Tips for Using All Natural Grout Cleaning Products

A clean bright tile floor whether in the kitchen or bathroom can be a work of beauty in your home. The great challenge of tile floors (and walls) is keeping them clean and casting the ageless appearance. One of the most unsightly areas of a bathroom or kitchen is dirty grout lines. Cleaning grout between tiles is a tedious job that requires a lot of elbow grease, determination, and a good cleanser. There are a variety of commercially made cleansers that are effective at removing mold and mildew from tile grout. The downside to these expensive cleansers is that they bad for the environment. The good news is there are several environmentally friendly grout cleaners found in the home.

Baking Soda

When combined with very hot water, baking soda is a very effective grout cleaner. Simply apply the hot baking soda and water paste to the grout with toothbrush. It will remove any mold and mildew when vigorously scrubbed with brush. Rinse the baking soda cleanser away with very hot water and dry. The end result will be brighter grout with a clean smell as the baking soda deodorizes the area. Another effective cleanser though a little more expensive is the baking soda based whitening tooth pastes. The gritty texture and cleaning powers of this everyday oral hygiene produce will make not only your teeth brighter but also the grout.

Natural Lemon Juice

If you have lemons, make lemonade, right? Well lemons and natural lemon juice also serve as a terrific grout cleaner. Do not opt for the artificial lemon juice. It has to be natural. Apply the juice to the grout and let it stand for about five to ten minutes and scrub.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Peroxide mixed with water and applied via spray bottle is a terrific combatant against mold and mildew in the grout. Simply use a 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts water and combine. This ultra cheap grout cleanser will last you a long time at a fraction of the cost of environmentally unfriendly cleansers.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Mixing vinegar and baking soda together sounds like a third grade science experiment, right? This elementary science lesson works wonder on grout. Simply sprinkle the baking soda in the grout lines and apply some vinegar on top. Let the chemical reaction occur and settle for about five to ten minutes before scrubbing. The fizzing of the cleaning solution will eat away at the grout mildew very quickly. Rinse tiles and grout with water and wipe clean.

Bleach

Bleach may not be the most earth safe product to use, however it is okay to use when severely diluted with water. Mix a gallon of water to cup of bleach. Wearing gloves and eye protection, work the solution into the grout with a brush.

Vinegar and Water

Create a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar. Apply the solution to the grout lines and work in with brush. The acidity of the vinegar will quickly eat away at the mildew leaving a clean bright grout lines.

These are more than few examples of environmentally safe grout cleaners to try when cleaning tile grout. Keep in mind that although these cleaners are earth friendly, one should still exercise caution by using protection for eyes and hands when applying. Also, keep the mold and mildew at bay by ensuring the room as adequate ventilation whether installing an exhaust fan or keeping a window open whenever possible.