Grout cleaners are a game-changer for homeowners.
Not to be confused with grout removing chemicals, grout cleaners are equipment designed to clean grouting compounds from recently installed tiles. The gadgets can remove mortar, cement, and fresh stains, leaving your tiles sparkling clean.
Since grout cleaners are meant to be used on recently laid tiles, extreme caution is paramount while handling the equipment. Ignoring the recommended usage guidelines could damage the device and ruin your cleaning project.
Read below for a comprehensive guide on safely using a grout cleaner at home.
Cleaning Essentials
The success of any grout cleaning project depends on the supplies used. Obviously, you’ll need to start with a grout cleaner.
Grout cleaners vary considerably in size, wattage, and overall performance. While small, hand-held cleaners would suffice for occasional grout cleaning, you’ll require larger, upright equipment for regular or heavy-duty projects.
It’s also prudent to consider the device’s cleaning mechanism.
Electric grout cleaners use the combination of electricity and rotating brushes to remove grout from grout lines. They differ from steam cleaners, which utilize hot steam and chemical-free cleaning solutions.
Since grout cleaners are motorized equipment, it’s equally important to pick between corded and cordless varieties.
Corded grout cleaners are remarkably versatile, as they can use electricity from the mains outlet as well as batteries. Meanwhile, cordless cleaners are easier to handle and pose minimal tripping hazards.
Most importantly, insist on equipment from reputable brands. Before purchasing a grout cleaner, sample online reviews for user feedback on the device’s efficiency.
Below are other grout cleaning essentials;
- Cleaning Solution
Many grout cleaners come with recommended solutions capable of dissolving dirt, oil, and grease.
If you can’t find a specialized formula, a solution of water and mild detergent would do.
- Scrubbing Brushes
It may be intuitive to go for hard-bristled brushes, ostensibly to clean stubborn stains off your tile grout lines. However, grout cleaning machines should strictly be used to dislodge grouting materials from freshly laid tiles.
Using stiff-bristled brushes can damage the fresh mortar. Therefore, prioritize brushes with soft-to-medium bristles.
- Piece of Fabric
You’ll require a piece of fabric to wipe off excess moisture after each grout cleaning session.
To avoid staining the cleaned tiles, insist on a microfiber mop or other soft cloth.
- Protective Gloves
Although you won’t be using your grout cleaner with harsh chemicals, it’s still recommended to wear protective gloves.
Note that even specialized grout cleaning reagents are formulated with chemicals that may adversely react with your hands.
- Warm Water
Warm water is preferable for its ability to dissolve grease and oil stains.
Aim for lukewarm rather than hot water, as the latter could harm your freshly tiled floor.
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Cleaning Directions
- Prepare the Area
Unless you plan to clean grout in an unoccupied room, the first step is to remove obstacles from the area.
Start by setting furniture and appliances aside.
Then, sweep, mop, or vacuum the floor. This is necessary to remove surface-level dirt and debris.
By eliminating loose dirt, it’s easier to focus your grout cleaner on the remaining substances. It also prevents the machine from merely spreading the dirt around instead of cleaning it.
- Dissolve the Stains
Pre-treatment is necessary to loosen deeply embedded stains. This is particularly necessary if the tiles have been gone for a couple of days before getting their grout removed.
Each grout cleaner comes with the recommended cleaning solutions. As mentioned, steer clear of harsh cleaning substances.
Compounds containing strong chemicals like bleach, sodium hydroxide, and ammonia may damage your tiles, leading to costly reinstallation. These substances can also be hazardous if ingested or inhaled.
If you can’t find specialized grout cleaning solutions, settle for warm, soapy water. Or, for a thorough clean, you may consider a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.
Put your protective gloves on, gently apply the solution over the area, and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Use a soft-to-medium bristled brush to manually clean the stains.
Ensure you apply measured pressure to remove the dirt without brushing off the mortar. When done, rinse the floor before proceeding to the next step.
- Fill Your Grout Cleaner
Each grout cleaner comes with a reservoir tank for holding the cleaning solution.
Prepare the cleaning solution to the right concentration and carefully administer it into the machine’s reservoir tank.
Note that some grout cleaning compounds come premixed while others may need to be diluted before use.
Obviously, this won’t be an issue if you’re using a homemade solution like warm, soapy water.
- Start Cleaning
Apply a liberal amount of the grout cleaning solution on your tiled floor and start scrubbing, this time with your grout cleaner.
To use a grout cleaning machine, turn the device on and gently guide it over the areas to clean.
Using your grout cleaner’s high-pressure water jets will administer the cleaning solution to the floor as required, as the device’s scrubbing action loosens dirt from the tile grout lines. The machine is also equipped with a suction feature that eliminates excess water and debris from the cleaned areas.
Another best practice here is to vary the temperature and pressure accordingly. Increasing the temperature of your grout cleaning solution can help dislodge embedded stains, while reducing the pressure of the water jets minimizes water wastage.
Experts also recommend working in small sections for more precise cleaning.
Scrub each section vertically and horizontally, focusing on the lines of each grout. Remember to clean the trims and intersections too.
- Remove Residues and Rinse
When you finish each section, use a clean microfiber mop to remove excess cleaning solution. This should happen frequently enough to prevent residue buildup.
Unless you plan to rescrub an area, rinse it thoroughly with clean water after removing residues.
Use a bucket of water to mop smaller sections. You might want to hose it down if you’re done grout-cleaning the entire room. Inspect the floor for any missed spots before finally rinsing it. If all looks great, dry the floor using a microfiber mop and seal the grout.
Summary
Whether you’re planning to overhaul your home’s tiling system or repair a few broken tiles, you’ll require a grout cleaner to eliminate grouting materials after the tile installation work. Using this equipment correctly is the secret to acing any grout removal project.
As a parting shot, remember that grout cleaners have their limitations. While this equipment is remarkably effective at cleaning grout lines, it won’t help with grout that has been neglected for years.
Therefore, stick to the recommended application. For optimal results, remember to follow the user manual that comes with the product.
