As you are cleaning your home, you may notice that the grout between the tiles on walls, floors or countertops is stained or discolored. But rather than using a harsh chemical cleanser, you can use a natural homemade cleanser. Learning how to make grout white again will improve the appearance of your home, and it is an easy job to do. Here are some of the tips recommended by other homeowners for cleaning grout.
Tip 1: Have the Required Supplies
Before cleaning grout, make sure to have the supplies that you need for the process, including:
- Protective gloves
- Small brush with soft bristles
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Bucket for warm water
- Soft cloth
- Old towel
- Sponge or string mop
- Empty spray bottle
- Small plastic bowl
Tip 2: Remove Items from the Work Area
Remove all items from the area that you want to clean, including canisters and small appliances on a tile countertop or rugs on a tile floor. Begin by washing away the major debris from the tile with a damp cloth or a mop before working on the grout between the tiles.
Tip 3: White Vinegar Application
Mix water with white vinegar in a spray bottle to spritz on the dirty tile and grout. Leave this mixture on the surfaces for a few minutes before rubbing firmly with a soft cloth or a mop. Allow the surfaces to dry thoroughly before checking for any remaining stains.
Tip 4: Baking Soda Paste
Pour baking soda into a small plastic bowl before adding a small amount of water to make a thick paste. Use your fingers to apply a tiny amount of the baking soda paste to the stained grout. Using the soft-bristled brush, rub at the stain gently to lift the discolorations from the grouting material. Rinse away the baking soda mixture to determine if the grout is clean.
Tip 5: Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment
For difficult stains, you can pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the discolored grout, or alternatively, you can mix the hydrogen peroxide with water in the spray bottle to lift the ugly stains. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the stained grout before the hydrogen peroxide application, and this leads to a bubbling chemical reaction that lifts stains from the grouting material.
Tip 6: Repeated Applications
When there are deep stains on the grout, you may need to repeat the cleaning processes several times to eliminate the discolorations. Allowing the tiles and grout to dry before each cleaning process can make the process easier.
Tip 7: Steam-Cleaning Equipment
You can buy a steam-cleaning machine to eliminate difficult stains from the grout. Make sure to read and understand the directions for steam cleaning to avoid any burns. Have a soft-bristled brush ready to scrub away the lifted debris, and also, use a damp cloth to clear away the lifted material. Learning how to make grout white again will improve the appearance of a room without the expense of removing and replacing the grouting material.