Unsealed tile floor grout can be a challenge to keep clean. Depending on where the tile is located in the home, you might end up doing it more frequently than in other places. Floor tile adds a tremendous impact to the overall beauty of a room. The popularity of tile is directly related to the wide variety of different sizes, shapes, styles, and colors. While tile is relatively easy to keep clean, unsealed floor grout has a tendency to accumulate dirt, stains, and grime.
Keep Clean to Retain Beauty
As time goes on, and the tile is traveled on more, the grout will begin to collect dirt, mud, water, and stains that will drastically change its appearance. What was once a bright white is now going to be a dingy gray color. Cleaning the tile on a frequent basis, will help the tile retain its beauty and shine.
Clean Floor
Using a broom or vacuum, sweep the floor of any dirt and debris. You can also mop the floor with some warm water and mild dish soap. This will help loosen up any surface dirt and grime.
Test a Spot
Using a small area of the floor, test a small spot in the grout to make sure the cleaning products will work. Sprinkle some baking soda on the grout and then pour a little vinegar on it. It will begin to foam. Let it work for a few minutes. This foaming is a chemical reaction that will begin working on the stains in the grout. Scrub off with a small hand brush to see if it worked.
If not, apply some of the chlorine bleach. Again, let is set up for a few minutes and then scrub with a small brush. Choose whichever method works best on the grout. Chances are, the baking soda and vinegar will work just fine.
Spread Baking Soda
Sprinkle the baking soda on the grout lines throughout the room. Follow this up with the vinegar. Again, it will begin to foam immediately. Let this happen for a few minutes and then begin scrubbing the floor with the floor brush. Apply a firm pressure and work it back and forth across the floor.
Mop up the Floor Tiles
After scrubbing it until the dirt comes off the tile floor grouting, mop up the water and let the floor dry.
Steam the Floor Tiles
In the event that there is still some grout stain, use a floor steamer and slowly work it across the tile floor. Mop the floor again to clean off any dirt residue on the floor.
Bleach
If you opted for the bleach, pour it into a bucket and use a small hand brush to scrub the grout. Make sure you wear rubber gloves and eye protection to guard against any splashes. Once you have scrubbed the floor, mop up the remaining bleach and residue. You should have sparkling white grout afterwards.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
