Grout Cleaner

Tile can make a beautiful addition to your home. Whether it is installed on the wall, floor, counters, or any where else, tile adds a unique and sophisticated look to any area in your house. It is usually easy to care for, and it won't take too much upkeep for your tile to remain beautiful and clean.

Even though tile care is fairly straightforward, there is one thing you should be wary of with tile: the grout. The grout between the tiles can easily become dirty, dull, and stained due to its porous nature. What makes matters worse is the fact that this material is not easy to clean. Even if a mess wipes away from the tile with no problems, cleaning the grout is another story. You may end up scrubbing for a long time with results that are barely noticeable.

The key to effective grout cleaning is the cleaner and cleaning method you choose to use. Not just any cleaner will work against stained grout, and even if you do have a good cleaner it might be worthless if not applied correctly. Combine the right cleaner and tools to do the best possible cleaning job.

If you have dirty grout that could use cleaning, these tips can help you get the job done:

• For a natural cleaner, combine baking soda and vinegar into a paste. Use a scrub brush to clean the grout thoroughly.
• Use non-abrasive cleaner on your tile and grout. This will help you to avoid damaging the surface during cleaning.
• Use cleaner on the grout often. The more you clean the grout, the less difficult the job will be. This is because the dirt and grime won't have a chance to build up and become stubborn to remove.
• Find a good cleaner formulated to work well on grout. This can take some of the time and work out of cleaning.
• Use a stiff bristle brush as opposed to a sponge or other cleaning tool. The stiff bristles work well to remove stains from the grout's surface.
• Use bleach, peroxide, or rubbing alcohol to help brighten the grout area.
• Seal the grout after it has been thoroughly cleaned. This will protect the grout and prevent dirt from sticking again.

Keep your tiled surfaces properly maintained by regularly cleaning them, and don't forget to seal the grout.