How to quickly clean tile joints: advice from professional cleaners

Markers are one of the cheapest ways to clean dirty grout between tiles – the cost of such pens starts from 55 rubles. They are very simple to use – the application of the product is not easy, but very simple.

“The first thing to know is that markers don’t actually clean grout. Many of them contain additives that kill mold, but they do not remove the dirt, but simply paint it. You could say they create the illusion of cleanliness,” says Katie Cohun, director of cleaning company franchises.

If you are not looking for the most effective method of cleaning tile grout, but the quickest, then a marker is what you need. It is very practical and helps hide stains, but after use, the treated seams may differ in color from others. Professional cleaners advise using a marker on areas whose stains could not be removed by other methods.

The list of tips for cleaning grout quickly and effectively often includes melamine. Its main advantage is its ease of use: you do not need other detergents and you just need to wet the sponge itself.

“The melamine sponge works like very fine sandpaper: When wet, it glides easily across the surface you are cleaning, picking up and retaining dirt,” says Ann Ruozzi, owner of a cleaning company.

According to Ann, melamine has two significant disadvantages that make it difficult to clean the joints. Firstly, it tolerates grease very poorly: the pores of the material become instantly clogged and it loses its cleaning properties. Secondly, it is not for nothing that such sponges are called eraser: they erase during use, leaving crumbs on the surface. The cleaners’ advice for cleaning the grout between the tiles in this case is simple: save the melamine for other cases.

This is a simple and affordable DIY grout cleaner that uses ingredients you’ll know you have on hand.

Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, half a cup of baking soda, and a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide. Apply the solution to the joints, leave for 5 to 10 minutes, then scrub the joints with a stiff toothbrush, then rinse with clean water. “When you mix baking soda and peroxide, it triggers a reaction that helps break down grease molecules and organic debris, and soap aids this process,” says Katie.

A foaming paste made by mixing baking soda, soap, and peroxide works great: it effectively removes grease and dirt and also helps remove stains from tile grout. Its main disadvantage is its consistency: the paste flows from vertical surfaces, which reduces the effectiveness of soaking – so you will have to use the toothbrush for longer.

Some tile grout cleaning secrets are very easy to incorporate into your cleaning routine, and this is one of them. All the ingredients for making pasta are in your kitchen and you can prepare them in minutes.

Mix the juice of half a lemon, a tablespoon of nine percent white vinegar and soda – you should get a liquid paste. Use a toothbrush to scrub the grout, then wipe away any remaining product with a paper towel. Don’t use grout cleaner without sealing – vinegar will destroy the grout over time.

“This is a great product – the dirt will be separated from the grout literally before your eyes. It has only one drawback: it is not suitable for untreated grout. Do you know if the seams are sealed? Throw water on it – if it changes color or gets cloudy, no,” says Robb Roderick, technical trainer for the National Tile Contractors Association.

No surprise: professional grout cleaning advice often boils down to recommending the use of special products formulated to remove even the most stubborn stains.

“Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions: they indicate both the types of grout the composition is applicable for and how long you need to wait for it to do its job,” says Ann.

You will love the results: the professional products act quickly and are very effective. However, there are some disadvantages: firstly, you have to work in gloves, secondly, you will have to put up with a strong chemical smell, and thirdly, the spray will flow down the walls – this is not very convenient . And finally, these products are more expensive than vinegar and soda – the price starts from three hundred rubles and can amount to several thousand.

Such pastes remove everything – carbon deposits, plaque, grease, rust, oil, soot, bitumen, paints, oil, bitumen, traces of pencils and felt-tip pens. They also fit everything from the sink to your hands. (It seems that only hamster and ficus were not included in the list of items that can be cleaned with such pastes.)

Just like the spray, just follow the directions on the label.

“A dime-sized amount of paste on a microfiber cloth is enough to remove dirt, grease and stains from grout. The consistency allows the product to be used to clean both floors and kitchen splashbacks,” says Katie.

A great alternative to disinfectant cleaning products – no strong odors, no chemical residue to wash away. Steam is a great choice if there are children or pets in the house.

Simply point the nozzle at the area you want to clean, press the button, then wipe away stains and dirt.

“Steam cleaners do a great job of removing bacteria, grease and dirt, but they don’t always remove tough stains. Additionally, some are difficult to hold due to their weight, but it all depends on the specific model,” says Robb.

Also Read: 10+ Unexpected Ways to Use a Steamer While Cleaning: Tips from Cleaners

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