Grout is a fine mortar that you put between tiles for paving and counterwork to keep in place. This glue-like padding is often found in bathrooms and kitchens. Whether on the shower walls or on the kitchen floor, grout may be discolored over time as dirt accumulates in it or mildew grows. Discoloration of grout may be unsightly. Fortunately, you can clean the grout using various methods.
Instructions
Cleaning steam
• Place water in the steam cleaning unit.
• Turn the steam on and let the water heat up.
• Use steamer grout attachment. Usually these look like long wands. Press the attachment against the grout line and move down the line, the steam trigger as you go. This will release the stains on the grout.
• Use an old rag to clean excess moisture and dirt that releases steam from grout.
Oxygen Whitener
• Mix together one part oxygen bleaching with two parts warm water. You want to dissolve the oxygen bleach in the water to create the cleaning solution. You can find oxygen-whitening products at your local grocery store.
• Apply your oxygen-whitening solution directly to the mouthpiece. You want enough so that the grout is completely soaked. If the grout absorbs the solution, add more until there is a permanent puddle of the VAC.
• Leave the VAC to soak for 30 minutes at one hour.
• Use an old brush or toothbrush to rub the mixture into the mouthpiece after the time has passed.
• Use a mop to wipe away the oxygen bleach solution. Rinse the area with clean water if necessary and allow your grout to dry clean.
Sodium bicarbonate
• Place 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/3 cup ammonia and 7 cups tap water temperature in a large container, sealable. Mix well to combine and dissolve sodium bicarbonate.
Radius of the baking soda mixture into a spray bottle. The remaining cleaner can be stored in the sealable container for future cleaning.
• Spray your grout with the baking soda mixture to completely saturate the area.
• Allow mixture for 15 minutes. Then clean the grout using a damp cloth or sponge.
Tips and warnings
- If all else fails, you can buy a grout dye from your local home improvement store. Using the stain stain the grout a deeper color. This hides the discoloration of the stained grout.
- Never mix chemicals, especially ammonia and bleach.
- When using any cleaning product, make sure the room is well ventilated to prevent respiratory irritation.