A House that is clean is more pleasing and functional. It’s also beneficial to the health and offers an environment that is more welcoming to guests.
Generally speaking, cleaning a house mostly involves dusting and mopping. However, even after doing this, floor tiles that have dirty grout will at times still look messy.
Luckily, you can make your tiles look new by using simple household products to clean grout. And, while you’re at it, you can check for the cracked or loose tiles that may lead to bigger problems if kept unmaintained.
Method 1: Using Oxygenated bleach
You can also use oxygenated bleach to clean grout. It works similarly to traditional chlorine bleach. However, unlike chlorine, it brightens surfaces without discoloring them.
The following is a step by step procedure of how it’s done:
Step One: Dissolve equal parts of oxygenated bleach and warm water…
For good results, use this solution immediately. If left for long, its efficiency will reduce.
Oxygenated bleach may discolor some tiles or grout. Test one area first before cleaning the whole floor.
Step Two: Begin the cleaning process. To avoid an entirely wet floor, clean one-floor section at a time. Next, allow the solution to stay on the grout for a couple of minutes.
Then, use a brush to scrub the grout lines gently. Grime and dirt tend to accumulate in discreet places of the floor, so don’t forget to scrub these areas too.
Step Three: Rinse the floor with adequate water and leave it to dry. Remove all oxygenated bleach by pouring adequate water onto the tiles. Then, use a clean mop or a towel to dry it.
Besides cleaning grout, you can also use oxygenated bleach to clean your sink, toilet, and tub as well.
Method 2: Using baking soda and vinegar
Your grout, without cleaning, changes from a clear white to an unappealing brownish color. You can use baking soda and vinegar to effectively make your floor tiles brand new again.
The following is a step by step procedure of how it’s done.
Step One: Mix water and baking soda to make a paste. For best results, the paste should be thick. Ideally, the ratio of baking soda to water should be 1:3. This mixture will work with most grout colors.
Next, use your finger to apply the paste to the lines of the grout. Of course, for safety reasons, wear rubber gloves. This help prevent you from getting scratches from the abrasive grout surface. Baking soda isn’t harmful to the skin.
Step Two: Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. then, put this solution into spray bottle. Keep in mind that vinegar can be harmful to some natural stones like limestone and marble.
Next, spray this solution to the baking soda you had applied in step one above. Bubbling should occur. This indicates the natural cleaning process is taking place. Wait a few minutes.
Once the bubbling has stopped, use a brush to scrub the grout lines. the brush can be a toothbrush or a nylon bristled scrub brush.
Step Three: Mop the floor using plain water. Lastly, you need to remove all residues (vinegar and backing soda) from the grout. Change the cleaning water regularly, if necessary. this will make sure no residue is left on the floor.
Method 3: Using a professional steam cleaner
You can clean grout between floor tiles by using a steam cleaner. Unlike other cleaning methods, steam cleaning is quick, efficient, and ecological.
The following is a step procedure of how it’s done.
Step One: Buy a steam cleaner. Usually, only available online. The typical “steam” mops/cleaners at the hardware store are ineffective and can’t reach true steam temperature. Make sure it can reach a temperature of at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step Two: Assemble and fill the steam cleaner by following the directions of the manufacturer. This is essential to prevent equipment damage.
Next ., fill the reservoir with water to the fill line as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t add soaps or chemicals or even the cleaning solution that’s provided by the maker. soap residue can attract dirt.
then, turn the machine on and wait a couple of minutes for it to heat up. The instruction manual will tell you how long you should wait for this.
Step Three: Begin the cleaning process. Scrub the grout gently until the steam removes the dirt and grime. the steam will also sanitize your floors.
Once you’ve done this for the entire room, wipe out the excess moisture after cleaning. Use a towel or mop for this purpose. You want to be as careful as possible when you do this to avoid slipping over.
Buying a capable steam cleaner can be quite costly. A quality steam cleaner can range from $300-$900. If this is not something you’re willing to spend, then you can always just hire a professional steam cleaning company once a year to clean your floor and simply use methods 1 and 2 to maintain your floors in between professional cleaning.
Contributed by Granite Foundation Repair
