Have you received compliments from guests on your new grout? Most likely not, that’s because grout is often ignored by our guests and us. It can often have sand, dirt, and grime piling up just waiting to be cleaned. No matter if it is a larger grout line in your kitchen or a thinner line in the shower, grout must be cleaned. Here are some tips and tricks on preventing and treating grout stains.
You can make a homemade grout cleaner consisting of baking soda and water, which will turn into a paste to spot treat grout stains. Leave the paste on for about 2-minutes and then rinse with water and dry. If you have harder stains, try mixing a solution consisting of half hydrogen peroxide, half water, and add baking soda. Apply the mixture with a soft brush to the stained grout allowing it to sit for 15-minutes, then rinse with water and dry. Another popular homemade solution is a mixture of white vinegar and water.
With nothing else to try you can resort to bleaching white grout by mixing bleach and water together. Bleach can cause deterioration and wear away the sealant, so you will not want to do this on a regular basis. Avoid using bleach on a colored grout which can cause the color to fade and can also stain anything around it.
It is better to take a proactive approach vs a reactive approach. Most experts recommend that you seal grout every 6-months to 2-years depending on the wear of the area. Areas that are regularly exposed to water like showers, need sealing more often. Sealing the grout can provide an extra layer of protection so liquids cannot get into the porous surface of grout lines.
The more often grout is exposed to liquids, the more opportunity there is for mildew or mold growth. Showers can’t be kept dry, but you can decrease the odds of mildew by drying out the shower by leaving the door or shower curtain open for air circulation. Another helpful tip is to use a squeegee after every use which will aid in a faster drying time.
Reach out online with any questions or to discuss new hardwood, carpet, or LVT flooring options. Our team of experts are here to help.
*We always recommend testing any cleaning solution in a small area first and refer back to directions on the cleaner along with checking with the manufacturers of the product for directions on cleaning their product.
