Corrosion can ruin the grout appearance of the tile in the shower by losing color and adding a dirty, metallic texture to the surface otherwise smooth and even. Worst of all, if you try to scrub the rusty grout with a conventional bath cleanser and sponge, you are likely to find yourself working in vain. To take control of the situation, a more appropriate acid solution should be applied.
Instructions
1 fill a bottle of spray with undiluted white vinegar. Although highly resistant to many household cleaning products, rust is vulnerable to acids such as acetic acid found in vinegar. Alternatively, fill the spray bottle with the lemon juice and add a few drops of salt water. The combination of sodium chloride and citric acid can also eliminate rust.
2 Spray the cleaning solution along the grout lines anywhere the rust is located. If it is a tiled wall, keep the vinegar in place by squirting it on paper towels and by pressing them against the oxidized surface. Allow the acid to penetrate the oxide for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before proceeding.
3 Remove paper towels, if necessary, and apply a second coating of the cleaning solution to corrosion. Add new paper towels if necessary, and continue to check periodically. If you feel dry at any point in the grout, apply more solution. Grout is highly porous and absorbs liquid.
4 Rub the grout with a cloth or sponge, after soaking the stains for approximately one hour. If the oxide is separated from the grout, rinse the surface with water. If rust still refuses to break, apply more cleaning solution once per hour. It may take several hours for acid to weaken the oxide.
Tips and warnings
- If you choose to use vinegar to clean rust, do not add salt, as the mixture will create hydrochloric acid, which may be too strong for some grout surfaces.