Cleaning the grout lines between tiles can be quite challenging, as regular mopping often doesn’t effectively remove built-up dirt and grime. However, cleaning experts have a handy trick to bring grout back to its original state.
According to home specialists at The Spruce, Jade Piper, a professional cleaner and operations manager at BetterCleans, shared the most effective technique for dealing with dirty grout. Surprisingly, the solution doesn’t involve vinegar or baking soda.
The key tool? A steam cleaner.
Jade explained, “My preferred cleaner for grout and tiles doesn’t involve any chemical products. Bid farewell to those because all you need is a steam cleaner.
“It significantly reduces the effort required, and you won’t need to bend over with a toothbrush. I cover a much larger area in a shorter time, and the outcomes are consistently better,” as reported by the Express.
“After cleaning, use a clean microfiber mop on the floor, then promptly dry it with another dry mop or towel. This prevents streaks and prevents dirt from settling back in.”
The cleaning professional suggests the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner, which can be found on Amazon. This device includes a 17-piece accessory kit with items like an extension tube, brass brush, garment steamer bonnet, nylon brush, and cleaning pad.
Currently priced at £159.99, this steam cleaner boasts a remarkable 4.2-star rating from over 3,000 customers, indicating its effectiveness.
One customer mentioned, “With a single tank fill, I managed to deep clean an entire bathroom, tackle a heavily soiled oven, and refresh all my kitchen cabinets without needing to refill. The steam output is powerful and consistent, effortlessly removing tough grime and grease.”
Another review stated, “I appreciate the various attachments and the quick and potent steam. However, continuous steaming for 30 seconds on a surface to kill germs can be time-consuming.”
They added, “Nevertheless, if sanitization isn’t a concern, it still does a great job on various flooring types (mine was wood) and materials (like couches, chairs, etc). Assembly and disassembly of parts are straightforward. Yet, the low efficiency led me to return it as I didn’t want to wait 30 seconds each time.”
For those on a budget, Tower’s 16-in-1 Steam Mop is available at Argos for only £30.
An alternative ‘gentle’ approach to tackling grout involves using lemon juice and baking soda. DIY Natural suggests that these two ingredients are excellent natural cleaners for various household tasks.
Start by mixing baking soda with lemon juice to create a thick paste. Spread this solution on the grout lines and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing with a tile brush. A grout brush with stiff bristles works best, but an old toothbrush can serve as a suitable substitute. Finally, clean up any remaining paste from the floor.