Homeowners often look for advice on grout cleaning because there are many different possibilities when it comes to tile and grout cleaning. For example, there is a wide variety of grout cleaning agents to choose from as well as grout cleaning tools and grout cleaning methods. You need to find the right combination because not taking care of your grout properly can mean having to replace it all long before you should have to.
If you are cleaning your grout yourself then you are most likely going to be doing it by hand. As a result, you need a grout cleaning tool like a brush. There are many different kinds of cleaning brushes out there to choose from but a good grout cleaning brush will have two important characteristics. First, the bristles in the center should be longer than the ones around the edges. You want the bristles to be able to penetrate the grout lines without long bristles on the edges getting in the way and blocking access. Second, the bristles should be of medium hardness so that they do not tear the grout but that they are strong enough to penetrate the pores. If you do not want to spend time on your hands and knees and the grout is not too dirty requiring scrubbing, then you might try steam cleaning grout and tile with a steam mop instead.
The second area where you need advice on grout cleaning is in choosing a grout cleaner. There are many different products to choose from and the right one will depend on what is staining your grout. Some are meant to kill mildew while others are just for stain fighting. Another helpful piece of advice is to test any new grout cleaner before using it on a large area because you want to make sure it will not harm the grout. If you have colored grout you should be especially careful with new cleaners because you do not know if they will fade your color.
Even if you do everything right, it is still a good idea to have your grout cleaned by a professional every once in a while. Whether you get an extra service from your janitorial cleaning service or hire a professional cleaning company to come to your home, you need the power and experience of professionals cleaning your grout occasionally. Professional cleaners have access to industrial strength cleaners that might work on a particularly stubborn stain. They also have more powerful equipment that can help if you need to get really deep into the grout for cleaning.
The last piece of advice on grout cleaning that I will share is that it is best to avoid grout cleaning as much as possible by trying to prevent the grout from ever getting dirty in the first place. Grout sealant is a great way to avoid getting dirt down in the pores of the grout where it gets trapped and makes the grout appear dirty and to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Topical sealers will form a protective layer on top of the grout while penetrating sealers will get down in the pores and form chemical bonds with the grout effectively eliminating the pores by filling in the holes.
Related posts: