Effective ways to clean the grout between bathroom tiles at home

Constant humidity, sudden changes in air temperature and condensation on the walls in the bathroom - all this contributes to the fact that the seams between the tiles very quickly turn black and become covered with limescale, mold and mildew.

Restoring cleanliness to tiled surfaces in the bathroom will not be difficult, provided the correct methods are used.

We’ll tell you in this article how and how to clean the seams between tiles in the bathroom (and not only).

How to remove plaque using improvised means?

To clean the seams between tiles quickly, efficiently and safely, you can use available tools that can easily be found in any home.

Table vinegar and baking soda

Baking soda is a natural abrasive that, when combined with table vinegar, will quickly and carefully clean surfaces of dirt and mold.

Algorithm of actions:

1. In a clean glass container, combine baking soda and vinegar in equal proportions.
2. The resulting mixture, using a toothbrush, is carefully applied to the seams between the tiles.
3. After ten minutes, the cleaning mixture is washed off and the surfaces are wiped with a brush.

For particularly dirty areas, cleaning with baking soda and vinegar should be repeated two to three times.

Ammonia

Regular treatment with ammonia will help keep the seams clean for as long as possible.

Algorithm of actions:

• dilute 2 tbsp in two liters of water. ammonia;
• The resulting solution is used to treat the seams between the tiles (for convenience, the mixture is poured into a spray bottle);
• After fifteen minutes, the surfaces are thoroughly washed with clean water.

Soda, lemon, vinegar

Using just three ingredients - baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, you can make an excellent whitening solution.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Mix 4 tbsp in a clean glass container. baking soda, 100 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 50 ml of 9% vinegar. The resulting mixture is diluted with 1.5 liters of clean, cool water.
2. Using a hard sponge, rub the seams with a cleaning compound.

In the process of combining soda, lemon and vinegar, a lush foam is formed, so it is better to mix the solution in a deep bowl.

Details of the process are in the video:

White

Whiteness can not only bleach, but also remove all microbes and mold spores from the surface of tile joints.

Algorithm of actions:

• whiteness is diluted with water (2 tablespoons of bleach are enough for 1 liter);
• the resulting solution is poured into a spray bottle, after which the seams between the tiles are carefully treated;
• after ten minutes, wash off the treated surface with clean, cool water.

In order to clean particularly contaminated areas, Whiteness is mixed with baking soda (to a paste-like mass). The resulting product is applied to the tile joints with a spatula.After fifteen minutes, the mass is cleaned with a stiff brush.

White should not be used to clean colored surfaces. (color change possible). Also, cleaning using Bleach is carried out only in a well-ventilated area, protecting the respiratory system with a respirator or mask (bleach vapors are toxic).

Lemon juice, mustard, soda and toothpaste

This multi-component product will help not only lighten seams, remove mold spores and dirt, but also degrease the surface.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Dissolve 100 grams of baking soda, 75 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tbsp in one liter of water. mustard powder and 1 tbsp. toothpaste.
2. The resulting mixture is spread onto the tile joints using a toothbrush.
3. After twenty minutes, the cleaned surface is thoroughly washed off with water.

How to clean with household chemicals?

Those who believe that to clean the joints between tiles can use any household chemical that comes their way are mistaken. This is a serious misconception.

So for whitening joints on glossy glazed tiles Do not use products that contain acid. The result of such cleaning will be completely damaged, tarnished tiles.

Chlorine-containing products are only suitable for white tiles. Do not use dry abrasives for cleaning. Along with clean seams, the tiled surface will acquire deep scratches and abrasions.

When choosing a product for bleaching tile joints, pay special attention to the consistency of the composition. An excellent option is thick emulsions or sprays.. They do not flow down the surface, but penetrate deeply into the grout and effectively fight mold and dirt.

Chlorine-containing products

TOP 3 popular chlorine-containing products:

MELLERUD

The cleaning product cleans tile joints as quickly and efficiently as possible. Depending on the degree of contamination, the composition is applied both pure and diluted (proportion 1:3).

The average cost is 530 rubles. (volume 500 ml).

Domestos Professional Grout Cleaner

An effective grout cleaner. Suitable for all types of tiles. Does not flow down the surface. Removes dirt, grease, mold and mildew.

Mode of application: shake the bottle, apply the product to the dirt, rinse after five minutes. The average cost is 500 rubles. (volume 750 ml).

Clean seam MasterGood

An effective chlorine-based product will quickly remove plaque, mildew, mold and other contaminants from the space between tiles.

The average cost is 240 rubles. (volume 500 ml).

Whitening Pencil

TOP 3 best pencils for whitening tile joints:

Bradex "Snowball"

In a matter of minutes, it will return the lost whiteness to a yellowed space.. The pencil contains special waterproof ink with a translucent effect. Covering the seams with a thick, dense, even layer, they cover any stains, traces of mold, or dirt.

The average cost is 200 rubles.

Grout-Aide

Convenient and easy to use. Just press lightly and draw a line of the required length with a pencil. (there is enough paint for 50 meters of seams). Shake the marker well before use.

