Tiles might seem simple to keep clean, as you just have to wipe them down, but their grout lining often becomes brown and sticky over time unless you use the right products. Grout is made of cement and sand, which means it has tiny pores that will absorb any grease, spills, soap, or other stains it comes into contact with.
Cleaning grout can be very difficult because stains often develop into mould that becomes trapped in the pores, and you cannot reach it by simply trying to scrub it away. However, other cleaning products like bleach are too harsh on grout and may cause the white lining to turn yellow or begin to crack.
Luckily, Lona, a cleaning expert and the founder of Making Lemonade, has shared that cleaning grout to get it white again is actually quite easy. You just need some baking soda and vinegar.
She said: “Baking soda is a mild abrasive that gently scrubs away dirt and grime, while vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant and breaks down tough stains. Together, they create a powerful mixture that tackles dirty grout without the need for harsh chemicals like bleach.”
White vinegar is one of the best ways to clean grout. It can penetrate porous material and is naturally acidic enough to kill mould spores.
Baking soda is a natural, gritty cleaner that can be used as the base for your cleaning solution. It is naturally gritty and will scrub stains away without requiring a harsher chemical product.
How to clean grout to get rid of mould and other stains
You will need:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth
- Spray bottle
- Rubber gloves
Method:
If the tiles are on the floor, vacuum the area first to help loosen any trapped debris. If you are cleaning tiles on walls, wipe them down.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda along the grout line. If you are cleaning wall tile, mix the baking soda with a little bit of water to form a paste that will stick to the surface.
Place the white vinegar in an empty spray bottle, then lightly spritz the baking soda. You need to spray enough vinegar so the cleaning solution starts to fizz and bubble, which helps loosen the stains.
Leave the white vinegar and baking soda for one to two minutes until the fizzing begins to die down. You need to leave it alone as it will need time to break down the mould or other organic matter.
Then, simply grab an old toothbrush and begin scrubbing the grout lines. The dirt should come away quite easily as you clean. Once you are done, use a cloth to wipe away the baking soda, and your grout should be sparkling white once again.