Let’s face it: cleaning tiled areas can be a bit of a struggle.

And one of the worst contenders is tile grout!

Cleaning floor tiles and bathroom tiles themselves is relatively straightforward – a thorough mopping or wiping will get the job done.

When it comes to the gaps between them however (read: grout),  present the biggest challenges.

How to clean dirty grout

Unlike tile, grout is highly porous – it has a tendency to absorb moisture, bacteria, mould and more.

It’s these qualities that make cleaning dirty grout such a tedious task. Combine that with how hard-to-reach most tile grout is, and you have a recipe for frustration.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way!

Step 1: start by mopping it out

Just like any other domestic cleaning job, the first step is to remove any surface level dirt or debris. Before applying any tile or grout cleaning solution, you’ll want to mop out the area.

Since the vast majority of tile messes are only surface-level, this is about as far as you’ll need to take things regarding your tiles themselves in many cases.

Step 2: perform spot cleaning

Not all surface-level stains and messes will come loose with mopping. In these cases, your next course of action is to perform spot cleaning using a brush and appropriate cleaning products.

Once you’re done with this, it’s time to shift your attention from your tiles to your grout!

Step 3: mix vinegar and baking soda with hot water

While grout may take on a lot of mess, that doesn’t mean it’s hard to clean. In fact, you can even do it using common household products!

We’ve talked before about the wonders of baking soda and vinegar. When it comes to tile grout, they’re just as effective.

What you’ll want to do is create a mixture of baking soda, vinegar and hot water. This will make a bubbly, frothy mixture which you can then apply to your grout.

Step 4: wait

Rather than immediately start scrubbing, the first thing you’ll want to do with this mixture is to leave it for a few minutes until the bubbling effect subsides.

That’s because the bubbling is a chemical reaction – one that’s strong enough to remove many household stains. As it reacts, it’ll lift many of the stains or particles that can seep into tile grout.

Step 5: brush and rinse

Once the reaction has settled, it’s time to get to work.

While the chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar might lift or loosen stains, it’s still on you to remove them. We recommend using a toothbrush and scrubbing like your life depends on it.

With particles loosened already, brushing or wiping them away is relatively simple.

Step 6: apply steam cleaning

If you have a handheld steam cleaner at home, it’s also a good idea to use this in your tile grout cleaning. This removes stains and bacteria without the need for vigorous scrubbing – if you have this, use it!

Step 7: seal with grout sealer

After you’ve dried-off your tiles and grout, the next step is to protect your grout from future bacteria and damage.

Enter, grout sealer.

Grout sealer protects your grout from ugly, brown discoloration by creating a waterproof barrier. This stops any moisture (and associated bacteria) from soaking into your grout and causing ugly stains.

Step 8: if all else fails, contact the Masters

Deep cleaning your grout can be one of the most challenging areas to clean and disinfect. Sometimes, the messes in your grout are so deep that even these techniques won’t do the job.

What do you do then? Simple: call the Masters!

If you don’t have the time, energy or right cleaning materials to keep your grout dirt and stain-free, then contact a professional for tile and grout cleaning.

Combining specialist tools with unique cleaning products, professional cleaning reaches deep into your tile grout, completely eliminating those ugly brown and grey lines!

Deep clean dirty grout like a pro with the help of Master Cleaners!

Your tiles and grout shouldn’t be a breeding ground for dirt and germs. Luckily, we can help with that!

Master Cleaners specialises in the jobs that are too big, too tough or to challenging to pull off on your own. That includes long, time-consuming slogs like grout cleaning.

We offer a range of tile and grout cleaning services fit to your needs:

• Domestic tile and grout cleaning
• Commercial tile and grout cleaning
• Specialised tile and grout cleaning

With almost 20 years of cleaning tiles and grout in Melbourne and Sydney, Master Cleaners are the team to call.

Contact us today at 1800 11 22 34 or request a quote for any of your cleaning requirements.