After drying, the snow-white line completely masks any dirt and traces of mold. The pencil is moisture resistant.

The average cost is 500 rubles.

Edding grout marker

Waterproof ink covers the space between the tiles in a dense layer, returning the seams to their original whiteness. Odorless, does not smear on the surface, dries quickly.

For best results, before use, place the pencil with the tip down, slightly pump it up and down, after which the marker is ready for use.

The average cost is 450 rubles.

Oxygen bleach

TOP 3 effective oxygen bleaches:

Persol

Powdered bleach based on active oxygen will easily clean tile joints from any dirt.

The average cost is 10 rubles. (weight 10 g).

OTSU O2 Power

Oxygen bleach does not contain chlorine. Gently cleans surfaces between tiles made of natural materials (marble, granite). Removes stubborn dirt, eliminates mold and mildew.

The average cost is 440 rubles. (weight 1000 g).

LION Clean Plus

An effective remedy for removing dirt from tile joints. Contains soda.

To clean, simply dilute dry bleach powder with water to form a thick paste, then thoroughly treat the stains. After waiting one to two hours, the surfaces between the tiles are washed off with warm water.

The average cost is 600 rubles. (weight 1.05 kg).

Before applying any chemical to tile joints, it should be tested on a small, inconspicuous area.

Cleaning the space between tiles with a steam cleaner

Steam treatment of joints between tiles will help quickly remove not only dirt, but also pockets of mold and mildew.

You will need a steam cleaner for cleaning. It can be purchased at a hardware store or rented at specialized rental centers. When choosing a cleaning unit, you need to check that the package includes a special small nozzle with a brush.

Cleaning the seams between tiles using a steam generator is simple:

1. Following the manufacturer's instructions, the device is prepared for use. To do this, a special tank is filled with clean water to the maximum level. There is no need to add detergent to the steam cleaner!
2. The device is plugged in and heated to operating temperature (in the instructions, the manufacturer indicates the exact waiting time for the required water heating).
3. Using a small nozzle with a brush, the seams are treated with steam. It is better to start cleaning from the corner, gradually moving from one wall to another.
4. After cleaning, wipe the seams and tiles with a dry cloth or paper towels (the steam cleaner leaves wet marks during the cleaning process).

The process of cleaning tile joints is presented in the video:

Mechanical methods

When folk and special remedies are powerless in the fight against mold stains and dirt, mechanical cleaning methods will help restore the whiteness of the tile joints:

1. Sandpaper. Contaminants are cleaned with a fold of sandpaper, after which the surfaces between the tiles are wiped with a damp cloth or sponge.
2. Metal brush. Contaminated areas are removed with a stiff metal brush, after which the already cleaned surface is wiped with a damp sponge.
3. Construction scraper. It is used as a last resort when other methods have not led to the desired result of purity. Using a scraper, carefully clean the grout from the seams, trying not to touch the layer of tile adhesive, after which a new layer of grout is applied.

The cleaned joint space must be treated with an anti-mold compound. This will prevent black spots from appearing in the future.

Using paint

Painting is the easiest and fastest way to update tile joints. For work, you can use lime, water-based paint or special coloring compounds.

So that the paint lies evenly, Seam painting is carried out according to the following algorithm:

• the surface between the tiles is thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper or a stiff brush;
• paint is applied with a thin brush to dry, prepared surfaces;
• if paint accidentally gets on the tile, it must be wiped off immediately with a soft cloth;
• twenty-four hours after staining, you can evaluate the result of the work;
• if necessary, unfilled areas of tile joints are repainted.

Silicone transparent sealant, which is used to cover already painted seams, will help to maximize the renewal effect of painting.

The video will show you how and with what to paint the seams between the tiles:

Prevention measures

You can keep tile joints clean for as long as possible, provided you follow some recommendations.

It is also necessary to remember that regular care of tiles and seams, timely removal of the smallest contaminants will help keep the surface clean for as long as possible.

Adviсe

Knowing the intricacies of the process of cleaning the joints between tiles will help achieve maximum cleanliness results quickly and effortlessly:

1. Treating the seams with the carbonated drink Coca-Cola or Pepsi will help quickly deal with yellow plaque and dark spots (exposure time is no more than thirty minutes).
2. A melamine sponge will help deal with lime deposits, rust and mold that have settled in the tile joints. It is enough to moisten a piece of sponge with water and vigorously, with pressure, wipe the contaminated surface. Afterwards, the sponge particles along with the dirt are simply washed off with water.
3. An iron with a steam function can replace a steam generator when cleaning tile joints.

The joints between tiles made of natural stone (marble, granite, travertine) can only be cleaned with a neutral pH level. Acidic compounds corrode not only the dirt on the grout, but also the surface of the tile itself.

All the most important and useful information about cleaning the bathroom is collected in this section of the site.

Conclusion

A little patience, time, the right product, and the seams between the tiles in the bathroom will shine clean again.