Maintaining Grout – Guide

Like other homeowners, you may also have to deal with grout in one form or another. Grout is common in kitchens, bathrooms, and even floors. While it is quite attractive and functional initially, poorly-maintained grout can also home many germs.  It is rare to find someone about the harmful effects of poorly-treated grout. But, it is quite hard to find homeowners that know effective ways of cleaning and maintaining grout. After all, grout can be quite stubborn when you try to get rid of it.

It takes quite a lot of time and effort to clean tough and stubborn grout when ignoring it can cause many troubles. For instance, it can invite infectious-causing germs or even erode with damage from water. However, you can clean and maintain the grout to make it last for a year. 

What is Grout?

Grout is the material that keeps the beautiful tiles in your kitchen and bathroom intact and together. It has a light-colored porous surface, while you can describe the texture as sandpaper-like. The filler is added between tiles to fill the gaps and reinforce the bonds. 

Usually, grout is nothing but a simple mixture of water, colorant, and cement. At times, it may also contain sand. Typically, you will find un-sanded grout in smaller spaces that are even less than half an inch. On the other hand, sanded grout goes in spaces that are larger than ½ inch. 

New grout looks beautiful, and it is also incredibly effective at delivering its function. But, the inability to maintain grout can lead to stains, erosion, and even germs. 

Everyday Cleaning Routine

To prevent premature damage and staining, you can follow a quick and efficient wipe-and-spray routine. While it can seem annoying when required to do on a daily basis, doing so saves a lot of work in the long run. 

You can get a good-quality squeegee and run it on the tiles and glass walls in your bathroom to get rid of excess water. Then, you can use your daily shower cleaning solution to spray it on the tile and glass. This way, you won’t need to scrub a lot, and the grout will stay unstained. 

Weekly Cleaning Routine

A weekly cleaning routine is also critical, along with your daily grout cleaning. This is because soap and body oils get quite stubborn after clinging to surfaces, even if you clean the tiles and glass walls and doors on a daily basis. 

To carry out weekly cleanings, use a preventive cleaning mixture made with baking soda and water. After making the paste, use a grout brush or an old toothbrush to rub it in the grout. Then, rinse it all with clean water after a thorough scrubbing. You can also use hydrogen peroxide instead of water if you see stains more than usual. 

Is it Important to Seal grout?

While daily and weekly cleanings are great for grout maintenance, these cannot prevent mold and bacteria buildup. In fact, its porous quality allows it to trap dirt and grime. As a result, grout quickly becomes a breeding ground for fungus, mold, and bacteria. 

Sealing the grout can prevent this and ensure the health and safety of your family and you. So, make sure you apply a grout sealant in accordance with your usage patterns and traffic. 

For instance, hallway floors are high-traffic areas but don’t experience a lot of moisture. On the other hand, bathrooms see less traffic yet are more exposed to moisture. 

Sources

• https://homewarranty.firstam.com/blog/got-grout-cleaning-maintenance-tips#:~:text=Sprinkle%20Bon%20Ami%20(or%20Comet,grout%20thoroughly%20with%20warm%20water.
• https://www.southbayresidential.com/grout-cleaning-maintenance-tips/
• https://www.bestpickreports.com/blog/post/all-about-tile-maintenance-grout-cleaning-repair/