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Tile grout can be a real challenge to clean. What’s worse is that it makes your bathroom look like a science project. You can always get cleaning products from a supply store, but these cleaning agents usually contain harsh chemicals that can burn your skin or are highly toxic.
Fortunately, you can find alternative cleaners at home in relatively inconspicuous items, but what is the best homemade tile grout cleaner? Look at a list of substitute tile grout cleaners you can safely use.
1. Salt
This is a common item you can find at home. Every household is sure to have salt stashed in their kitchens. What’s good about salt is that it kills mold by absorbing its moisture. You’d want that happening to those pesky single-cell organisms.
Using salt as a cleaner is pretty simple. First, moisten the surface of the area you want to clean with a damp cloth. Then, sprinkle salt and scrub it with an old toothbrush. When you’re done brushing the surface, let the salt work overnight and clean it in the morning. Another perk you get when you use salt is that it’s also a good disinfectant due to its antibacterial properties.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is naturally acidic. That’s one reason why it’s an excellent alternative cleaner as well. Fresh lemon juice can effectively remove stains and is known to remove dark spots and skin blemishes.
Since it’s acidic, it makes the area unfavorable for mold and mildew growth. Soak the grout and other affected surfaces if you want to use lemon juice. Leave it on for ten minutes before wiping it off with a damp towel.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is another common item in every household that is great for cleaning. Like lemon juice, it’s similarly acidic. Vinegar is a good tile grout cleaner because it shares the qualities of lemon juice. Vinegar prevents the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew on grout.
Another advantage of using vinegar is that it can clean water spots and lime soap. To use vinegar, prepare a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar. Put the liquid in a spray bottle. Apply it on the tiled surface until the area is thoroughly soaked. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before scrubbing it with a sponge or brush.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is used in baked goods like cookies, cakes, and muffins. However,h you should not confuse it with baking powder. Unlike baking soda, baking powder isn’t a good cleaner because it has other ingredients.
Since baking soda has a mildly abrasive property, it can clean stains, such as water spots or residue from bathroom products. How can we use baking soda as a cleaner? Place some of the baking soda in a bowl. Dip a moist sponge in the powder and work it in the grout of tiled surfaces. Once you’ve scrubbed the area, wipe it down or rinse using warm water.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a mild antiseptic, and you may find it in first aid kits at home. It’s commonly used on scrapes, minor cuts, and burns. Hydrogen peroxide is also used as a whitening agent. You can find more substantial concentrations of this chemical in hair dyes too. It can also be used for cleaning at home.
To clean the grout, spray the hydrogen peroxide on the tile grout and allow it to bubble away. After a few minutes, you can wipe or rinse off the mess. It would be best if you remembered not to use hydrogen peroxide on dark-colored marble. This may discolor the marble. Unless you’re using it in an area with white marble, it’s best to choose a different cleaning option.
DIY Tile Grout Cleaner Combinations
Now that you know the typical alternative grout cleaner let’s look at some combinations that can be prepared in your home. These concoctions are sure to clean grout. They come with added perks like fragrance and grease-cutting properties.
Recipe 1
For this combination, you’ll need to mix a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, half a cup of baking soda, and a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide. Once the paste is thoroughly mixed, apply a generous layer on the grouted area to be cleaned. Leave it on for about five to ten minutes and scrub rigorously. After washing the area, rinse it off with water.
Recipe 2
This recipe is a mixture of a quarter cup of white vinegar, a third of a cup of fresh lemon juice, half a cup of baking soda, and three cups of water. Combine the ingredients until the baking soda is fully incorporated. You’ll need to ensure it has no lumps to spray it easily.
Place the liquid in a spray bottle and spray on the surface you want to clean. Let it sit there for a few minutes before scrubbing. Wipe off the residue with a rag or rinse it off.
Recipe 3
To prepare recipe number three, you’ll need to combine a quarter cup of liquid dish soap, half a cup of baking soda, and a cup of salt or Epsom salts. Mix the ingredients until you get a pasty consistency.
Spoon a good amount of the mixture onto the grout and work it with a microfiber cloth. Rinse after you’ve covered the total area.
What Is the Best Homemade Tile Grout Cleaner?
Now that you’ve gone through a list of household items, you can try them to see which is effective in your grout cleaning challenge. However, the most popular choice is the combination of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda—or recipe number one.
This mixture is effective because hydrogen peroxide is an excellent alternative to bleach. It’s not a harsh chemical but has disinfecting and bleaching properties. Adding baking soda makes the mixture abrasive, which can help remove stubborn dirt and stains. One downside about this solution is that baking soda may be too intense that it can damage your tiles.
The last of the ingredients is dishwashing liquid. This gives the mixture the ability to remove grease and grime. It helps cut through the oily residue on kitchen tiles as well.
What to Remember When Cleaning Grout
Before we wrap up the article, remember the following:
- Keep the area ventilated, especially for bathrooms. You’re using household stuff, but too much of the smell can be nauseous.
- The best homemade grout cleaner can’t be effective by itself. It’ll still need good scrubbing to work effectively.
- Bleach is effective because it’s a harsh chemical, but it’s also highly toxic. It isn’t enjoyable for the skin and eyes too. If you don’t want any risks, stay clear of bleach.
Final Words
Choosing the best homemade tile grout cleaner is not a big task, especially if you know the effects of each of the alternatives. You can try using the aforementioned winning recipe to determine if it’s effective enough.
Ultimately, whichever option you choose, you need to ensure it’s not toxic. If your choice doesn’t meet your expectations, you have enough household items on the list to concoct your tile grout cleaner.
