How to clean the joints between floor tiles. How can the joints between the tiles in the bathroom be cleaned? Methods for cleaning surface contamination

If you don't wash the walls and floors after every bath or shower, sooner or later the joints between the tiles will get dirty. Moisture, dust, lime deposits are retained there, and sometimes fungus settles. Want to learn how to effortlessly clean bathroom tile joints and keep them clean for a long time? I'll share my secrets.

Home methods

I'll start with tips for thrifty housewives who don't want to spend money on expensive "chemistry". Although the rejection of it can be associated with other reasons. For example, with allergies or a desire to use only environmentally safe ways cleaning.


Methods for cleaning the seams in the bathroom depend on the degree of their contamination and the presence of fungus. Here are the most popular homemade recipes.

Recipe 1 - whiteness and soda paste

It is an excellent mold-fighting agent that not only cleans and disinfects, but also whitens the seams. But it is not suitable for colored seams.

Remember to take safety precautions: wear rubber gloves on your hands and a gauze bandage on your face.

Instead of whiteness, you can take any liquid chlorine bleach and mix it with just enough baking soda to make a thick, viscous mass. Apply it with a spatula and leave to act until dry.


Then rinse off with water using a brush, washcloth or the hard side of a dish sponge. The main thing is that the tool does not scratch the tile surface.

Recipe 2 - a solution of vinegar, soda and citric acid


A mixture of water, vinegar, citric acid and soda. This is perhaps the most popular recipe among many housewives. Undiluted 6% vinegar will help deal with light dirt. It must be poured into a spray bottle, treated with a tile, and washed off after 10 minutes.

Recipe 3 - ammonia solution

If you don't know how to remove limescale from the bathroom tiles and restore their shine, use this recipe:

  • Add a tablespoon to two liters of water ammonia, stir;
  • Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it from a short distance onto the contaminated surface;
  • Wait 10-15 minutes;
  • Wipe with a damp sponge and then wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Recipe 4 - hot steam

The ideal way of cleaning without using any cleaning agents at all is to use a steam cleaner. It not only generates hot steam, but also delivers it under high pressure.


The powerful jet softens and literally knocks out any dirt from the tile joints. And exposure to high temperatures, reaching 150-170 degrees, kills mold and mildew.

But the best part is that during cleaning you do not have to come into contact with aggressive substances and breathe their vapors. The only safety measure is not to expose your arm or leg to the hot stream.

As you can see, all the described methods really do not require much effort from you: you will not have to rub and scratch the seams for a long time with your own hands. But their effectiveness is often insufficient.

Professional remedies

If you do not have a bias towards using household chemicals, it is not at all necessary to practice home alchemy and prepare a cleaning agent from improvised ingredients. There are many effective formulations on the market. They not only clean complex contaminants, but also disinfect surfaces and protect them from future plaque and mold.

Here are the most popular ones:

Image List effective means

"Atlas Dolphin" is a ready-to-use emulsion for joint protection. It does not clean, but penetrates the grout pores and forms a film impermeable to dirt and bacteria on the surface.

It is used either immediately after the installation of the tiles and the grout has hardened, or after cleaning the joints. With this kind of protection, taking care of your bathroom is quick and easy.

The main thing - do not dilute the emulsion or mix it with other agents.

"BOZO"- a viscous concentrated liquid that removes lime deposits and rust, disinfects seams, removes unpleasant odors.

Before cleaning the tile in the bathroom, it must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 4. Fungus and dirt stuck in the seams are best treated with undiluted concentrate.

Mellerud- a special product for the maintenance of tiles in bathrooms. Easily removes soap residues, dried water stains, other visible and invisible dirt, simultaneously refreshing the color of tiles and seams.

If you need to deal with old mud, it can be used in pure form... The product is applied with a sponge and after a few minutes it is washed off with water.


« HG "- unlike the previous product, it is designed specifically for cleaning seams.

Does not contain bleaches, therefore it can be used for colored seams without the risk of discoloration.

Whitening pencil "Snowball"- destroys fungi and bacteria, restores the whiteness of the seams.

To do this, it is enough just to draw lines for them along all the joints. But it is effective only if the mold did not have time to penetrate deeply into the cement mortar.

