House
April 11, 2024
Minutes To Read: 4

How to clean grout and maintain the most beautiful home environments

In addition to leaving the kitchen, the bathroom, and other good looking environments in the home, grout cleaning is essential to prevent the buildup of fungi and germs, thus being a matter of hygiene as well as health care.

Most people know, however, that it is not always easy to keep the grout clean, "face again". Especially when it is light in color, such as white and gray, it can easily stain and make the room look dirty (even if it is not).

In the kitchen, for example, tiles and grouts suffer from the fat that comes out during food preparation (especially when fried); In the bathroom, they suffer from their own skin fat and cosmetic products.

However, some measures can be taken to prevent stains, mold and grease on the grout. Firstly, Alexander Gonçalves, Chemical Engineer and Engineering Coordinator of Ceramfix Mortars and Grouts, recommends to always apply grouts that have antifungal and anti-mold action in their composition. "In the application it is important to check first if there is any concentration of moisture in the area where it will be applied," he says.

In addition, according to Dario Holetz Junior, Ceramfix's Technical Assistant, it is important to periodically clean areas where you may have a possible concentration of fats, such as bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor areas and swimming pools.

Also read: 10 places we forgot to clean at cleaning time

Juliana Bellini, chief operating officer of Clear Clean, explains that to prevent stains, grease and mildew, you need to keep the room airy and be careful with some products: - especially in the kitchen and bathroom, as with body oil, with soap, shampoo and conditioner residues that can damage and change the grout's color. When some residue falls on the grout, it is recommended to clean at the same time, especially fat ?, highlights.

Home Remedies for Grout Cleaning

With the help of some common ingredients in most Brazilian homes, such as vinegar and baking soda, it is possible to perform a good cleaning of grouts.

Vinegar Recipe

Apply clear alcohol vinegar throughout the grout;
Allow to act for a few minutes (maximum 20) to soften the dirt. Vinegar cannot dry in grout;
Rub the area with a cloth, sponge or brush without the need for much force;
Rinse with clean water and dry floor or wall surface.

Baking Soda Recipe

Make a mixture of baking soda and water;
Dampen a clean cloth or brush with the mixture and rub it in the grout;
Rinse with clean water and dry floor or wall surface.

Remember that these are homemade methods. If you want to risk it, remember to do a test in a small area first, after all, acid products can cause damage.

How to clean ceramic grout

If your floor is ceramic, grout cleaning follows a simpler method. Check out the guidelines passed by Juliana:

Spray the specific product or homemade solution for this type of surface in place;
Let the product act for a few minutes;
Use a specific brush that reaches the grout, as sponges and brooms do not reach the surface. Use a small, hard-bristled brush;
Rinse with clean water and dry floor or wall surface.

How to clean porcelain grout

Juliana explains that the technique is the same for ceramic floors, but as porcelain tiles are porous, care must be taken with the product used, which can stain and even adhere to chemical staining if it is a product with a very strong color. .

? Ceramics have a protective film that porcelain does not have, so this second can absorb grease and stain floors, for example if used in the kitchen. So whenever any residue falls, it should be cleaned on time ?, adds Clear Clean's chief operating officer.

Spray the porcelain-specific product (which does not have a strong color) on the surface;
Let the product act for a few minutes;
Use a specific brush that reaches the grout, as sponges and brooms do not reach the surface. Use a small, hard-bristled brush;
Rinse with clean water and dry floor or wall surface.

Post work cleaning

The chemical engineer Gonçalves guides:

Cleaning of grout should be done immediately after application (the time of each grout is described on the packaging);
This cleaning is easy and should only be done with a slightly moistened foam;
If cleaning is not done immediately after application and the grout dries on the part, cleaning will only be effective with the use of grout cleaners (there are several brands on the market). It is very important to read the instructions of each of these products.
Special care should be taken with non-slip, porous floors, such as protecting the floor surface when grouting to prevent impregnation of grout on the floor surface.

Products NOT to be used for cleaning

For Juliana, when cleaning the grout, "should not be used acid products or that are not suitable for this function, and also strong-colored products can stain the surface."

Holetz Junior points out that cleaning should be done with water and cleaning products. "Acidic products should not be used because they can harm the grout because it is cement based", he points out.

Not to be used yet: laundry soap; waxes and gloss enhancing products; abrasive brushes; sanitary water; acetone; caustic soda.

6 Tips for Keeping Grouts New

Check out the main cares you should have at home:

Tile and grout cleaning should be done regularly to prevent grime. Juliana recommends constant cleaning (if possible daily or at least weekly) and deep cleaning every fortnight.
Every day, in case of splashes, try to clean them as soon as possible to prevent the stains from becoming permanent.
Let the sun in all wet areas of the house to prevent mold from settling.
Keep the bathroom ventilated, especially after bathing, so that mold and mildew do not settle quickly on tiles.
After bathing, keep the box open to prevent steam from molding on grouts.
Always use specific products for cleaning tiles and grouts and always read the instructions for use carefully.

Now you have the main guidelines for cleaning grout and keeping your home's rooms looking much cleaner and more beautiful.