Ceramic and porcelain tile are utilitarian floor and wall surfaces for any space where splashes and spills are part of its daily functions. An easy swipe of a cloth and most of your mess disappears from the tile.
But what about the grout?
Grout is a porous material that obviously does a great job of keeping the tiles together on the floor or on the wall, but it won’t be your best cleaning friend. It has a tendency to hold onto the grime that your cloth or mop sweeps over, especially if it hasn’t been sealed. To prevent the staining that can result from the dirt, it’s a good idea to give it a nice scrubdown.
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For the do-it-yourselfers, there is a great, natural, and “green” concoction that will make grout grime disappear. Stephanie of “Gathered in the Kitchen” and her little ones took some toothbrushes to her bathroom floor with this recipe that produced wonderfully immediate results:
- 7 cups water
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Ultimately, the best way to clean grout for longer-lasting results is to hire a professional. Carpet cleaning services normally offer grout cleaning though there are some companies that specialize in it. Using a powerful, enviro-friendly air spray, the cleaning imperfections are removed from the grout, and then the joints are covered with a clear sealant to protect them from further wear and tear.
Clean grout lines both liven up your ceramic or porcelain tile and also make you feel better about cleanliness in your home. If you have a knack for scrubbing and are looking for a more temporary solution, then doing it yourself is the best option for you. If eliminating and preventing dirt and grime build-up in less time is more your style, then hiring a pro will be the most effective for your space. Either route you decide, you will definitely see great results.