Melamine sponge... It is also a kind of cleaning agent, not a cleaning tool. It works like an eraser, erasing dirt and at the same time quickly erasing itself.

But the price of such a sponge is very low, so you don't need to save. All that is needed is to moisten it with water and rub the seams.

All of these remedies work much more effectively than home remedies. What can be considered a plus. The disadvantages will include the unsafeness of most drugs: you can work with them only with gloves and a mask, ensuring a good flow of air into the room.

Although whiteness can not be attributed to the category of harmless liquids. Therefore, it is up to you to decide how to clean the tiles in the bathroom.

Dealing with deeply penetrated mold

All the methods and means described can only deal with household dirt and newly formed mold. If the fungus has penetrated deep into the structure of the grout, their use will not work. This requires drastic measures.


It is best to completely remove the tiles, clean and sanitize the substrate, and re-install. But this is not always possible, on overhaul money or time may not be available.

However, you cannot leave the fungus - mold spores are very dangerous to health... In this case, you will have to completely clean the seams between the tiles, removing all the grout.

It's boring, dirty, heavy, but necessary work... It can be done using a special hand or electric tool:


Before starting work, the seams must be moistened with water acidified with vinegar to soften the grout.

After its complete removal, all joints must be thoroughly washed, treated with antifungal drugs and dried. Then wipe again.

Conclusion

Summarizing all that has been said, we can draw the following conclusion: tile joints are easier to keep clean than trying to clean them of old dirt and fungal colonies. Now you know not only several ways to clean them, but also how not to restart them. To do this, it is enough to treat clean and dry joints with a protective agent that will not allow dirt and fungal spores to penetrate into the grout.

I would be glad if, after reading this material and watching the video in this article, you leave your comment, telling about your methods of tile maintenance.

It does not require special care, but the seams connecting it are rather difficult to wash. Therefore, the topic of cleaning tile joints is more relevant than ever. Many people are worried about how to clean the seams between the tiles. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the most effective means.

The ways

The most popular ways:

  • With household cleaning products.
  • With the use of chlorine-containing mixtures.
  • Folk natural remedies.
  • Using steam.
  • Masking and seam replacement.

We will consider each of them in detail, weigh the pros and cons and try to draw our own conclusions.

Folk remedies

To bleach the seam between the tiles, you need to take half a glass of baking soda, one third of lemon juice and one quarter of a glass of vinegar (9%). All this needs to be diluted with seven glasses of warm water. Wear rubber gloves and provide access fresh air... a toothbrush or sponge with which you need to rub the mixture into dirty areas. After that, leave the solution on the seams for 10-15 minutes, then rinse clean water... This method involves combining acid with soda, which leads to abundant foaming, so take a larger container and combine the components slowly. This is a great way to fully update your look.

Another folk recipe: soda, lemon juice, mustard and toothpaste. You can also add some ammonia. The proportions are about the same as in the first case.

It is worth remembering another super bleaching recipe of our grandmothers: seven glasses of water must be combined with 0.5 tbsp. soda, vinegar and lemon juice. Plus add a tablespoon of ammonia.

Household cleansers

Most non-toxic household remedy has been in use for many years. To do this, purchase regular oxygen bleach and mix it in equal proportions with warm water... Spray or sponge the contaminated areas, leave for half an hour. If the stains are deep, wait an hour. Oxygen ions have the property of deep absorption, so the dirt simply falls apart into molecules, which are very easily scraped off and wiped dry.

You can also perfectly clean the seams of tiles with ordinary whiteness, which is applied with a soft sponge (always wearing protective gloves!), Left to dry and washed off with clean water.

The stores sell wonderful ones: "Sif", "Ultrastripper", "Doctor Muscle", "Atlas Dolphin", "BOZO" and the like, which effectively and quickly deal with any pollution.


Special attention you should pay attention to how to clean the joints between the tiles with a steam cleaner. It is, but quite costly. Hot steam can easily not only clean, but also destroy mold and mildew. To do this, you need to direct the steam to the seam, then rinse with water and wipe with a dry cloth.

