subject: Kitchen and Bathroom Grout Cleaning [print this page] "How do you go about cleaning bathroom grout?" and "How do you go about cleaning kitchen grout?" These are questions that I have certainly asked. Grout starts out as either white or as the color that best matches the tile. Over time, however, I think that everyone's grout converges to the same color: Grey. Ugh! So what can you do?
Well, to answer this, I looked to an expert: Tim Carter, who writes the "Ask the Builder" syndicated column, has on his site a video where he demonstrates what he reports is the best method that he has found to clean grout. The cleaner that he uses is oxy-bleach.
Chemically, the oxy-bleach is called sodium percarbonate, and it is what is found in the cleaning products OxiClean and StainSolver. It is sometimes referred to as dried hydrogren peroxide, and it is an oxidizing agent that is eco-friendly. When it is dissolved in water it releases Hydrogren peroxide and soda ash (sodum carbonate). Hydrogen Peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen. It is the release of the oxygen molecules that cleans the grout.
To use, dissolve cup of oxygen bleach crystals in one gallon of warm water.
To clean floor grout in the kitchen or bathroom, pour the solution onto the floor and let it rest for about 30 minutes. Then use a brush to scrub the grout. After scrubbing, wipe away the liquid and then rinse the floor with clean water. You must rinse the surface or else you will see a white powder residue once the solution dries. Repeat as needed. Note that the solution breaks down over time, and so cannot be stored. You must make up fresh solution each day.
To clean grout on walls in the kitchen or bathroom, mix up the solution and put it into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the walls. Continue to spray the walls periodically over the course of 30 minutes. You need to keep the walls wet. After about 30 minutes, scrub the walls with a brush and then rinse with clean water. If you have hard water, you may first have to soak the walls with a vinegar solution. You may also want to try to make a paste by using less water. Please note, however, that the paste has to remain wet for the cleaning action to occur.
Indeed this cleaning method will take some elbow grease, but it is effective. Additionally, the product is environmentally safe. The cleaning mechanism of oxy-bleach is based on oxygen atoms the same stuff we need to breathe! Compare this with using chlorine bleach, which works by releasing chlorine gas which is toxic to humans and animals.
In addition to cleaning grout, you can use oxy-bleach to clean many other things: laundry; wood decks; roof cleaning; carpets; deodorizing of garbage disposals and drains; and for general purpose cleaning of boats, fiberglass, dentures, picnic coolers, aquariums, mold, mildew, grease, wine stains, food stains, patio furniture, and mud stains. Remember to keep it wet, and that the longer it soaks, the less that you have to scrub.
