Bathrooms tiles get covered in grease, dirt, soapscum and limescale, but they’re quite easy to clean so we don’t lose too much sleep over it. But the grouting between the tiles is a completely different kettle of fish.
When mould and dirt take hold, grout becomes very difficult to get clean. And it’s almost impossible to return it to its original brilliant white colour — or at least that’s what some people think.
If your bathroom grouting is looking dirty unattractive, it’s time to take the issue seriously. If you perform the following steps, you could transform the look and feel of your entire bathroom.
Clean it
The first thing to do is clean the grouting. Yes, it will probably still be discoloured afterwards, but you can’t restore it if it’s covered in soapscum, grease and dirt. There are dedicated cleaning agents for the job, as well as limescale remover. However, a particularly effective method involves creating a paste of baking powder and vinegar. Scrub the paste into the grouting with an old toothbrush.
Alternatively, if you’re dealing with mouldy grouting, a bleach-based cleaner can deliver excellent results. However, these agents are notoriously caustic, and they can cause damage to clothing, certain surfaces and even your skin.
Give it a day
Once you’ve finished scrubbing your tiles, give them a day or two. Once they’re dry, you can assess what needs to be done. If dirt remains, wash again — using a different method. For example, if your baking soda hasn’t done the trick, try using a dedicated cleaning agent.
Note: If you use bleach, you must make sure that you rinse the tiles fully afterwards. If bleach gets on the skin or in the eyes, it can do some pretty serious damage.
Try steam
While cleaning tile grouting with a toothbrush can be effective, it’s laborious, time-consuming work. Unless you have two or three hours spare, it’s probably not going to be the best option. If time is of the essence, you need to get hot and steamy.
A handheld steam cleaner delivers a steady, thin jet of superheated steam exactly where it’s needed. Just fill it up, turn it on and point it. When the steam gets to work, you’ll see dirty water streaming down your tiles — this means it’s working. Steam removes dirt, but it also cuts through grease, soapscum and limescale. It’ll also take care of any mould and mildew on the grouting.
The great thing about using a steam cleaner to clean tile grouting is that you won’t need any chemicals. You won’t have to worry about causing a health hazard, and you’ll be able to complete the job in a fraction of the time using a toothbrush takes.
Getting your grout white again
Once everything has dried, you might be left with some slight discolouration. There may be spots of mould or small accumulations of soapscum that are detracting from the whiteness of your grouting. If this is the case, you’ll need to address each mark individually.
The best way to do this is by creating a mild solution of bleach and water. One part bleach and five parts water should do the trick. However, be sure to wear protective eyewear if you’re making the solution yourself — and when you’re applying it.
Dip a cotton bud into the bleach solution, and apply it to the discoloured areas of grouting. While this will take a little time, it’ll ensure that your grouting ends up looking as good as new.
Dirty grouting is relatively easy to clean, but getting it white again can be tricky. Follow these steps, and even the dirtiest of tiled walls will end up looking showroom new again.