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What is grout?

Grout is a porous material that builders use to fill the spaces or cracks between the tiles. It creates a smooth solid floor, wall, or backsplash and makes the tile pop. The most common type of grout is cement grout. It is made from a mix that includes water, cement and sometimes sand.

Is bleach bad for tile grout?

Grout is porous so it absorbs the bleach down to your subflooring, baseboards where it can do even more damage and cannot be rinsed away.

We recommend not clean with chlorine bleach because it is toxic and pollutes indoor air. You should not use bleach when cleaning grout and tile because bleach is a base with a pH of around 12 meaning it is a highly alkaline substance which can cause severe burns or injuries. Because of its high pH bleach can be corrosive and slowly destroy the materials it touches including grout and tile finishes.

How to clean grout?

The secret to clean­ looking tile floors, walls and counters? Clean grout. Tile resists dirt and stains but grout is porous and absorbs dirt and spills, so it stains easily. In an entry, dirt and grime stains the grout. In a kitchen, spills are to blame for dirty grout. Soap, mold and mildew make dirty grout in a bathroom. Here’s how to clean grout in any part of your facility:

First, wipe down the grout with hot water to remove surface dirt and grime. Next, spray a cleaning solution on the grout. You can mix your own by putting a 50­-50 mix of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spray on the grout, let stand for five minutes and then scrub with a soft brush. Use a toothbrush or other small scrub brush to scrub the grout. For extra scrubbing power, use an electric toothbrush. Don’t use a metal brush as it will scratch the tile and could knock out pieces of the grout. Rinse thoroughly with hot water when you’re done.

You can also use commercially prepared grout cleaners. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean floor grout. Use these caustic products sparingly, because regular use will erode the grout.

For stubborn grout stains, mix a paste of two parts baking soda and one part water. Apply it to the stain, let it sit overnight and then scrub with a nylon brush. Rinse thoroughly with hot water when you’re done.

If you have coarse or porous tile like marble, use a less acidic solution because vinegar can stain the tile. Try mixing one ­part peroxide to two ­parts baking soda and scrub the grout with a soft brush. Knowing how to clean stained grout in stone tile will keep you from damaging your floor.

You can also use sandpaper to remove stains from grout. Fold the sandpaper and work the creased edge back and forth along the grout line. You can also use a pencil ­top eraser. Rub it back and forth across the stained grout line. Rinse thoroughly with hot water when you’re done.

Once you are done cleaning, let the grout air dry, for 24 hours, then put on a silicone­ based grout sealer to resist future stains and dirt. You’ll need to reapply the sealer every two years, or more frequently if the grout is in a high­traffic area.

Knowing how to clean dirty grout improves the look and extends the life of your tile. Should you require larger are commercial, retail or office grout cleaned, CBF Management’s experienced staff is at your disposal. We provide service in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Mission, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack. For all janitorial service needs, office cleaning, post construction cleaning, retail, showroom and window cleaning, we can book an online appointment. Visit https://www.cbfcanada.com for a quick quote or call us at 1-604-375-7895.