a prelude to a kitchen or bath upgrade, you can count on Conway Services for all the professional plumbing. We can also advise you on one or more new plumbing innovations that can add a whole new dimension to the finished result.
Ready to schedule service? Contact Conway Services today!