Due to our busy lives, giving the bathroom tiles a wipe down after a shower, or during the weekly clean, is sufficient enough for most people. Whilst at first it may look like it is doing a good job, you might begin to notice that the grout between the tiles has started to change color.
Instead of pouring money down the drain and wasting it on a whole new set of tiles – which could set you back several hundreds of dollars – it is always best to clean the grout yourself.
Tiles and grout aren’t everyone’s favourite type of flooring due to how tricky they can be to get clean sometime – however, you’re not going to risk a moldy hardwood floor or lay down laminate flooring in your bathroom now are you?
Whilst dirty tiles are not ideal for anyone, cleaning grout that has become grimey can be easily cleaned with the know-how – though you may find that some dirt is more stubborn than others.
Fortunately for you, we have put together a simple guide to show you several methods when it comes to cleaning grout.
Before You Start
Whether it is just a stain, a bit of dirt or full-on mold, always be prepared to stay safe. This means wearing a mask if working with strong fumes or if you have a sensitive respiratory system, as well as gloves.
Also, always open windows and doors to create maximum airflow as you clean. It is never a good idea to work in a stuffy area whilst cleaning just generally, so make it a habit to open a window, even if it is cold outside.
Using a Vinegar Spray to Avoid Dirty Grout
Vinegar is a great homemade cleaning agent that has many benefits when used in the home. Not only is it good to use to keep limescale away in the bathroom, but it can also be used to remove dirt and mold.
Whilst you might want to use the vinegar already in your cupboard, it will need to be white vinegar to have the best effect. It will also smell less like you have been cooking!
To create the solution, in a spray bottle pour vinegar halfway, and then fill the rest of the half with water. Mix it gently by giving it a shake until it has become combined. Then spray this over the tiles and grout several times a week to keep them looking clean and white.
Baking Soda Spot Clean
If you have an area of dirty grout that you would like to clean, then this method should work a treat to remove it. Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few teaspoons of water, depending on how thick you want the paste – do not make it too runny, it is a paste.
Rub the paste onto the area with an old toothbrush. To make it even easier, this job can be done with an electric toothbrush. Brush until you can see the dirt lifting, or at least most of it.
Rinse away with water, and repeat it necessary.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
If you want a double whammy, then adding vinegar to the mix is a good option. Once you have the baking soda paste on the grout, spray white vinegar over the top. It will then bubble and start doing its magic of cleaning the area.
Leave the mixture for a minute or two, and then tackle the dirt with an old toothbrush or hard bristle brush.
To make the vinegar mixture, do the same as the step above of making a spray to avoid dirty grout. .
Lemon Juice
Using lemon juice is another alternative to vinegar. It is a really mild disinfectant that does a great job at removing stains from grout.
Squeeze lemon juice onto the dirty grout and let it sit for up to 15 minutes at the most. Once the time is up, scrub at the area with an old toothbrush or a hard bristle brush.
Once finished, rinse the area and wipe it down so it becomes dry.
Toothpaste
A good way to clean grout and to inject some white back into it, is by using a whitening toothpaste. Whilst not suitable for colored tiles or grout, this could be a great way to brighten up the bathroom or kitchen.
This technique is best used for dull looking grout that is in need of looking whiter (how it used to, for example), rather than hard to remove stains, though it may work on lighter areas of dirt – it does clean our teeth after all.
To try this technique, put a small amount of toothpaste onto the grout and scrub it with a toothbrush. When you have finished, use a water saturated cloth with dish soap and wipe the area down.
Remember to then dry it with a lint free cloth to avoid mold from growing.
How to Remove Mold From Bathroom Grout
Mold is a common problem when it comes to bathroom grout. Whilst the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says different molds have existed for millions of years, it does not make it a safe thing to be around.
When it comes to mold, if you smell or see it, always remove it. Fortunately, it is not as difficult as you might think. Similar to general cleaning, here are a few ways to remove it quickly and safely.
Distilled Vinegar
As we have already noted, distilled white vinegar is a great cleaning agent. It is suitable to use on moldy areas and will do a good job at removing it.
Put one part vinegar to one part water into a spray bottle and saturate the area with the mixture. Let it do its job for around 30 minutes, and then scrub at the mold stain with a stiff bristled brush.
Whilst you do this, you will have to make sure you do not break the tile itself, so brush carefully. Spray the mixture again and let it do its job for another 30 minutes.
Rinse it with water, and repeat if you need to do it again.
Baking Soda as a Paste
A baking soda paste can help to lift the mold. To create it, use half a cup of baking soda with a few teaspoons of water. You can judge the amount of water you need by the thickness of paste you are hoping to achieve.
Once it becomes spreadable, apply it onto the molded area and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Once the time has passed, scrub at the area with a hard bristled brush.
Rinse it away with water and repeat if you need to.
Chlorine Bleach for Light Colored Grout
If you are struggling with the home remedies, then chlorine bleach is a good way to go – just make sure that no mixture from any other cleaning agent is left, and always wear gloves, old clothes and a mask to protect yourself from any splashback and fumes.
If you have colored grout, then this is not a good method to try as it may make them fade and look patchy.
Using an old toothbrush, or a new one that you will not be using for cleaning teeth, apply the bleach directly onto a small section and work the area by scrubbing with the toothbrush.
Let the bleach sit for around 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water. If you need to repeat it, let it dry and go again.
Final Words
There are a number of reasons why we want to get the grout in the bathroom looking brand-new – perhaps you are planning to sell the house, or maybe you just want it to be the sanctuary you need after a long hard day at work?
Cleaning grout is an easy task when you have the know-how. The majority of the time, you will be able to find the cleaning agents suitable for the job from inside your kitchen cupboard or the local grocery store.
From vinegar and lemon juice, to baking soda, there are a number of ways to remove grime, mold and stains from the bathroom grout. You can also take the route of buying a traditional bleach to remove the mold, but this is not needed for smaller stains.
Whatever way you choose, just know that white grout is achievable, even if it does take a bit of elbow-grease to make it happen.