How To Clean Grout: Tips For Natural Stone Flooring
If you have natural stone flooring, it's important to know how to clean grout so that you don't damage your floors. Many people make the mistake of using harsh chemicals and not the right tools, which can make your grout dirtier or damage the stone tiles next to it. In this article, we will teach you how to clean grout the right way, so you can clean with confidence knowing that your efforts will pay off.
Why Your Grout Gets Dirty
Grout is a very porous material that can easily absorb mud and spills. If you don't take the right steps to maintain it, dirt and grime will build up and become difficult to remove.
Unlike glass or ceramic tiles, grout is porous. The pores in the grout act like a "sponge" that can absorb water, oils, and other liquids. When these liquids get in, they will seep deep into the grout and are hard to get out.
In other words, don't let dirty liquids get in!
Avoid This Common Grout Cleaning Mistake
How you clean your floor on a typical basis will have a big impact on the cleanliness of your grout.
A common cause of dirty grout is dirty mop water. If you use a wet mop to clean your floors, the dirt and grime will be transferred to your grout.
You should first remove the loose dirt with a vacuum or a dry mop. Otherwise, the dirt will turn into mud, which grout just loves to absorb.
Once you've removed the loose dirt, you can move on to mopping with a damp mop. Make sure to use clean water - if the water is dirty, it will just make your grout darker.
How To Clean Grout
There are many popular DIY ways to clean grout at home, but not all of them are effective. In fact, some of them can actually damage your grout or the natural stone tiles next to it.
To clean grout the right way, we highly recommend using the right tools and products.
First, you need a grout brush. This will help loosen the dirt and grime that is stuck in the pores of the grout. There are many grout brushes you can buy online that work well, so getting one should be a piece of cake. (And yes, you can get one in our store!)
Second, you need a good cleaner. Most DIY solutions are too acidic and damage grout and stone, so we recommend using a store-bought grout cleaner without phosphates or ammonia.
The Easiest Way To Clean Grout At Home
Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles can take a little more abuse, but if you have stone tiles, treat them with love. Use a professional grade cleaner like Granite Gold® Grout Cleaner that’s safe on your stone floors (and walls).
Here are the steps to use our grout cleaner:
1. Rotate the nozzle to the stream setting and spray along the grout lines.
2. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Scrub the grout lines with a nylon brush.
4. Rinse with warm water.
5. Optional: Seal the grout. (More on that later.)
When To Hire A Professional To Clean Your Grout
If your grout doesn’t get clean no matter what you do, it may be time to hire a professional. Some stains are just too deep-set or difficult to remove without the proper tools.
A professional will be able to lift the dirt out of the grout with a special vacuum, cleaning it from the inside out.
That's why we love to say that prevention is the best cure. By cleaning and maintaining your grout properly from the start, you can avoid costly repairs or replacements down the road.
THE most important grout prevention tip we can give you is this: always use a sealer!
How To Keep Grout Clean: Seal It
Once you finally get your grout clean, it's time to make sure it never gets dirty again.
Unsealed grout is a recipe for disaster. We highly recommend using a sealer once you're able to clean your grout.
A good quality grout sealer will create an invisible barrier on the surface of the grout that will repel mud, water, and oil. Sealed grout can get dirty, but the sealer will make sure that any dirt stays on top. By sealing, you're essentially turning the porous surfaces into non-porous surfaces.
Your floor is going to be much easier to clean afterward when it does get dirty, and you will never have to worry about calling a professional to clean or replace your grout.
How To Seal Your Grout With Granite Gold Sealer:
1. Make sure the surface is completely dry and clean.
2. Spray the sealer onto the grout lines. (Do not let the sealer sit on the surface for more than 15 minutes before wiping it off.)
3. Immediately proceed to wipe the sealer into the grout with a dry cloth.
4. Wipe and buff the sealant dry. (This basically means going over it with a clean, dry cloth until the haze disappears.)
5. Allow the area to dry for at least two hours before walking on it or using it.
Sealing is important to protect any porous materials, not just grout. Stone surfaces are slightly porous too! You should seal your stone flooring when you seal your grout.
Watch this video to learn how easy it is to seal natural stone and grout with the Granite Gold® Sealer. You can use it on your countertops too!
Give Your Grout A New Lease On Life
Cleaning grout can be a difficult and time-consuming task, but it doesn't have to be.
By learning the tips in this article, you can easily clean your grout and keep it clean for good. The most important thing is to use the right tools and products and to seal your grout once it's clean. With proper care and the occasional cleaning, your grout will look spotless for years with little effort.
Have any questions about how to clean grout? Ask The Stone Care Experts.