Perfectly laid tiling looks exceptional. Porcelain, mosaic, or stone, the right wall and floor tiles really bring a room to life. However, maintenance is a must. And there’s one particular area that can be incredibly difficult to keep clean… grout.
Whether it’s the tiling in your shower, another part of your bathroom, or your kitchen, stained grout does not look good. And it can become grimy in no time. But you do need to address it, because stained grout will take away from all that good work your tiling is doing.
In this article, we’ll look at how to clean grout on tiles in 5 easy steps.
DIY Steps For Cleaning Grout on Tiles
As tough as it may seem at times, cleaning grout on tiles can be done, and it’s not as hard as you think. While there are a number of professional cleaning services available for grout and tile cleaning, it’s entirely possible to do it yourself. This makes it more affordable but also more convenient. No need to book a cleaning company or spend that extra money.
Step 1: Gather Your Tiling Tools
DIY grout cleaning requires a few particular tools to get the job done. All of these tools are easy to find at a bathroom and tiling retailer, and they won’t break the bank. The right tools will make cleaning floor tiles, wall tiles or other areas a breeze.
Tile Grout Cleaner
There are a number of tile and grout cleaning products available on the shelf. But one of the most important is a tile grout cleaner. Tile cleaner works to remove the stubborn dirt, grime, and stains that regular cleaning products and mopping cannot, leaving your tiles and grout looking their best.
Mould Spray or Tile Cleaner
Grout gathers all sorts of mould and mildew, which can be harmful to your health and severely damage your tiles and grout. Therefore, a specialised mould spray, or tile cleaner with inbuilt mould prevention properties, is also a must-have in your tile and grout cleaning arsenal. These sprays and cleaners work to kill mould spores and attack moisture within the tiny gaps and cracks. Mould and grout stain remover is especially handy in the bathroom and shower, where moisture builds up fast.
Scrubbing Brush or Sponge
A tile and grout cleaning brush or sponge is the backbone of your operation and an essential among your tile accessories. Your scrubbing tool needs to be strong enough to really pull the grime away, but also not so harsh that it will scratch your tiles.
Tile and Grout Sealant
Grout does need to be sealed regularly, especially after a cleaning project. Tile and grout cleaning and sealing go hand in hand, so do ensure you have a bottle of grout and tile sealant close before jumping into the DIY. It is essential for keeping your tiles and grout clean in the future.
Step 2: Prepare the Area
Get your tiles ready for a clean by wiping down the area. Remove any light stains from your shower, bathroom, or kitchen with a cloth and some standard cleaning solution. Once this has been done, you’re ready to lay down some wall or floor tile grout cleaner.
Step 2: Apply the Cleaning Solution
Apply your shower grout cleaner or bathroom tile cleaner liberally, focusing on particularly grimy spots. Where mould is apparent, use mould spray as well. Make sure no spots are missed, or else you’ll have to come back later on. A good bathroom grout cleaner should be left for a few minutes to work its magic.
Step 3: Scrub and Agitate the Tile Grout
Once the solution has had time to attack the grime on your grout, you can start scrubbing. It’s best to use gloves here. Scrubbing vertically and horizontally along the lines of your grout is the best approach and will ensure that no spots are missed. Pay careful attention to the intersections too, as these spots are often susceptible to more stains. The same goes for your tile trims, which should be replaced if necessary.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
Once you’ve scrubbed thoroughly, rinse your tiles thoroughly with a spray of water and wipe away any excess cleaning chemicals. If there are any spots you’ve missed, repeat steps 2 and 3 until your grout is sparkling clean. Rinse again, and then dry the area with a cloth. You can also use a hairdryer to ensure that your grout is completely dry before moving ahead with your tile sealant.
Step 5: Seal the Grout
The final step in the tile and grout cleaning process is sealing your grout. Take your sealer and apply it carefully (following the instructions on the bottle). Using tile grout sealant is a tedious process at times, particularly if you have mosaic tiles or hexagonal tiles. However, sealing now will make cleaning your tiles and grout so much easier down the track. You can also whiten grout at this point, though that’s entirely up to you.
What is the Easiest and Fastest way to Clean Tile Grout?
The easiest and fastest way to clean tile grout is to follow the steps above - gather the tools, prep, clean, scrub, rinse, dry and seal! Aside from this process, regularly spraying with vinegar and water spray can help to keep grout clean over time. Preventative maintenance is always the most effective approach, so this is a great way to save yourself extra work later.
What Should You Not Clean Tile Grout With?
When cleaning your tiles and grout, avoid harsh cleaning chemicals like bleach. These can drain the colour from your grout and make it more prone to breaking down over time. Similarly, don’t use overly harsh scrubbing brushes, or those that use stiff metal bristles - they will only damage your tiles and can dig grout out. We recommend a sponge for the most effective and least damaging results.
Does Vinegar Clean Tile Grout?
As we mentioned earlier, a vinegar spray can be a really effective tool in your efforts to clean your grout. Regularly spraying this solution on your grout, say once a week, goes a long way towards eliminating any bacteria or mould spores before they take hold.
Vinegar mixed with baking soda is another popular DIY tile cleaning solution. Simply spray your vinegar and water solution on your grout. Then, in a bowl, mix water and baking soda to create a paste. You can then use this paste when scrubbing the grout, creating an effective cleaning solution from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Although these 5 tile and grout cleaning steps and vinegar tips may seem straightforward, always consult a tiling expert if you're unsure.
Refresh Your Tiles and Grout with Deluxe Bathrooms
There you have it - an effective, straightforward way to clean your tiles and grout. Swift maintenance and repairs are a must before the problem becomes worse. At Deluxe Bathrooms, we have a wide range of tile accessories for every homeowner or DIY specialist.
Sometimes though, your tiles need more than a clean; for a complete tile refresh, take a look at our full tiles range today!