Mixed option

People do not always have the finances to buy expensive products, but they also don’t want to waste time and effort on cleaning. folk methods... In this case, you can use the advice of experienced housewives who prepare a pasty mixture of baking soda and bleach.

But this method is only suitable for those who have not used a grout with colored pigments, since bleach really bleaches. The mixture is made to a pasty consistency and applied to the seams with a spatula. When the solution is dry, you need to rinse it off with water using a brush.

Fungus and mold

How to clean the seams between the tiles if they are wound up? In this case, you can use a special felt-tip pen containing a waterproof dye, which perfectly destroys infections and masks the seams.


To disinfect, use a mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar, teaspoon of softener, tablespoon of ammonia and warm water (2/3 tbsp.). Never use soap, as it is made up of alkalis that help mold grow.

Replacement

If none of the methods already helps you, then you will have to update the grout. This is a rather laborious process, so it is best to avoid heavy contamination. Replacement removes both dirt and infection.

You will need an opener or a regular thin screwdriver to clean the seams to the bottom. If all else fails, you can use a sander or sandpaper. Then it should be treated with a primer and antifungal composition. After completely dry, make a trowel mixture (you can choose any color) and apply the composition in the crevices. An important condition the timely withdrawal of surpluses is considered, because then it will be problematic to do this. You can buy the grout at the store or make your own.

Protection

In order to avoid the question of how to wash the seams of the tiles later, you need to take care of this in advance. Rarely will any of the specialists share such a secret, and even more so will not do such work, because this must be done extremely carefully.

The fact is that the store sells a unique liquid agent that is used to treat the seams after grouting. This liquid ensures the seam is clean and free of infection. The work is carried out carefully, because the ingress of liquid solution on the surface of the tile is unacceptable.

Video on how to clean the joints between tiles:

Wipe thoroughly before washing the joints between tiles. upper layer dust with a damp cloth. Never use hard brushes or metal tools, as these will easily damage the tiles.

Try to clean your tiles at least once a month. This will prevent heavy contamination even though the kitchen is working area you can do this cleaning more often.

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Facing the bases with decorative ceramics has long ceased to be something exotic, but at the same time, due to the many advantages of the tile, it has not lost its popularity. Modern technologies cause the emergence of new species ceramic tiles with improved characteristics, however, the way of making them decorative coating remains unchanged - the orderly laying of sheets on an adhesive with the subsequent arrangement of the joints of adjacent elements.

Tile joints, arranged with a fixed width or with a systematic variation of this parameter, are rubbed after installation of the tiles - they are filled to the full depth with special hardening compounds, and the overall impression of the finishing of the room depends, among other things, on the aesthetics of such a design of the joints.


However, grouting compositions are significantly inferior to ceramics in durability, especially in the period of preservation of decorative characteristics - evenness, uniformity and color of the outer surface. This difference is most relevant for floor cladding that is exposed to aggressive factors - moisture, dirt, abrasion is especially strong. Since it is absurd to change a ceramic floor covering due to dirt or grout wear, consider how to effectively clean tile joints using available funds with reference to the type of problem.

Cleaning the joints of floor ceramics

For arranging tile joints, mixtures based on reactive resins with zero permeability are rarely used. In most cases, cement-based compounds are used, which, after curing, form a less smooth surface and have a certain porosity, which contributes to surface contamination with the subsequent penetration of dirt inside. Therefore, we will consider methods for cleaning joints filled with cement adhesive mixtures.

Indoor floors public buildings with high traffic, people experience a high abrasive load, therefore, they are lined with tiles from hard species natural stone(granite, marble), often - dark color with the device of seams of minimum width. As a rule, such joints are filled with grout mixtures also in dark colors, so that the cladding is made of natural stone looked monolithic. The seams of this finish, even covered with street dirt, do not stand out from the general background and do not require thorough cleaning. But in some cases, for example, after painting works indoors or accidentally spilled paint, even these mates need to be thoroughly cleaned.

As for the floor cladding of cultural buildings, offices, housing, especially sanitary and hygienic rooms (bathrooms, showers, baths), then to increase the aesthetics and facilitate control of their cleanliness, tiles for decoration are chosen from materials of bright, light colors. The seams of such ceramics are rubbed with white or bright colored compounds that stand out against the general background and are additional elements clearance. Such joints especially require periodic thorough cleaning of dirt and fat deposits.

