Thursday, March 21, 2019

Natural Homemade Grout & Tile Cleaner

Combining "green" ingredients like baking soda with old-fashioned elbow grease works just as well as chemical cleaners in most cases, the Environmental Protection Agency reports. If you have a challenging tiled area in your bathroom or kitchen, consider giving it an initial scouring with baking soda first. Add the power of white vinegar if your tiles and grout have soap scum or film. If the grout remains dirty or mildewed, give it special attention with a paste of baking soda and water. A spray of food-based hydrogen peroxide, available at health food stores, may put the final nail in the mold's coffin.

Things You Will Need
  • 3 to 4 cups baking soda
  • 1 cup white vinegar (optional)
  • 2 to 3 cups warm water
  • 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 35 percent strength
  • Sponge or microfiber cloth
  • Old toothbrush
  • Clean, dry cloth or squeegee
  • Spray bottle

  1. Sprinkle baking soda on a cloth or sponge that has been dampened with either warm water or vinegar.
  2. Rub the sponge or cloth over both the tiles and grouting. Dampen the sponge with water or vinegar as needed, and add more baking soda to the sponge as needed.
  3. Rinse out the sponge and replace it with an old toothbrush for the grout-only cleaning. Rub the baking soda into the grout with the toothbrush.
  4. Rinse the tiled area with warm water.
  5. Mix baking soda and warm water in a medium plastic bowl until the mixture reaches a paste-like consistency.
  6. Work the baking soda mixture into the grout with the toothbrush.
  7. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide at 35 percent strength.
  8. Spray the grout twice with the hydrogen peroxide formula, with an interval of at least 30 minutes between sprays.
  9. Leave the mixture on overnight.
  10. Rinse the tiled area with warm water. Wipe tiles and grout with a clean, dry cloth or squeegee.

Tips
  • Borax may be substituted for baking soda.
  • Baking soda is helpful for keeping shower and sink drains clog-free organically. Scoop any leftover baking soda mix into the drain, let it sit for a few minutes and run hot water into the drain.
Warning
  • White vinegar may scratch ceramic tile. Use it cautiously, or substitute warm water for vinegar when scouring tiles with baking soda or borax.

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