How To Get Grout Clean On Tiles

Since grout is a porous and rough surface, it tends to pose cleaning challenges that are not present on the surface of glazed tile or polished stone. Dirty-looking grout is usually a combination of dirt, Mould and mildew. To be effectively cleaned, a combined attack is needed — one that reaches into the tiny pores of the grout and stops mildew at its source.

For Moulds and mildews to grow, they need a moisture source, a food source and a bit of warmth. The best method of control is by reducing the food and water sources for Mould. The food source for most of these Moulds is our own skin cells and the soaps we use. The phosphates found in some soaps are also a great fertilizer for this growth. Keeping these residues at minimum levels will reduce potential Mould growth.

To reduce moisture, you could use a squeegee or a towel to wipe down the walls of your shower after every use. I'm not quite that motivated; in my home I leave the bath door wide open after a shower to allow the humidity to dissipate and this seems to work for me. Running a bathroom exhaust fan also helps pull humidity out of the room.

Bleach is one of the most common substances used for "whitening" things, so you might be tempted to use it to whiten stained grout. While chlorine bleach kills mould spores, simply spraying it on is not enough to break the mould growth triangle (water, food and temperature).

Here's why bleach alone won't work: The "dirt" in your tile grout is behind a layer of soap scum, and this layer need not be thick and obvious. Keep in mind most of these cleaning reactions are taking place at a molecular level, and a layer of soap residue a thousandth of an inch thick can prevent the "bleach to dirt" contact.

That's why physical scrubbing or the use of acidic chemicals (like the phosphoric acid found in toilet bowl cleaner) can break through this soap layer. One of the problems of using these harsh chemicals (aside from the environmental and skin contact issues) is the destructive effects to the grout itself. Grouts are cement-based and can be eroded by acidic compounds. Bleach is less destructive to the grout than phosphoric acid, but you'll need to scrub in order to for it to be effective.

One option is to regrout your tiles with a dark-colored grout. White grout is always harder to keep looking nice than dark grout. When I chose the grout for my own bath remodel, I used a non-sanded type in a "butter cream" shade for the shower, which complemented the tiles and was good match for the "sandstone" color grout I used in the travertine floor. These colors are pretty true to "dirt" in their appearance, so they look cleaner than white grout looks after several years of use.

If regrouting isn't your thing, here are a few alternatives to bleach and corrosive chemicals:

• Vinegar (a dilute acid).
• Baking soda (here a poultice is made for scrubbing).
• A combination of baking soda and vinegar (chemical scrubbing happens automatically).
• Bon Ami (this is calcium carbonate - a green option that will require some scrubbing).
• Borax (scrubbing required).
• Oxygen bleach powder.
• Steam cleaners (these use heat to your advantage).

Remember, ventilating your bathroom well to keep the humidity levels down is the best prevention.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 0423 011 301 or leave us an enquiry using the enquiry form at the top right side of our website and one of our operators will call you back.

We cover all suburbs.

The secret to great looking tiles is great looking grout. Grouts are porous and, as a result, they easily absorb grease, dirt and lime scale. Spillages such as wine, lemonades or any greasy substances could cause marks and patches in the joints in the floor. Grout between wall-tiles, particularly in damp areas like bathrooms, could and will become dirty and unattractive as a result of Mould, Mildew and Limescale.

Mould is one of the most unsightly problems, it usually starts off in the wettest area of the room, like the bottom of the shower or bath, and if left unchecked it could spread to cover a large area of the wall.

In bath or shower areas, continued use of acid formulated shampoos and soaps will cause discolouration of grout joints, causing yellow orange and pink stains to appear on the grout over time, so you should protect your grout using a sealer which forms an invisible barrier between the grout and the surface, protecting your investment for years to come.

After we clean & sanitize the tiles & grout and allow it to dry, we seal the grout with our impregnating grout sealers. The grout absorbs the color sealer into its pores, creating a barrier against future staining. (Grout Sealing Creates a Sanitary Finish, Easy to Maintain and Stains Simply Wipe Off). Grout Sealing preserves the natural beauty of the grout lines for years to come.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 0423 011 301 or leave us an enquiry using the enquiry form at the top right side of our website and one of our operators will call you back.

We cover all suburbs.