Another cleaning tutorial brought to you by MHP and HGTV
Let's face it - life can get pretty busy with the hectic pace of keeping up with work, the kids, the pets, and so forth. Even the best tile-cleaning routine in your shower can still leave the grout longing for extra attention. Mildew and mold are both pretty commonly seen between shower tiles, and both breed quickly in wet and humid atmospheres - which most bathrooms are. If you have a light color shower grout, you have probably already seen it build up. First, you will notice some spots and eventually, this spreads to take up larger areas. Hopefully you are able to get these nooks and crannies cleaned up before the spread gets out of control! If you have dark grout, these issues can be much more difficult to detect - which might wind up quickly becoming a health concern. We suggest that you make it a point to include grout cleaning as part of your ordinary shower routine, taking that extra time and care to address any mold buildup on the grout before it becomes a much bigger and more tedious chore.
How to Clean Grout
The good news is that cleaning the grout between your shower tiles doesn't have to involve the use of harsh cleansers or chlorine bleach-based products, as most would assume! Chemicals such as these can be challenging and uncomfortable to use in enclosed bathroom environments where ventilation and air circulation are often limited. Oxygen-based bleach (hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate) and washing soda are much safer alternatives to consider when opting for a powerful indoor cleaning solution. They are also more eco-friendly while still very effective in treating and preventing the growth of mold.
The recipe is also really simple, and unlike those harsh chemicals - you can rest assured that you are safe to mix these items without fear of potential health dangers. To begin, create a paste using one (1) part hydrogen peroxide and two (2) parts of an oxygenated powder product, such as OxiClean or any generic washing soda. Since this combination of ingredients combine to create a thick paste, the mixture easily adheres to the grout lines in your shower without dribbling down and therefore can is powerful and effective at spot-treating areas that have been affected by mildew and mold. Possibly the best part of using this mixture, as opposed to harsh chemicals, is that you can apply it for preventative measures often because it is so easy to make and use. This special paste has the power to defend against spores so even if the grout in your bathroom doesn’t look dirty right now, it can't hurt to apply this combination as an effective cleanser which helps to prevent the mold from blossoming in the first place. If you read the labels for many of the heavy-duty mold abatement products that are available in stores, you’ll spot that hydrogen peroxide is a common ingredient, so it’s no surprise that this at-home solution works extremely well.
With this grout-cleansing paste mixed in a bowl or other container, use an old toothbrush to apply it to the grout lines between the tiles of your shower.
Focus on the areas where you can visibly see the mold but also aim to coat areas of the shower that might be more mold-prone and mold-affected than others. This may include any grout along built-in shelves, corners and floor tiles, or the grout and tile that surrounds the shower drain, spouts and other hardware. Allow the paste to set for a few minutes while it gets to work eating away the mildew and mold and then give the grout lines a vigorous scrub for good measure. Now, rinse the area thoroughly and use a cloth to wipe the surfaces clean.
How to Clean Shower Tiles
While you are already in the shower getting some grout cleaning done, it would be a great time to clean build-up off of the surface of the shower tiles, as well.
A simple white vinegar wash is a good solution for non-porous tile surfaces, while marble or other porous stone surfaces are more safely cleaned using plain water or cleaning products that have been specifically formulated for stone to avoid damaging the color or finish.
We hope that these tips are helpful to you in your quest to keep your tile grout clean! If it seems like these methods aren't working, please contact MHP at (888) 9-Ren0v8 for a free in-home estimate so we can assess your needs! That number, again, is (888) 973-6088.