The Best Inexpensive Options for Cleaning Your Grout
Keeping your home clean and tidy requires a lot of effort and time. This is especially true when you consider the many small spaces that require special attention, such as the grout between your tile floor tiles. It’s easy for dirt, grease, and other debris to build up in these hard-to-reach places, making your home look unappealing and also increasing the risk of indoor contamination from mold and bacteria. Grout cleaning can be an expensive process, but luckily there are several cheap ways to restore your tile floor to its former glory. Whether you have a smaller area or whole house to tackle, here are some cost-effective tips on how you can get those grouts looking fresh again.
Bleach and Baking Soda
If your grout is particularly dirty, you can use bleach and baking soda to clean it. Mix the two ingredients together to form a paste, and then use a soft cloth to rub the mixture into the grout. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then scrub the area with warm water. This method works well at lifting stains and discoloration caused by rust and mildew, but it isn’t as useful for removing stubborn dirt and grease. If you have a large area to clean, then this could also be quite time consuming. This is an inexpensive method of grout cleaning, as you can use common household ingredients that you may already have. However, it is important to note that bleach can be harmful to both the environment and your health if it isn’t used correctly.
Manual Grout Scrubbing
This is the most traditional grout cleaning method, and can be carried out with either a sponge or a stiff-bristled brush. For stubborn dirt and grease stains, you can mix a small amount of cleaning fluid or a heavy-duty cleaner in water, and use this to scrub the grout. One advantage of using a sponge is that it is less likely to scratch your tile than a brush, which could cause damage over time. This is also a relatively eco-friendly way to clean, and you can use water heated to a low temperature to avoid damaging your tile. However, using a sponge can be time-consuming, and you may need to repeat the process several times.
Dry Rot Discs
Dry rot discs are a cheap and effective way to clean your grout. These discs are available in a variety of colors, so you can choose one that matches the color of your grout. This method is particularly useful for cleaning grout that is discolored due to staining, as it won’t remove the color completely. To use the discs, simply insert them in a rotary tool and slowly rotate them over the grout. The discs will scrape away any stubborn dirt or stains, and leave your grout looking clean and fresh. Dry rot discs are a cost-effective grout cleaning method, as one disc can be used to clean multiple tiles. You can also use these discs to clean tile that is stained due to algae and mold.
Rotary Discs
Rotary discs come in a variety of sizes and shapes, and are a relatively effective and inexpensive way to clean grout. When cleaning your grout with rotary discs, it is important to choose the correct shape and size so as not to cause damage to your tile. Rotary discs can be particularly useful for cleaning grout that has been stained with rust or algae, as they can remove both the discoloration and any dirt or grease that may have built up in the grout. Rotary discs are a cost-effective way to clean your grout, as they can be used to clean a large area in a relatively short amount of time. However, they aren’t suitable for all types of grout, so it is important to choose the right disc for your tiles.
Conclusion
Cleaning grout is an often neglected but important part of home cleaning. Regularly cleaning grout will not only make your home look cleaner and more tidy, but also reduce the risk of indoor contamination from mold and bacteria. You can choose from a variety of different grout cleaning methods to suit your tile type and level of filth. Keeping your tile clean is a relatively easy process that can be done in a short amount of time, and it is well worth the effort as it will transform your home.
Image Source: Unsplash