Cleaning the joints by steaming

This technology has recently been applied and is suitable for removing fresh surface contaminants, including fungus. With the help of a special device - a steamer, which looks like a floor polisher, ceramics are exposed to steam without an accentuated effect on the seams with simultaneous mechanized removal of softened layers of dirt. For household use it is hardly advisable to buy this unit, but in firms specializing in consumer services for the population, the use of such equipment is cost-effective.

Cleaning of tile joints with special compounds

If the contamination of the grout is not caused by some specific effect such as spilled paint, then the seams can be cleaned with the confidence of achieving a positive result with specially designed means.

From special means for cleaning tile joints on both walls and floors, its effectiveness stands out MellerudFugenReiniger- composition for domestic use made in Germany.

The instructions on the packaging contain all the necessary information on the use of the product and the observance of safety measures, so the consumer only has to follow it to achieve the result.

VALO Clean- no less effective remedy for Russian manufacturer for cleaning tile joints with a smooth and rough surface, successfully coping even with stubborn old stains. Recommended for indoor use, regardless of their purpose - residential, catering, medical institutions, etc.

VALO Clean for joint cleaning should not be confused with other products of the same name (removal of grout, washing of sanitary ware, etc.) - the scope of application is precisely indicated on the bottle.

Grout from the Canadian company EcoMist - absolutely non-toxic composition based on plant components (extracts of cereals, potatoes and tree sap) for surface cleaning of tile joints with the restoration of the original color without bleaching, removes old mold and dirt stains.


The use of Grout does not require the use of personal protective equipment (gloves, mask, goggles).

In many cases, it is possible to successfully wash the joints of ceramics without the use of special agents, using cleaning and detergent compositions for household use.

If grout white, the task is simplified - to restore its whiteness, the bleach in the detergent is not only not scary, but even desirable. But to refresh the colored joint filler, you can use only household chemicals without chlorine-containing components.

Do not use detergents with a high concentration of alkali or acids (Sanfor, Sanox, Sarma, Dosia) to clean the grout of glass mosaic floors - such compositions can dull the glass or distort its color.

The method of using each type of household composition is described on its packaging, and from the improvised tool for applying, cleaning and flushing solutions, they are used, regardless of the chosen tool, are used:

  • An old toothbrush or hard clothing brush.
  • Penofol or woolen cloth flap.
  • Foam rubber or clean rags.
  • A bucket for clean water.

Refreshing floor seams with artisanal methods

Without having at hand special or universal cleaning / detergents, the joints of the tiles can be successfully cleaned with compositions prepared from ingredients for food and household purposes.

To restore the whiteness of the joints between the tiles on the bathroom or kitchen floor, you need to take baking soda, lemon juice and 9 percent vinegar in volumetric proportion 0.5: 0.33: 0.25 - a mixture of juice and vinegar is slowly poured into the soda while stirring. The resulting composition is diluted with one and a half liters of water, after which the solution is ready for use - it is applied to the grout and rubbed into it with a toothbrush. After half an hour, the bleached joints are washed with clean water.


A water solution of ammonia prepared in a ratio of 1:15 successfully removes most of the contaminants. The finished product is applied to the seams, and after 15-20 minutes the dirt is washed off with warm water using dense foam rubber.

A good effect when whitening floor seams is also given by the use of a solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is applied to the joints with a brush or a piece of foam rubber, and after a quarter of an hour it is washed off with clean water. But this method, as with the use of lemon juice or soda, is unsuitable for the restoration of colored joints.

Get a better understanding of folk ways To restore the color of the grout of floor ceramics, watch this video:

Mechanical methods of refreshing floor tile joints

Without resorting to any chemistry, you can update the joints of the ceramic cladding using sandpaper... To do this, you need to take a sheet of this abrasive material and fold it in half or three times - with the abrasive outward. Depending on the width of the finish seams, sandpaper can be used to wrap around any plate of suitable thickness that has one straight side. With the resulting edge made of sandpaper, you need to clean the joints with longitudinal wiring along their surface, removing the contaminated layer of solution from the grout, but without going deeper than 1 mm.

