Tech Tip: Cleaning tile grout joints

tech tips

Tools required:

Safety glasses

Rubber gloves

Scrubbing brush

Small (1″ wide) plastic spatula

Large sponge

Light coloured cloth

White scouring pad

Bucket of water

Homemade cleaner:

Baking soda

White vinegar (or alternatively, bleach)

Combine ¾ cup baking soda with ¼ cup white vinegar or bleach

Mix thoroughly until ingredients are blended completely into a paste

Note: the cleaner consisting of bleach is more potent than the white vinegar version, so take the following precautions:

  • Work in a well-ventilated area with a ceiling fan or portable fan if available
  • Wear safety glasses and gloves
  • Wear clothing that you don’t mind doing household chores in as bleach can discolour fabric on contact

How to:

  • With the plastic spatula, collect the cleaning paste and place it over the grout you wish to treat, spreading it evenly as you go. Move the excess paste along until it is finished and reload your spatula as required.
  • Using a scrubbing brush, run along the grout joints to help the cleaning process.
  • You should allow at least 15 minutes for the cleaner to activate before you start rinsing the grout. If you are cleaning the grout in a shower stall, the activation time will most likely be closer to 30 minutes.
  • Half fill your bucket with water.
  • Wet your sponge and wipe over a few of the grout joints and determine the desirability of the results. If you are happy, proceed to wash off all of the cleaning paste from the grout and tiles.  If the grout still appears dirty, use the white scouring pad to further scrub the grout joints.
  • When satisfied, rinse the tiles and grout joints with the sponge and clean water.
  • Wipe down all the tiles with a towel and allow to dry.

Note: wet grout darkens a few shades so allow the grout to dry to see the full extent of your handywork.

It is advisable to seal the grout joints after treating as this will keep them clean longer.

If you don’t feel comfortable in doing this on your own, we can undertake to seal or even change the colour of your grout using an epoxy grout colourant and sealer.  It is also very important to maintain the grout joints and silicone seals around the bathtub.  If they are showing signs of wear or are failing, we can renew them for you.  Contact us for a free estimate or to discuss a partial or full bathroom remodel.

Bonus step:

Contact renovateme! design and construction at 604.761.2421 or request a quote

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