One of the hardest areas to clean in the home is the grout between tiles, whether on the floors or on the walls. When it gets stained and discolored, it tends to make the entire room look dirty. So it is important to get it as bright as possible in order to freshen up the room. There are various ways that this can be accomplished. Sometimes, the best grout cleaner will be something that might be sitting right on the kitchen shelf.
Commercial products that are designed for cleaning tiles and flooring are often the best grout cleaners if there is not much staining and discoloration. If a heavy-duty product will be needed, there are commercial products available, but they come with precautions due to the harsh chemicals that are being used.
For the homeowner who would like to use natural products, there are a number of regular household items that can be used to do the job. The best grout cleaner for floors, which can also be used just as effectively on tile walls, is vinegar. This common household product can be used to freshen many items around the house, and it also has disinfectant properties. It can be mixed with water, one part water to one part vinegar, and applied with a spray bottle, using a toothbrush to effectively scrub all areas. It’s important to rinse thoroughly to ensure that the acidic nature of the vinegar does not act as a corrosive over time.
The best tile and grout cleaner can also be a paste that will work well for heavy soiling. The paste consists of one-third salt, one-third baking soda and one-third vinegar mixed together. These items can be used to handle jobs that require more of a workout due to heavier soiling. A toothbrush can be used for application if there are just a few areas to deal with, but a scrub brush will make the job go faster if larger surfaces need to be done.
For discolorations and stains, lemon juice can be used, but it does bleach, so it should not be used on anything that is colored, only white. Top quality chlorine bleach can also be the best grout cleaner if it is white, as it will help bleach away stains that are not being removed in any other way. Just be careful to test it first on an inconspicuous area to make certain that it will not remove anything that should not be removed. One part bleach to three parts water is the rule of thumb if this is the option that has been chosen. Anything stronger than that can cause erosion. Make sure the room is well ventilated as the fumes can be hazardous.
Sprays can do a good job, but the best tile grout cleaner is a paste with some scrubbing, even though it may take a little bit more elbow grease. Pastes consist of granules that can get into grout pores and help to lift out the dirt. If a homemade paste is used periodically in the bathroom and kitchen, the rooms will appear fresher and will have a brighter appearance. By regularly going over the appropriate areas, dirt, stains and grime will not have the chance to build up and create a job that will require a good deal of scrubbing.
It is ultimately up to the homeowner to decide what the best grout cleaner may be for him or her. It could be a commercial product or it could be a homemade mixture using items as innocuous as vinegar, salt, water, baking soda and lemon juice. Much will depend on how dirty the job to be handled. With a little bit of experimentation, the proper combination of substances can be found. Periodic freshening up will help to keep the room bright and sparkling.
