How do you clean the grout on a ceramic tile floor?
Grout is porous: it absorbs the dirty mop water and turns black, especially in commercial entrances and washrooms. Here is how to bring back its colour.
Updated
Quick answer
To clean blackened tile grout, apply an alkaline grout cleaner or a paste of baking soda and water, let it work for 10 minutes, scrub with a grout brush, then rinse and wipe. Once the grout is clean and dry, a grout sealer protects it from dirt.
Time: 1 to 2 hours for a commercial washroom
What you need
- Alkaline grout cleaner, or baking soda
- Sodium percarbonate (“oxygen bleach”) for very blackened grout
- Grout brush or an old stiff toothbrush
- Mop, clean water, cloths
- Grout sealer (optional, recommended)
Steps
- 1
Sweep and wash the floor
Remove the surface dirt before tackling the grout.
- 2
Apply the product
Spread the grout cleaner, or a paste of baking soda and water, directly on the grout lines. For very blackened grout, use percarbonate diluted in hot water.
- 3
Let it work
Leave it for about ten minutes, without letting it dry.
- 4
Brush
Scrub each grout line lengthwise with the brush.
- 5
Rinse and wipe
Rinse with clean water and wipe so the dirty water does not settle back into the grout.
- 6
Seal
Once the grout is perfectly dry (often 24 hours), apply a grout sealer so it absorbs less dirt.
When should you call a professional?
For large areas, professionals use a scrubbing machine with brushes and a wet vacuum, which are much faster. HygiePro includes ceramic floor care in its commercial cleaning service.
Frequently asked questions
Does white vinegar damage grout?
Yes, over time: cement-based grout is attacked by acid. Occasional, diluted use is not a problem, but avoid it for regular maintenance.
What is the best cleaner for tile grout?
An alkaline cleaner made for grout, or sodium percarbonate for blackened grout. Bleach whitens but does not degrease, and its fumes are irritating.
How do you keep grout from turning black?
Change the mop water often, use a neutral cleaner for daily washing and seal the grout once or twice a year.