It's the never ending question, "What's the best thing to clean my grout with?" It's never ending because it doesn't really seem like there is one simple answer. The things that people most commonly use are the worst to use!
Lets start with bleach. It seems to work pretty well. The key word here is "seems". Besides all the hazards that are associated with bleach, it's not really a "cleaning" agent, it's a bleaching agent. It will kill a lot of germs and bacteria, but it's not really cleaning anything. It's just bleaching everything!
Then you have to deal with the fact that bleach is difficult to rinse thoroughly, so more than likely your leaving a residue behind which will attract dirt even faster.
As with any job, when you have the proper tools to work with, the job is really not difficult to do. Tile and grout cleaning is no different. Believe it or not, there really is a science and technology behind cleaning anything. With the properly formulated chemicals and the right tools, you can have your grout looking like new in no time at all.
The trick is finding the right chemicals and tools. Well, I'm here to tell you you're not going to find them at the hardware store. The best chemicals and supplies to use are the ones the professionals use.
I was a floor care business owner for 4 years. During that time I took a lot of IICRC Certification Classes and built a pretty good relationship with the chemist that formulated many of the chemicals I used in my Company. I learned an amazing amount about cleaning during that time. Once I better understood the elements and chemistry behind cleaning anything, it was easier for me to get amazing results for my clients.
First let's cover the 4 Basic Elements of Cleaning anything.
1) Chemical
2) Heat
3) Dwell Time
4) Aggitation
Now that we know there are only 4 elements to cleaning, it'll be easier to break down the cleaning process.
To properly clean grout:
1) Sweep to remove all loose, dry particles.
2) Carefully apply properly diluted alkyline cleaner to grout lines. I suggest using a pump sprayer. This cleaner has a dwell time of 5 minutes. This just means it needs at least 5 minutes to soak into the grout before rinsing. I recommend you do about 25 - 50 sq ft at a time. You don't want the cleaner to dry on the floor, so don't get to far ahead of yourself.
3) Using your long handle grout brush, aggitate the chemical into the grout lines. The alkyline is formulated to remove the dirt from the grout lines. The brush is really just to help the chemical get deeper into the grout to loosen the dirt particles for removal. The harder and more agressive you scrub, the better results you will get.
4) Using fresh, clean water, rinse the floor and towel dry. Most of your grout will now be clean. Even though the alkyline is an amazing product by itself, sometimes it doesn't get everything as clean as we would like it to be. That introduces us to the Acid Wash.
5) Typically high traffic path ways, kitchens and bathrooms will need the acid wash. I have only seen one floor that needed the acid wash on the entire floor. That was because the grout was already degrading and was in really poor condition. So, you
will now spot clean with the Acid.
I suggest you do one area at a time, start to finish, with the acid.
Apply the properly diluted Acid Wash to the grout lines that still need more attention. Again, this product has a 5 minute dwell time so spray it heavy enough that it won't dry on the floor. Once the acid has soaked for 5 minutes, using your long handle grout brush, scrub. The harder and more agressive you scrub, the better results you will get.
The way the acid works is to actually etch the grout. Once the surface of the grout is etched, any previously trapped soil will then be removed while scrubbing and rinsing.
6) When the stains have been removed, rinse using fresh water. No matter how well you rinse, you will also need to neutralize the acid wash. You do this by lightly spraying the alkyline where you just cleaned with acid. Gently scrub it into the grout lines to reach any acid that soaked deep. Now rinse one final time with fresh water. By now, your grout will be so clean you may not even recognize it!
7) Seal? Yes! Look, to many people don't seal their grout and it's a shame! The number 1 reason people don't protect their grout is because they don't know enough about grout sealing. I have an entire article about sealing grout and natural stone. check it out!
Ok, I know I just made the process of cleaning disgusting grout sound really easy but it's only because it is really easy!
Again, the 4 Elements of Cleaning?
1) Time
2) Heat
3) Chemical
4) Agitation.
When you have the right products and formulas, you can really make the 4 elements work for you, rather than you working the 4 elements!
