Tile and Grout Cleaning for Dummies

Ceramic tile is a popular choice in kitchens and bathrooms, and with proper care it can last for years. Cleaning tile and grout can be time-consuming and frustrating, so unless you are wiling and able to find a local tile cleaning company you will have to do it yourself. While there are many heavy-duty chemical-based cleaners available for homeowners to use, try these non-toxic solutions first. Learn how to clean tile and grout at home and you will save money and avoid harsh fumes and dangerous toxins from circulating through your home.

• an old toothbrush.
• a bucket
• measuring cup and measuring spoons
• sponge
• clean dry rags
• rubber gloves

Here are three easy, cheap and make-at-home tile and grout cleaners.

1 capful of rubbing alcohol in 3.5 liters of water. Apply to tile and grout with a damp sponge. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.

1 box of baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda onto a soaking wet sponge and scrub down the tile and grout. Rinse with warm water.

Mix 1 tablespoon of borax plus 2 tablespoons of ammonia in 3.5 liters of hot water. Clean tile and grout using either a sponge, a short bristled soft brush or an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse off with hot clean water. Repeat as necessary.

If the grout between the tiles is really dirty, try the following:

Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 3.5 liters of hot water. Use a nylon scrub pad or old toothbrush to apply the solution to the grout. Scrub vigerously. Note: try this first on a small area, as some grout may break down with repeated exposure to vinegar.

For heavily soiled grout, you may have to use chlorine bleach. Be sure to open the bathroom windows and doors as this has a strong smell. Wearing rubber gloves, mix 1 cup of chlorine bleach in 1.75 liters of water. Use a nylon scrub pad to scrub down the grout and tile with this mixture. Let this sit for at least 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with hot water.

Some tiles develop a soapy residue that makes the tile in your bathroom appear dull and dirty. Make a paste using 4 tablespoons of powdered dishwasher detergent and water, and apply it to the tile face. Rub the paste into the tile with a soft cloth, sponge, or toothbrush. Rinse with warm water and repeat as necessary.

The moisture and daily traffic through a bathroom make it a prime location for mold to take hold. An easy, inexpensive and eco-friendly solution to mold and mildew on grout is to mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with two parts water. Store this in a well-labelled spray bottle. Spray on the moldy tile and grout, wait one hour, then scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse with hot water and repeat if necessary.

Prevention is the best way to deal with mold and mildew on the ceramic tile in your bathroom. Keep the window open a crack, or the bathroom fan on for proper ventilation. Keep a spray bottle with either full strength white vinegar or lemon juice in the shower. A quick spray and wipe down with a soft cloth or sponge after each shower goes a long way towards stopping mold from taking hold, and leaves a fresh scent in the washroom. If you have glass shower doors spray them as well; if you have a shower curtain pull it completely closed so it can dry without getting moldy.

If you prefer to use sponges to cloths or rags for cleaning, avoid plastic or polyester sponges which can take years to break down in landfill sites. Instead, choose eco-friendly and highly absorbent cellulose sponges. These are becoming increasingly available online and at natural health food stores. Micro-fibre cleaning cloths are also a good green choice for healthy home cleaning.