Steam Grout and Tile Cleaning Guide
Whether you have a tiled shower, floor, back splash or patio, grout cleaning makes it look nicer and helps the grout stay in better condition longer. Cleaning correctly saves times and money and gives you the best finished appearance. Learn the general methods and then the specific ones for the type of grout you are cleaning to get your grout looking as good as new.
General Grout Cleaning:
Begin by wetting the grout with water and scrubbing it with a brush that has medium stiffness, non-metal bristles to loosen any dirt or grime that is already there. Next use a mild cleaner such as vinegar diluted with water or baking soda mixed with vinegar to form a paste. You can also use bleach on white grout and tile. Be sure to dilute it with water (4 parts water to 1 part bleach) and use rubber gloves. Dirtier grout often needs stronger, commercial or professional grout cleaners. Let it sit according to the directions on the container and then clean it off.
Steam Cleaning Grout:
A steam cleaner provides a deep clean that pulls dirt and grime out of all the little nooks and crannies and does a great job with the most porous kinds of grout. It also sterilizes, which reduces mold and mildew growth. It can decrease the amount of scrubbing you need to do. Borrow or rent a steam cleaner if you do not already own one.
Specific Cleaning Tips:
Bathroom grout: Most problems with bathroom grout are from mildew or mold. Clean the bathroom on a regular basis to remove the mold and prevent discoloration.
Kitchen grout: Dirt, food and general grime get stuck between the tiles, accumulating especially around appliances and in the cooking areas. Letting the cleaner remain on the grout will make it easier to get all the gunk out and off of it.
Floor grout: Dirt from outside gets brought into the house and caked onto the floor grout as it is walked over every day. Stronger products or steam cleaning are often needed to clean the deeply embedded dirt from the grout.
Outdoor grout: There are grout-scraping tools just for outdoor use. Remove mold, moss and dirt with a scraper and wash off with a pressure washer.