Removing Grout Stains

If you have mold or mildew stains on the grout in between your bathroom tiles, it can ruin your enjoyment of a peaceful bubble bath. It can also make you want to pull the shower curtain closed to hide your bathtub from your guests. If you take the time to tackle this ugly stain, you will be able to enjoy a clean bathroom again.

First, scrub away any mold or mildew that will come off easily with paper towels or a cloth. This is the easy part.

After the first step, you will need rubber gloves, goggles, and maybe even a face mask. While wearing all of this safety equipment, you can tackle the stubborn stains with a commercial grout cleaner or a strong all-purpose cleaner. Keep windows open to allow for the ventilation of fumes. Spray the cleaner on the grout and scrub at the stain with a stiff scrub brush or a grout brush. Once you have removed as much as you can, spray the area with water to rinse thoroughly. Rinse twice for good measure.

Give the bathroom a break in order to allow for ventilation.

Next, rinse again, then attack the remaining mold or mildew with a bleach-based cleaner. If you want to make your own, simply make a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water. Spray and scrub with a clean scrub brush. Once you have scrubbed the remaining mold and mildew away, rinse well. Wipe dry with paper towels or a clean cloth.

Another method you can use to attack the grout, which may be easier since it involves less scrubbing, is to rent a steam cleaner and steam clean the grout. Be sure to wipe the grout dry after you have finished.

Yet another method is to use white vinegar in a spray bottle and scrub the grout with a toothbrush. Dry the grout afterward with a paper towel. This is easier on your lungs since it produces no fumes, and it kills the mold and mildew. Be aware that using vinegar and a toothbrush will take a little bit longer than other methods.

If you just have a little bit of mold or mildew, a simple scrub with a shoe whitening tube and a brush can get rid of the mold before it can grow.

There are also products available which can help you to simply scrub away the mold or mildew. Take a look in the cleaning section of your grocery store.

You may want to purchase a grout sealer to prevent mold and mildew from buildup again. This grout sealer should be reapplied once a year, but can make it a lot easier to keep your bathroom shiny. If the tiles are wiped after each bath or shower, it is easier to keep the tiles and grout clean, mold free, and shiny.