How To Clean Grout

If you are a typical homeowner, then you are probably looking for the best method for how to clean grout. This is a nasty chore, often relegated to the lowest person in the family. Nevertheless, there should be an easier way than getting out an old toothbrush and trying to scrub out those stains with a harsh cleaner right? Of course, there are folk remedies and the mixing of household chemicals that will cure this malady too. But the problem is that many of these concoctions are dangerous, such as mixing bleach and ammonia together (resulting in toxic gas). The good news is that there are safe remedies that will not only work well, but also much easier.

The first thing to do is clean the area of any debris. If you are working on a floor surface, then sweep thoroughly, removing any extra specks of dirt or dust that would typically find their way into the cleaning solution. Wipe the entire surface with clean water and allow to dry. This tends to loosen any excess stain that is only on top of the grout. It will also help to prepare for the next step.
When using any kind of grout cleaner, it is a good idea to wear gloves and work in a well ventilated room. Use the exhaust fan when working in a bathroom, and if possible, open up some windows to allow fresh air circulation to occur. These are good safety practices and should be followed as an extra precaution when working with any type of chemicals.

Probably the very best alternative to scrubbing this surface is the use of oxygen bleach powder. Although there are forums on the internet that state chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide will do this job, there are drawbacks to each one of these. If you are even considering bleach, take note that the fumes are very strong and you will most likely not be able to be in the same room for very long when making use of this substance. In addition to removing most of the stains, it has also been known to remove the color from the tile, so always test a small, inconspicuous spot before a large area is done.
Hydrogen peroxide is another great cleanser if the extra oxygen is able to be split off the molecule and attack the stain. Since this is not always the case, and you can’t predict this type of action with any certainty, there is definitely a risk involved when trying this product.

Oxygen bleach powder comes in a variety of sizes and grades. The main difference is in the quality of the ingredients contained therein. If it was manufactured in the U.S.A., chances are that it has met and passed inspection and will work properly for your application. It is only the imported variety has tends to have a mixture of materials – some of them substandard or low quality. Of course this will reduce the effectiveness of the cleaner and your probably will be disappointed with the results.

Using high quality oxygen bleach, follow the mixing instructions on the label and pour/wipe the surfaces that require grout cleaning. As mentioned previously, oxygen atoms are the very best way to attack stains. You have just created a few billion free ones in the mixture when water was added. With this product, there are no noxious fumes and the amount of “elbow grease” is almost non-existent.

Let this solution soak into the area for 30 to 60 minutes total. Make sure there is a light coating of excess water on the tile surface. Any spots that look dry can be swabbed quickly again with the cleaner.

Mop up the dirty water and it should then be ready for a light scrubbing and final rinse. As you can probably tell, there is no loss of tile coloration and the area between them should look as if it was first applied.

Imagine the looks on your family’s faces when you show off how to clean grout properly. It would be great to take before and after photos to prove how well that this product works to clean a dirty, discolored bathroom or kitchen floor.