After the end of the procedure, a special protective layer with antifungal additives is applied to the dust-free surface of the seams.

If the floor tiles are made of dark natural stone (granite, marble), then unwanted layers at the joints that stand out in color can be removed with a metal brush - the hardness of such tiles guarantees no scratches after the end of the procedure.

Conclusion

When planning to restore the color of the grout of ceramic floor cladding, the following rules must be observed:

  • Before starting the restoration of the grout, thoroughly wash the entire area of ​​the veneer.
  • After finishing the refreshing of the joints, you need to cover their surface protective compound- taking into account the factors that led to the implementation of the restoration.

Freshly laid tiles in the bathroom look very nice, but over time, dirt accumulates at the joints and seams, which is an excellent breeding ground for various fungi. Tips on how to clean the seams between tiles will help you deal with this problem at home.

In a bathroom, cleaning the joints between tiles is a tricky task. After all, over time, lime, dirt, dust accumulates in these places. All this, under the influence of moisture, becomes a favorable environment conducive to the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

The tile itself is much easier to clean, and in the intervals between them, due to their roughness, during normal washing, dust and dirt still remain. Therefore, you need to know how you can clean the joints on the floor and on the walls between the tiles. Below are the most common cooking methods folk remedies for removing dirt at home and tips for the care of tiles.

Soda and vinegar

This is one of the most simple methods removing dirt from tile joints. To prepare the product, you will need soda and vinegar. Soda is diluted at the rate of one tablespoon for 3 tablespoons of water.

The purification algorithm is as follows:

  1. The resulting paste of soda and water is applied to the seams, but before that you need to wear rubber gloves.
  2. Next, a vinegar solution is made and poured into a dish with a spray bottle. The ratio of vinegar to water should be 1: 1.
  3. The resulting liquid is sprayed onto the seams over the paste. The soda mass will begin to bubble.
  4. As soon as the chemical reaction stops, the tile joints must be carefully rubbed with a brush.
  5. Next, the seams are well washed with ordinary running water repeatedly.

A mixture of baking soda and vinegar is the easiest way

Hydrogen peroxide and soda

The paste is prepared from pharmacy hydrogen peroxide and ordinary baking soda in a ratio of 1: 4. You can add dishwashing liquid to this mixture. In this case, peroxide is a whitening component, soda acts as an abrasive, and detergent copes with fat.

The finished paste is applied to the tile joints, rubbing thoroughly, and left for a quarter of an hour. After that, the wall is washed several times with warm water.

Important: If mosaic or glass tiles were used in the arrangement of the bathroom, do not use strong detergents with big amount alkalis.

Soda, lemon, vinegar

For the first time after renovation, many owners are looking for options than to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, because they cannot cope with the dirt that appears. A mixture of baking soda, vinegar and lemon - effective method to help remove stubborn dirt. This product penetrates well into irregularities, small cracks, removing dust from there, limescale and other dirt.

The ratio of ingredients should be as follows:

  • lemon juice - one third of a whole citrus;
  • soda - half a glass;
  • vinegar (9%) - a quarter cup.

Before preparing the product and using it, you must wear gloves so that the composition does not cause skin irritation. Further, all components are dissolved in 1.5 liters of purified water (you can take chilled boiled water). The chemical reaction will start immediately, so you need to mix the mixture very carefully so that splashes do not get on your skin or clothing.

The resulting product is rubbed into the seams. To do this, you can use a hard-sided sponge or a toothbrush. After about 20 minutes, rinse the homemade detergent mixture thoroughly with warm water.

The composition will turn out to be no less effective if the lemon juice is replaced with citric acid. For 1.5 liters of liquid, you need a tablespoon of crystals.


Lemon with baking soda and vinegar will help remove even stubborn stains from tiles.

Ammonia

Thanks to the use of ammonia, the tiles in the bathroom will not only be clean, but also receive a dazzling shine. Prepare the product as follows: dissolve a tablespoon of the pharmaceutical preparation in two liters of water. Next, using a spray bottle, the resulting composition is applied to the walls and floor. Home detergent composition leave for 20 minutes and then rinse off with a soft sponge.

