Tile is a beautiful way to accent the walls and floors in your kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of your home, but the surface can quickly build up with dirt and grime. While the culprit may vary from room to room (mildew in the bathroom, cooking splatters in the kitchen, or mud stains on the foyer floor), dirty tile can give the entire room a dingy appearance. Luckily, you can clean tile and grout with every day household products, like dish soap and water.
How Often to Clean Tile and Grout
How often you clean your tile and grout depends on how much foot traffic the area it's in gets. In busy areas, like the kitchen and primary bathroom, weekly cleaning may be necessary. In rooms with tile that aren't as frequently used, you may be able to go a few weeks without cleaning your tile or grout. "The key is to keep an eye on it and adjust based on how dirty things get," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids.
Materials Needed for Cleaning Tile
Make sure you have these materials on hand when cleaning tile and removing stains.
How to Clean Tile
When cleaning your tile, avoid using harsh chemicals, such as vinegar (even if it's diluted). This cleaning solution is very acidic, says Robb Roderick, a technical trainer at the National Tile Contractors Association. "If the solution is too strong, you'll weaken and damage the grout, and vinegar can etch stone tiles," he says. For most types of tile, including porcelain and ceramic, you only need two ingredients—warm water and dish soap.
How to Remove Stains From Tile
If stains linger on your tile after using dish soap, try making a paste of baking soda and water, says Cohoon.
Materials Needed for Cleaning Grout
Make sure you have these materials on hand when cleaning and removing stains from grout.
How to Clean Grout
How dirty your grout gets may come down to what it's made of—traditional grout is a mixture of sand and cement, though more modern options include latex and other polymers to help boost their stain-resistance. No matter its composition, baking soda is an effective way to clean grout.
How to Remove Stains From Grout
Removing stains from grout requires a bit more effort, but it's manageable, says Cohoon.
How to Maintain Tile and Grout
While regularly cleaning tile and grout will help keep it in great condition, there are other steps you can take to preserve its luster.
Minimize Moisture Build Up
In the bathroom, wiping down tiles with a squeegee or a clean microfiber cloth after using the shower will help keep it free of hard water stains and soap scum. Additionally, running the exhaust fan during and for 10 to 20 post-shower will pull humidity and moisture from the room, which helps prohibit mold growth on the grout.
Avoid Harsh Cleaners
Stay away from heavy-duty chemical cleaners, as they can be rough on grout. This includes cleaning products like vinegar and lemon juice, which are too acidic for tile and grout. "Instead, go for gentler, pH-neutral options," says Cohoon.
Seal Your Grout
Sealers fill grout's pores, preventing grime, grit, and mold from infiltrating the porous material. How often you need to seal grout depends on how high-traffic a tiled area is, but aim for at least once or twice a year. Just be sure to wait at least 24 hours between deep scrubbing and applying the sealer to make sure the grout is completely dry.
When to Call a Professional
If you notice widespread discoloration of tile and grout, you'll need to contact a professional to assess the damage and give the area a thorough cleaning, says Anne Ruozzi, founder of Therapy Clean. "If tile and grout have been neglected to the point where discoloration exists, chances are they start loosening up to the point where water seeps through to the back wall," she says. This can create mold in areas that can't be seen.
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