You know that icky black stuff in between your tiles? The grim that takes so much effort to get rid off? Well, apparently there's an easier and greener way to do it. I'm all for green methods, especially if it means I have to break into much less sweat. Heh.
Article taken off http://home-owner-tips.suite101.comHow to Clean Grout in Bathroom and Kitchen Tiles
Easy and Effective Grout Cleaning Tips for Homeowners
Feb 1, 2010 Prerna Malik
Grout in tiles can become really dirty and grimy. Here are some easy and effective ways to clean grout in kitchen and bathroom tiles and keep them looking fresh and new.
Grout is a mortar-like compound that is used to hold the tiles together and also, prevents water and other liquid from seeping through the gaps. Kitchens and bathrooms are two areas with more tiles than any other room and because of the high traffic and moisture in the air; the grout tends to become dirty, moldy and grimy. Here are some ways to clean grout easily and effectively.
Cleaning Grout with Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is available in powdered form and can be safely used to clean tiles and grout. According to Tim Carter in The Washington Post, “Oxygen bleach is nontoxic, doesn't produce harsh fumes, and is color- and fabric-safe.” Moreover, the bleach is effective at removing food and greasy stains since the oxygen ions break up the stain molecules, making it easy for homeowners to simply scrub a little and rinse grime away.
Carter recommends mixing good quality oxygen bleach with warm water according to manufacturers’ instructions and then pouring the solution on the floor to flood the grout lines. Allow the solution to sit for at least 15 minutes before beginning to scrub. It is a good idea to keep pouring fresh solution while scrubbing since this will make it easier to remove stains and grime.
Green Cleaning Tips for Grout
Homeowners can clean grimy and moldy grout with an eco-friendly yet effective cleaning solution, which is made by mixing half a cup of vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with water and spraying this solution on the moldy grout. Use a toothbrush to loosen and scrub away the grime. This may take a little time but it is an effective and safe way to clean the tiles in the kitchen or bathroom.
Using Commercial Grout Cleaners
There are many commercial, chemical grout cleaners available in the market. However, homeowners should try to clean grout first by using either oxygen bleach or home made cleaning solutions, since these options are infinitely safer and better than chemical-laden commercial cleaning solutions, which may harm one’s health and well-being.
Tips for Keeping Grout Clean
Homeowners can keep tiled flooring clean and grime-free by following a few simple tips.
Tim Carter recommends adding oxygen bleach powder to water used for mopping. Allow water to sit in the grout joints for 30 minutes. Rinse with clean water after 30 minutes to keep grout looking clean and new all the time.
Install an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathroom to remove the excess moisture from the air.
Wipe stains and other marks clean as soon as possible.
Cleaning grout may certainly be a challenging task yet with the right cleaning solution, it can be easy and painless. Using cleaning solutions such as oxygen bleach will surely keep grout looking fresh and clean.
