Best way to clean mold bathroom grout and tiles
Best way to clean mold bathroom grout and tiles
Between holidays, work trips to start a new year, ski vacations and more, wintertime drives crowds of people to airports, commuting down interstates and booking resorts. We know that more people mean more delays and detours. Add into the mix the surprise of unexpected winter storms and you often find yourself experiencing painfully long travel days throughout the season. While no one wants to have an extra few sleepless and restless hours added to their trip, it is usually unavoidable.
Now picture yourself exhausted after 8 hours of airport terminals, gate changes, and an extra connecting flight. You are finally on the last leg of your trip, with barely enough time to grab a pre-packaged sandwich from the self-pay stand before your final boarding call.
Trying to avoid having to navigate the narrow aisles of the airplane to use the restroom, you stop at the one closest to your gate. You walk in, look down at the floor, and then walk right out. The image, still haunting you, of the mold-infested grout and the damp musty smell that accompanied it. You’d rather brave the struggle of climbing over the strangers in the middle and aisle seats next to you than experience a minute more of the filth.
That may be a bit dramatic, but the reality is restrooms are often a breeding ground for mold. They are dark, damp, and ideal for spores. If left untreated, lingering mold spores can even cause health issues.
So how do you make sure your visitors don’t have nightmares of your facility? We’ve got you covered with the steps below.
Removing Mold From Grout
Best way to clean mold bathroom grout and tiles
Step 1: Apply Grout Cleaner
- Wear gloves to protect your hands
- Clean grout with commercial grout and tile cleaner
- For restrooms with white grout use chlorine bleach
- For colored grout lines use oxygen bleach – this will help preserve the color
Tip: Do not use acidic cleaners because they may dissolve or pit the grout. Also, avoid wax cleaners because they might leave a film making more work for you in future cleanings.
Step 2: Scrub and Rise Grout
Rinse and wipe each area after cleaning with a sponge, cleaning rag or microfiber cloth. Make sure as you are cleaning that there is no residue left from the grout cleaner. Then mop the entire floor after you have cleaned the grout and tiles.
What To Do With Stubborn Stains
Older stains may require a little extra love and attention.
- Assemble and load a commercial steam cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Use only water in the steam tank
- Once the machine has heated up, turn on the steam function and apply the brush to the moldy areas of grout
- Use a rag or mop to clean any residual water
Tip: Pay close attention to grout sealant for steam cleaning and remove it along with the mold and mildew.
How To Prevent Build-Up
Routine cleaning is important to eliminating future accumulation of mold, but you can take it a step further in helping to prevent growth by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cloth and wiping down dirty grout. This kills any start of mold and mildew spores and helps keep the grout clean.
DIY Grout Cleaner
If you are looking for a less harsh chemical or want to go the DIY route, try the method below.
- Make a spreadable paste with ¾ cup baking soda, ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tbs of mild dish soap.
- Depending on the consistency you prefer for the paste add more baking soda if the mixture is too thick or peroxide if it is too runny
- Spread the mixture on the grout, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse it off.
TIP: For the best results wait a few minutes before scrubbing grout with an old toothbrush.
Clean, mold-free, fresh-smelling restrooms don’t just elevate the appearance of your facility, they add a level of comfort to your customers and guests.
Best way to clean mold bathroom grout and tiles
Best way to clean mold bathroom grout and tiles
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