Tile grouts: how to clean them effectively

Lots of eco-friendly ways to clean grouts!

There are really countless ways of cleaning the grouts between ceramic tiles and if you are not keen on chemical products, you need to be aware that there are plenty of natural methods.

One excellent aid is a substance you are bound to have in your home: sodium bicarbonate.

Dissolve it in plenty of hot water and pour it onto the grouts. After leaving the bicarbonate and water solution to act for about ten minutes, start rubbing with a sponge.

If the dirt is particularly stubborn, a toothbrush or scrubbing brush should be used on the grouts. When done, wash the surface with plenty of water and an ordinary cleaning product, to remove any dirt and bicarbonate residues.

For white/light coloured grouts, you can also use sodium percarbonate, an eco-friendly, non-pollutant bleach that will leave the grouts in your tiles whiter than white.

That's not all: if you really have not got any sodium bicarbonate in your home, you can try, for example, with hydrogen peroxide; sprayed into the grouts and then removed with a toothbrush, it will effectively remove dirt and dust. For all these methods, we advise you to wear protection for your eyes and hands.

Cider vinegar is another excellent ally in the fight against dirt: diluted with a little water and left to act for five minutes, it should be removed with a cloth dipped in hot water.

Last but not least, there is a specific appliance for this type of cleaning operation: the steam cleaner. Pass the appliance carefully along the grouts, then complete the process by washing the surface with water and an ordinary detergent.