5 SIMPLE WAYS TO KEEP GROUT CLEAN & STAIN-FREE!

KEY PRO TIPS

Be on the lookout for places you can put a mat or rug around your home to prevent water and dirt from collecting and spreading.
Always use proper mopping techniques.

Let's get started! Grab your toothbrush AND...Stop there! Do you really have the time or energy to be on your hands and knees scrubbing grout lines in your kitchens or bathrooms? The thing about cleaning grout is it's no easy task, so instead of waiting for it to get dirty again, take preventative measures to make sure you are keeping grout clean in your homes. We're not saying you'll never have to clean your tile's grout, but why not do it less? We've asked Debra Braman, owner of residential cleaning business Maid By Design, for her help and thoughts on the topic. She believes there are 5 simple things you can be doing right now to prevent your grout from getting dirty and moldy.

MAINTAINING YOUR TILE'S GROUT

It is always good to remember why your grout gets dirty in the first place. Most grout is made of sand and is porous, therefore things like dirt, debris, soap scum, and water get ground into the grout. All this can lead to the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew, which is why your grout looks stained. Even if you seal your grout, that can wear down over time. So unless you are checking each and every tile grout line in your home often, how would you know? Let's make things easy on yourself and take preventative measures to maintain your grout.

5 PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO KEEP GROUT CLEAN

The key things to remember are to be aware of high traffic areas and places where water is used.

Place walk-off mats at every entrance to your home. Not just for decorations, walk-off mats will lower the amount of dirt tracked into your home!
Place mats or rugs in kitchen and dining areas. Look around for areas where food and water collect, such as your sink, stove, under your pets food and water bowls. (Tip: Get a Machine Washable Rug that you can wash with your microfiber towels!)
Always follow best mopping practices. There are 2 main things to keep in mind when mopping. One is to not over wet your floors. This is even more important when you use the type of mop that you dunk into water, which gets dirtier each time you dunk it. The second is to mop only small areas at a time until they are clean. This is why Microfiber Flat Mop Systems are a great choice.
Keep Magic Erasers handy for removing the surface dirt before it gets out of hand. This is especially important for areas that are constantly wet, such as your sinks and showers.
Vacuum or sweep more often! Especially in high traffic areas.

ALREADY HAVE MOLD? HERE'S SOME QUICK FIXES YOU CAN TRY

Use grout brush in showers to remove all surface dirt and mold.
Use a Clorox bleach pen in a fine line to help remove the mold.
Use a hydrogen peroxide cleaner that fights mold.

DEBRA'S FINAL THOUGHTS

If you don’t want to go through all this to keep your grout clean, you can install epoxy grout. Unlike sand grout, epoxy grout is not porous, and dirt cannot be ground into it. It is my humble opinion that doing a deep cleaning of your grout by a professional tile and grout specialist is the best way to go (in the case your grout is beyond just a simple cleaning). Depending on the traffic in your home it should be done at least yearly. After the professional cleaning of your grout, have it sealed to prevent particles from getting ground in. You need to maintain the seal at least every 6 months. Then follow the above steps to make sure it is maintained. Happy Cleaning!

TOOLS WE USE

Hyrdogen Peroxide Cleaner: Hydroxipro
Clorox Bleach pen
Neutral pH floor cleaner: OdoBan
Grout brush
Microfiber Mop System
Vacuum: Nacecare Henry cannister vacuum cleaner

Written by

Debra Braman
Owner Of Maid By Design

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Maid By Design is a well-reviewed Tulsa based residential and office cleaning company. Debra is truly a cleaning expert and has been in the cleaning industry for decades. She and her team focus on efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

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