Do you have tough grout stains you’d love to get rid of? Fumes from many of the popular chemical-based cleaners can actually pollute the air inside your home. While that’s unhealthy for you and your family, lots of people think that they are the only options that truly work on grout and grime. So, I’ve done the dirty work for you and tested three different grout-cleaning methods to see what works best.
I focused on three areas of my kitchen’s tile floor. The lines of grout were dirty from years of traffic and neglect. First, I created a paste made of safe, nontoxic oxygenated bleach along with water. I put it along one line of grout. Then, I created a paste of baking soda and bleach. I don’t normally recommend bleach for jobs like these because there are safer and less toxic options, but I wanted to see a side-by-side comparison. Finally, I used a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. I scrubbed them all with an industrial brush and let them sit for an hour.
When I returned, I could clearly see which two methods worked best. The oxygenated bleach and the chlorine bleach lines were sparkling white — without much effort. The grout line treated with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide was cleaner but not sparkling white. My recommendation is to go with the oxygenated bleach method because it’s safer and the difference was remarkable.
Another thing I recommend for every home is to create a green cleaning kit. That kit can included the oxygenated bleach I mentioned, hydrogen peroxide, as well as other effective and more natural options such as white vinegar which disinfects, baking soda, and borax to treat mold and mildew. Not only are these options much healthier for your home, they are big money savers. You can find all of my favorite green cleaning recipes at DoYourPart.com/Columns.
Of course, there are also store bought green cleaners that won’t pollute your home and they are becoming easier to find. Just look for ones that are plant based and fragrance-free.
Terri Bennett is a veteran TV meteorologist, eco-expert and author of “Do Your Part,” a guide for everyday green living available at doyourpart.com. to terri@doyourpart.com
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