Let's face it. If your grout doesn't look good, your tile doesn't either. New tiles must be filled in with grout to prevent damage from water. But that grout must be maintained, and the wrong cleaner can cause the grout to become damaged and discolored. So what techniques are available to safely clean your grout?
Cleaning with Acidic Cleaners - Sulfamic or phosphoric acids are usually the main ingredient in acid cleaners. While mostly safe to use in a family household, it would be best to keep children and animals out of the room being while the cleaning takes place. The acids eat at the grout's surface, opening the pores and allowing you to apply sealers deep within the grout. However, since acid corrodes the grout, this method will shorten the life of the grout by a bit.
Using Alkaline Cleaners - Alkaline cleaners contain bleach and are effective on white grout with moldy residue. You can MacGyver your own mixture using standard bleach and water (usually 10 parts water to one part bleach). Be sure not to create suffocation hazards by working without proper safety measures. Take care to ventilate properly and wear respiration equipment to prevent from being affected by the bleach vapors. Any bleach not wiped up may also leave a thin film.
Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide - If you happen to be in possession of some hydrogen peroxide, as most families are, then you have a solid grout-cleaning agent. Once mixed with equal amounts of water and oxygen bleach, the liquid will have the cleansing ability of bleach, but without leaving any sort of film on your grout. A brush or piece of fabric can be used to spread the formula over the surface of the grout. After that, agitate the grout with a soft-bristled brush. The process may need a few repeats if the surface is especially badly stained.
Steam Cleaning - Grout cleaning is a service now offered by a large share of steam-cleaning companies. Dark stains can usually be removed with specialized grout steamers, which will also sanitize the surface. Carpet steamers, however, are too rough on the grout, so only choose companies that offer devices suited for the job. A machine with about 100 PSI steam pressure and around 300 degrees will work best.
Grout cleaning can refresh and revitalize your grout if done properly. The professional service or store-bought product that would work best for your grout depends on the types, severity and colors of the stains.
Cleaning with Acidic Cleaners - Sulfamic or phosphoric acids are usually the main ingredient in acid cleaners. While mostly safe to use in a family household, it would be best to keep children and animals out of the room being while the cleaning takes place. The acids eat at the grout's surface, opening the pores and allowing you to apply sealers deep within the grout. However, since acid corrodes the grout, this method will shorten the life of the grout by a bit.
Using Alkaline Cleaners - Alkaline cleaners contain bleach and are effective on white grout with moldy residue. You can MacGyver your own mixture using standard bleach and water (usually 10 parts water to one part bleach). Be sure not to create suffocation hazards by working without proper safety measures. Take care to ventilate properly and wear respiration equipment to prevent from being affected by the bleach vapors. Any bleach not wiped up may also leave a thin film.
Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide - If you happen to be in possession of some hydrogen peroxide, as most families are, then you have a solid grout-cleaning agent. Once mixed with equal amounts of water and oxygen bleach, the liquid will have the cleansing ability of bleach, but without leaving any sort of film on your grout. A brush or piece of fabric can be used to spread the formula over the surface of the grout. After that, agitate the grout with a soft-bristled brush. The process may need a few repeats if the surface is especially badly stained.
Steam Cleaning - Grout cleaning is a service now offered by a large share of steam-cleaning companies. Dark stains can usually be removed with specialized grout steamers, which will also sanitize the surface. Carpet steamers, however, are too rough on the grout, so only choose companies that offer devices suited for the job. A machine with about 100 PSI steam pressure and around 300 degrees will work best.
Grout cleaning can refresh and revitalize your grout if done properly. The professional service or store-bought product that would work best for your grout depends on the types, severity and colors of the stains.
About the Author:
Learn more about Grout Maintenance. Stop by groutmedicdenver.com to can find out all about Grout Staining and other services in Colorado.
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