How to Clean Grout With Baking Soda and Bleach
Dirty grout can make even the cleanest bathroom or kitchen look dingy. Fortunately, a simple mixture of baking soda and bleach can effectively clean and brighten your grout. Here's how:
What you'll need:
- Baking soda: This acts as an abrasive, helping to scrub away dirt and grime.
- Bleach: Bleach kills bacteria and mold, and also helps to whiten the grout.
- A spray bottle: To mix your cleaning solution.
- An old toothbrush: For scrubbing.
- A damp cloth: For wiping away the solution.
- Rubber gloves: To protect your hands from bleach.
- Eye protection: To protect your eyes from bleach.
Instructions:
- Protect yourself: Put on your rubber gloves and eye protection.
- Mix the solution: In your spray bottle, combine equal parts baking soda and bleach.
- Apply to grout: Spray the solution directly onto the grout lines, ensuring you cover all areas.
- Let it sit: Allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes to loosen the dirt and grime.
- Scrub: Use your old toothbrush to scrub the grout lines. Pay attention to any particularly stubborn areas.
- Rinse: Wipe away the cleaning solution with a damp cloth. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Repeat if necessary: If your grout is heavily stained, you may need to repeat the process.
Tips:
- Test in an inconspicuous area: Before cleaning your entire grout line, test the mixture in a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn't damage the grout or surrounding tiles.
- Ventilate the area: When using bleach, ensure proper ventilation to avoid inhaling the fumes.
- Don't mix bleach with other cleaners: Mixing bleach with other cleaning products can release harmful fumes.
- Don't use bleach on natural stone: Bleach can damage natural stone surfaces like marble or granite.
Aftercare:
- Seal your grout: To prevent future staining and make cleaning easier, consider sealing your grout after cleaning.
By following these simple steps, you can easily clean your grout and restore the shine to your tiles!
