The grout fills the voids left between the tiles. Not only does it look good, but it prevents moisture and contaminant buildup while supporting the tiles, keeping them in place – most often in kitchens or bathrooms. Many don’t even notice it getting dirty until it starts to turn a darker color. Having dirty grout not only looks bad, but it can also be a potential health hazard – harboring bacteria and allowing mold to grow, so it needs to be cleaned regularly.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, MyJobQuote’s Sarah Dempsey and Olly Cavner, Operations Manager at Essential Living, shared their top tips on the most effective ways to clean tile grout using natural remedies rather than bleach.
Olly explained that although bleach is commonly used to clean areas around the house, it should never be used on grout. He said: ‘Many of us will use bleach as our go-to solution for getting rid of mold, but bleach is, of course, very toxic, not only to those who can breathe in vapours, but also for our waterways and aquatic environments.
“On top of that, bleach can also turn mold white unless it’s scrubbed well, which means bacteria may still be present on your tiles and able to build up again with it. time.”
Instead, the expert suggested, “Home remedies are an effective way to clean your tile grout without using harmful chemicals that we don’t want back in the waste water.”
“Whether you’re looking to remove mold and mildew, whiten your grout, or degrease it, there are a number of solutions to try.”
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For grout stains and mildew, the most common approach is to use baking soda, according to Olly, which homeowners can use to scrub the grout with a damp sponge.
He said: “For any mildew that is a little tougher on your baking soda, white vinegar is another product you can add to a spray bottle and spray on the baking soda. Let it sit on your grout for a few minutes before using an old toothbrush to help remove stains.
Sarah agreed to use the combination of baking soda and white vinegar to clean the grout. She asked, “Create a baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with water. Then, apply this paste to your grout lines.
“Once the grout is coated with the baking soda paste, mix vinegar with water in a spray bottle, then spray it on the baking soda in your tile grout. The mixture will start to foam. Once it has stopped foaming, scrub it with a brush. Then rinse the area with water and pat it dry.
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The cleaning pro also noted that white vinegar can be used on its own to banish grout. She said: “Vinegar is well known for being one of the most versatile and effective natural cleaners available.
“Vinegar is naturally acidic, which means it can inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and other types of bacteria.
“Simply mix distilled white vinegar with water in a spray bottle, then spray the mixture directly onto the tile grout. Let the stuff soak in for about 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub it off with a brush.
Although white vinegar is an effective cleanser, Olly cautioned that it should be used with caution. He said: “It’s important to remember that due to its acidic nature it can wear off over time on some tiles, so white vinegar is only recommended as a last resort.”
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean tile grout instead of using bleach. This powerful cleansing agent is often used to whiten and brighten. However, it is also an excellent disinfectant, sanitizer and deodorizer.
Sarah said: “Hydrogen peroxide is a great natural cleaning agent and has the benefit of antifungal properties.
“Pour some of the stuff into a spray bottle, then spray it directly onto the tile grout. Let it soak for about 10 minutes and then scrub.
Like baking soda, hydrogen peroxide produces an oxygen bleach, which is very effective at cleaning grout.
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