Are you frustrated with how to clean your filthy tile grout? Most household owners are annoyed when thinking about making their tile grout white again. Also, it was believed that cleaning tile grout will take most of your time which is why it is one of the most skipped cleaning chores. But! Tile cleaning must be considered, especially in the kitchen. This is where the grease and food debris got stuck, making the grout fade and clump. Because tile grout is porous, it can quickly come off and absorb dirt or grime.
That is why in this blog, you will know how to make your tile grout sparkle again. It may be a big task, but there are ways to clean the grout without spending much money and time.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TILE GROUT
It is essential to know the common types of tile grout. This is because tile grouts have different uses and maintenance. So before buying tile grout, make this your reference on what to choose.
🎯 Epoxy grout
AdvantageÂ
Epoxy grout has become more popular and is widely used among tile builders. This is used commonly in flooring and shower wall. Epoxy grout is generally made from epoxy resins with filler powder. Using epoxy grout is a great idea because of its durability, and you won’t have stain issues. This type of grout is also waterproof because it is made from two different resins that create bonds and tightness when applied to the tile. This is why it is advisable to use it in the shower area. Using epoxy grout is recommended if you want your tile to be chemically resistant.
Disadvantage
But, remember that with all of its benefits, epoxy is way more challenging to work with. After applying epoxy grout, you will notice that it look like plastic that may not be aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Since epoxy takes so much time to set up, it is harder to achieve the shape in outside corners where tile wraps around a curb.
Some epoxy grouts are designed for glass tile only, though there are regular epoxies that can be used for other types of tile. But the difference in this variant is the filler of the epoxy. The filler used in epoxy for glass tiles is super fine that it won’t scratch the tile during application.
🎯 Cement grout
AdvantageÂ
Cement grout is made from a powder mix that has a cementitious finish. Using a cement grout is advantageous because it becomes stronger when it absorbs water, but it can stain easily, unlike epoxy grout. Cement grout is also cheaper than epoxy and is usually applied to different parts of the house.
Disadvantage
Colorization is challenging to achieve on cement grout, primarily tan, brown, or mocha color. This is because the pigment of the cement grout is washed off during cleaning. That is why white is usually the color of cement grout.
WHAT IS A GROUT HAZE?
One thing that can make your tile look dirty is grout haze. This is the left residue after grouting, and when not attended to as soon as possible, it may be difficult to remove it due to hardness.
To clean the grout haze, you will need a quarter cup of ammonia and vinegar, half cup of baking soda, and 1 liter of water. Mix them all together and use a spray bottle to apply it to the tile haze. Let it sit for minutes, then wipe it using a sponge.
So if your tiles are newly installed, expect that grout haze will be visible within ten days, and you need to clean off everything that’s left on the tiles. If not removed, the grout haze will become a thick white film and can make your kitchen floor and wall slippery.
DEEP TILE CLEANING
If your kitchen tiles have been sitting there for years, this is the right time to make them thoroughly clean and bring them back to life.
🧽 Pre-cleaning
You will need a mop, broom, scourer, and warm water. Get also a heavy-duty tile cleaner, and make sure you’ll wear protective glasses and industrial gloves. To start, sweep the tiles first to get rid of all the gout debris, and dust on the floor, and if you are cleaning wall tiles, use a microfiber cloth. Do not quickly jump to a tile cleaner solution. It is advisable to mop your tiles first with warm water. This way will protect your grout by absorbing enough water to hold the pieces together.
🧽 Tile cleaner
Then, add the tile cleaner to the bucket of water, and don’t forget to wear your facemask, glasses, and gloves. This is because tile cleaners may emit strong fumes that can irritate your nose, eyes, and skin. Remember not to experiment with the measurements of the tile cleaner because it may explode or ruin your tiles if mixed with other chemicals. So follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damages and injuries.
Also, do not forget to remove all the things that are in your kitchen, wherever you plan to clean. Keep all the edibles in a tight container to prevent contamination and chemical poisoning. Restrict the kids from coming into your kitchen if you are currently using a powerful tile cleaner so that you can avoid accidents due to slippery floors and contact with chemicals.
🧽 Scrubbing
After you apply tile cleaner, it’s time to release all of your energy to scrub the tough marks on every tile. You can use a scourer that is appropriate for the type of tile you have to prevent unwanted scratches. After scrubbing, finish everything by wiping or mopping the tiles with warm water. Use an S-motion so that you won’t just scatter the dirt acquired from scrubbing.
🧽 Post-cleaning
To prevent making your grout accumulate so much dirt, always wipe your wall and floor tiles after every kitchen use. The dirt in your tile grout usually comes from the splattered oil while you cook. That is why it is vital not to skip the tiles when cleaning your kitchen.
Lastly, keep your chemicals in a very secluded and high area of your home. This is to prevent the kids from reaching your tile cleaners and accidentally ingesting them. And aside from these, do not mix your tile cleaners with other chemicals and materials in food contact. It may be common sense, but this is sometimes forgotten, especially if you are exhausted from all-around cooking and cleaning.
MAINTAINING THE TILE GROUT
🛑 Choosing the right tools
Your tile grout can last for years if you use appropriate tools when cleaning the tile. Usually, people use a broom or vacuum cleaner, and these are sufficient to get the loose dust and the haze or salt of the grout. However, for weekly maintenance, a steam mop is recommended. This is for the moisture, agitation, and heat that are effective in removing the dirt.
🛑 Chemicals
You can also use a toothbrush with stiff bristles to remove the dirt and grime from the grout lines. Though there are various tile cleaners in the market, it is crucial to choose a cleaner that has a neutral pH to prevent damage to your tile. So purchase (or create) a solution that can eat away the excess grout and grease.
🛑 Tile professional
But if you are afraid of damaging your tiles due to aggressive cleaning, it’s time to call a tile professional. Your grout lines will be able to be cleaned deeply and effectively because these professionals have special chemicals that can clean and seal your tile for you.
BOTTOM LINE
Now we’re done listing the ways how to clean your tile grout. It may seem hard at first because you are thinking about the time and monetary expenses. But, as you start cleaning the corners of your kitchen using the methods mentioned above, you will notice that it’s easy and not time-consuming. Remember that cleaning your tile grout must be practiced, especially if you always forget to wipe your tile wall and floor after cooking. If you have an expansive kitchen, you can start corner per corner every day to prevent burnout due to cleaning.
I hope this blog will help you a lot so that you’ll gain back your confidence in inviting visitors to your kitchen. Remember that no matter how expensive you spend on your appliances and kitchen sets, you won’t still be proud of yourself if your kitchen is dirty. So go and clean your kitchen before your visitor knocks on your door.
If you want to change your kitchen flooring, click this link to guide you in choosing the best option.