The grout in a bathroom or kitchen can really help the tiles “pop”, but if it’s dirty, it can also make the rest of the room look dirty. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to do everything within their power to keep their grout well maintained. How do you do that? Well, for anyone who doesn’t know, we’re going to show everyone reading this how to take care of their grout and keep it looking good for as long as possible.
Do A Quick Daily Wipe Down
The first step to maintaining fresh grout is to make sure that you clean your grout on a regular basis. And when we say regular cleaning, we mean at least every 2-days—if not every day. Sure, it can be a bit irritating to have to spray and wipe down your grout and tiles after a daily bath or shower but trust us, in the long run, it’s going to save you a whole lot of work.
It’s our recommendation that you buy the best tile cleaner that you can find, or perhaps make your own using a solution of four-parts water to one-part vinegar. It’s also our recommendation that you purchase a quality all-purpose shower squeegee, too. If you spray the tiles in your shower or bath after you use them each day with tile cleaner and then use your squeegee, you’ll keep them looking good for a long time to come. As you can see, this daily cleaning is quick and easy and should only take a few moments of your time.
Do A Weekly Deep Cleaning
The next step to better-looking tile grout is to do a deep clean every week. For this task, you’re going to want to get rubber gloves, a quality tile cleaner, and maybe a toothbrush dedicated exclusively to the task of scrubbing tile. If you don’t want to use a tile cleaner, you can always make your own by mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Make sure to apply it to the grout and let it sit before scrubbing it down with the toothbrush.
Deal With Stained Grout As Soon As Possible
If you have severely stained grout, then you’re going to have to use different tactics and a little bit more elbow grease. For cleaning grout, you can either use a bleach pen, use an oxygen-based powdered bleach or use chlorine bleach and a scrub brush. No matter what type of bleach you use, however, be sure to test it out on an inconspicuous part of your grout and tile to make sure that it’s not going to damage or discolor it.
Using A Grout Renewal Product
If bleaching the grout doesn’t restore it back to its original beauty, there is something else that a person can try, and that something is a grout renewal product. These products basically color the grout to the color of your choosing. That allows the grout to look like new even when it’s not new. Some products even have grout sealers in them to help prevent the color from being worn away.
Speaking Of Grout Sealer
Since we’re mentioned grout sealer, it might just be worth it to go into a little bit more detail about it. After restoring or replacing your grout, you are going to want to make sure to use a quality grout sealer to protect it. The following section is dedicated to finding and using grout sealer to keep your bathroom or kitchen tile grout in excellent condition.
Step One: Assemble Your Tools
The first step to using grout sealer is to make sure that you have the right tools available. Regardless of whether you’re replacing the grout or simply restoring it, you are going to need the following basic supplies to get the job done. Let’s take a quick look at them, shall we?
- Small Scrub Brush
- A Sponge
- A Toothbrush
- Grout Sealer
- Vinegar
- Water
- Dish Soap
- A Cleaning Cloth
Step Two: Clean The Grout And Tiles
Using some of the methods we outlined above, make sure to thoroughly clean your tiles and grout. Once that’s been done, make sure that they’re both dry before proceeding towards sealing the grout.
Step Three: Apply The Sealer
Following the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the grout, apply the grout sealer. Usually, this involves carefully working from left to right, making sure not to get any grout sealer on your tiles. If you do get sealer on your tiles, be sure to immediately wipe it up to prevent it from ruining the appearance of your tile.
Step Four: Let It Dry Before Reapplying
Once the first coat of grout has been put down, it’s time to take a break from the entire process and let the grout completely dry. Normally, this can take anywhere from 30 to 60-minutes, but grout sealers are all different, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. One it has fully dried, a second coat can be applied. Most grout sealing manufacturers recommend a minimum of two coats to be applied to the grout and some of them require as many as four coats. Just be sure to follow the recommendations on the product’s label for the best results.
How To Tell When Tile Grout Needs Replacing
Of course, if none of the above steps take care of your problem, then you might need to replace your tile grout completely. There comes a point in the lifespan of any tile work when the grout has outlived its useful lifespan and needs to be promptly replaced. Below are some signs that your grout may need to be replaced.
- The Grout Has Begun To Crack
- The Grout Won’t Get Clean Or Can’t Be Restored
- Tiles Have Begun To Come Loose
In any of the above circumstances, it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace the tile’s grout. Once the grout has been replaced be sure to use a quality grout sealer to keep that grout looking as good as possible for as long as possible.
