Tile and Grout Cleaning Tips
How to Keep your Tile and Grout Clean
Tile and grout cleaning can be tricky in any room. Bathrooms and kitchens tend to have large amounts of foot traffic along with tiled floors. Grout can be colored, smooth or textured allowing dirt and grime to stow away in every crevice. The first thing to remember about tile and grout cleaning is you should always keep a clean floor. This can be accomplished with regular vacuuming and mopping. Keeping your floors free of standing water can also help. Bathrooms and kitchens are notorious for spills and humidity. If your older grout has cracks and crevices, standing water can start to cause mold and mildew. Thus making the cleaning process even harder to tackle. Read further to find some tile and grout cleaning tips.
Tile and Grout Cleaning DIY
Tile and Grout Cleaning Prices
The following tips are a great way to clean your tile and grout while saving money. If you feel that the stains in your grout are compatible for cleaning on your own, be sure to read the tile and grout cleaning tips below.
Tile and Grout Cleaning – Sandpaper
In many cases, the stains on your grout are just on the surface. If soap and water has not done the trick then sandpaper might work ($1.58 five pack). A rough, small piece of sandpaper can be easy to use in those small places. Work into areas of grout to ensure a layer of grime is taken off sufficiently and wipe residue with a dry rag. Sandpaper works best when your grout is rough and textured.
Tile and Grout Cleaning – Eraser
If sandpaper seems a little too rough for your grout, you can always try an eraser. Since the majority of pencil erasers are pink, there could be a risk of color transfer. Try to find a gum eraser ($1.00) at your local craft store. They are used for artists on soft paper and are generally a neutral color. They pick up colors by placing the gum directly on the stain, rather then the rubbing effect of a generic eraser. This would work better when your grout is smooth.
Tile and Grout Cleaning – Solutions
There are many solutions on the market that claim to clean your grout and tile. Unless you know of a brand you prefer, there is no reason why creating your own solution wouldn’t work. Combine a cup of bleach ($1.98 a gallon) to a gallon of warm water, this can do the trick. Spray the grout with the solution and scrub with a toothbrush until stains are removed. Allow the grout to dry and treat stains again if still existent. Always make sure you wear safety gloves and masks when dealing with bleach. If there are windows in the room, open so the air can be ventilated outside. If children or pets come in contact with the bleach don’t hesitate to contact poison control.
Tile and Grout Cleaning – Removing Grout
If you feel that your grout is too dirty to clean or you simply want to re-grout with another color, you can always remove grout and start from scratch. You can use a grout-removal tool or a rotary tool with a carbide tip ($29.00) to redo smaller areas of grout, such as in a bathroom. Once you have removed all grout you can then start with the grouting process. You can change the look of any area with upgrading the color and texture of your new grout ($8.00 five lbs. powder).
Tile and Grout Cleaning – Professional Services
Tile and Grout Cleaning and Removal
When you feel that your tile and grout cleaning is too large of a job, you can always have a professional clean or replace it. Since many different companies have a variety of prices per square foot, along with the severity of the damaged area, you will have to look up a local service provider near you for prices. Many companies will offer free estimates so you have the opportunity to shop around.
Tile and grout cleaning can be a cheap and easy way to redo a room. You can change the color and texture of your grout to make an older room look clean and lively.
