Grout is used as a glue to keep tiles usually made of ceramic firmly cemented in place. It also stops liquids like water from entering spaces around the tiles. The grout found around tiles is usually made of a compound made up from water cement and sand. It dries up really fast and becomes eventually turns rock hard. Its color is usually white but can be modified to be any other color you like. The issue with grout is that mildew and black mold will easily grow on this. These are not just ugly to look at but also pose a health hazard to people exposed to it. There are a few methods with which you can clean grout to make it clean and hygienic. Here are the steps.
- Toothbrush Method: Use a toothbrush with some strong detergent or floor cleaners to clean off all the grout. This will be a lot of hard work. To make things easier for yourself you can use a fast electric tooth brush.
- Grout stain: Use commercially avaialbe grout stainers to paint over grout mold. Although this will not remove the mold it will cover up the unsightly looks.
- Natural solutions: There are a few herbal and environmental friendly ways of getting rid of grout mold. A solution of anti-fungal, two teaspoons of tea oil and two cups of water mixed together is a good mold killer.
- Chemical cleaners: Chemical cleaners such as zep mildew stain remover and limeway are available at most local stores. Although not very healthy for the environment these can do their job pretty well. Using these chemicals combined with each other is not such a bright idea as a chemical reaction can result in noxious and harmful gasses forming.
- Homemade solution: This method is the easiest and the cheapest. Get a spray bottle and some hydrogen peroxide from your local store. Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in a 1:2 ratio and fill up the spray bottle. Spray this solution on areas which have developed mold. You could alternatively use a bleach solution but this can cause the grout to turn yellow and look ugly. Do not wipe after spraying and spray regularly for a few weeks. Another option is using vinegar which seems to do the job equally well.
Removing grout:
If your mold is consistent and hard to get rid off, a better idea would be to completely remove the grout and replace it. Its good to do this before liquids are able to seep into the floor and rot the underside of your tiles. Buy a grout removal kit from your local hardware store (or online) and use this to remove all the grout. Once all the old stuff is out, you can start relaying the grout. You can mix grout with a little bit of latex to make it a bit more waterproof, keeping it safe from mold for longer.
Let the newly laid grout set for around three to five minutes. Now use a rubber float and force the fresh grout deep into the sides. Finally wipe with a damp but clean sponge. Once all of this is done get a grout sealing solution and use it to seal off the grout.
If after doing all of the above mildew wont leave you alone it might be more than just a surface infection. The mold might be already present under the tiles and grout or maybe even in the walls. You will have to cut through some tiles or your wall to get rid of this. Since this is a professionals job, now might be a good time to hire one.
Related Tags: bathroom grout cleaner philippines, environmental friendly solution to get rid of grout stain, how to clean tiles and grout philippines, I admire what you have done here I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well, mould killer grout, what will cause white grout to go yellow in 4 weeks
Related Content:
I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you as well.