Thanks to ammonia, it will be possible to remove not only accumulated dust and dirt, but also get rid of the mold that has appeared. In addition, the product has a powerful antiseptic effect and destroys various harmful microorganisms.

Soda and "Whiteness"

The Whiteness whitening agent, known since Soviet times, also helps to effectively deal with difficult stains on tiles and joints. To prepare the detergent, you will also need regular baking soda. A paste is prepared from these components. "Whiteness" is poured into convenient container and add soda until a mushy consistency is obtained.

Wearing rubber gloves, gently apply the composition to the seams with a spatula and leave to dry completely. Since the whitening ingredient has a pungent odor, you should protect your face with a gauze bandage. Further, "Whiteness" and soda are washed off with water, for high-quality cleaning using a hard sponge or brush. Such a remedy even helps to cope with the black plaque from nicotine on the tiles.


"Whiteness" will return inter-tile seams original color

Toothpaste, soda, mustard

This is another effective way to tidy up tiles and seams. To prepare the composition you will need:

  • toothpaste (or powder) 1 teaspoon;
  • lemon juice from half a citrus;
  • soda - ½ standard glass;
  • mustard powder - 20 grams.

Pour into the prepared container clean water, add all of these components and mix thoroughly. Using a sponge or brush, rub the mixture into the inter-tile space and leave for half an hour. Then the tiles should be washed with warm water.

Steam cleaner

Hot steam is in itself an effective means of fighting dirt. Good steam release under high pressure, softens limescale pieces and knocks them out of the joints. Under the influence of steam, harmful microorganisms die: bacteria, spores of fungi and mold.


The steam cleaner will cope even with very strong fungal deposits

How to clean the seams between tiles with household chemicals

It is not always easy to deal with stubborn dirt with the help of improvised means. In this case, to clean the tile joints, you should use special formulations designed for these purposes. However, remember that the chemicals they contain are toxic. Therefore, when working with such formulations, it is necessary to use a protective mask and rubber gloves.

Below are the most common store-bought products that allow you to quickly clean out not only accumulated dirt, but also mold:



Means for cleaning the joints between tiles

Modern production facilities allow the production of many varieties of tiles. Therefore, before cleaning the tile joints in the bathroom, you should choose the right detergents.

  1. Glazed tiles on contact with an acidic environment lose their external qualities. At the same time, the glossy surface fades and does not look very beautiful.
  2. Matte tiles are easy to clean. However, even after cleaning, it must be treated with a special mastic. It forms a film that prevents dirt from accumulating on the material itself and at the joints.
  3. When cleaning tile joints, do not use too hard and coarse brushes and do not clean them with abrasive powders with coarse granules. This technique will easily ruin the surface. building material and dirt will accumulate much faster in this case.
  4. In order not to suffer from fungus or mold that has grown on the seams later, it is necessary to choose the right grout even at the repair stage. It is desirable that it be produced on epoxy base... Such materials are less dirty and resistant to mold.
  5. Since the state of finishing in the bathroom directly depends on the existing microclimate there, it is necessary to regularly monitor that the room is as dry as possible. A properly installed ventilation system plays a huge role in this.
  6. After taking a bath or shower, it is necessary to wipe the tiles with a cloth that absorbs water well. The absence of moisture reduces the likelihood of dust and dirt accumulation, and the seams will have to be cleaned much less often.

Using the tips above, you can easily get rid of existing dirt and prevent new ones from appearing. Regular maintenance of the tiles will keep them initial appearance.

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If you neglect to clean the walls and floors after each bath, sooner or later, repulsive dirt and mold will appear on the walls and floors. Water, lime and dust accumulate at the joints between the tiles, which is an excellent breeding ground for the growth of the fungus.

Peculiarities

Tile - excellent finishing material, which belongs to the category of durable and easy to care for. However, rarely does anyone manage to avoid darkening, against which the usual wet cleaning is powerless. The messy look of tile joints that were recently white will upset any hostess.

Before we move on to studying how to clean the seams, let's figure out why the tile joints darken. The level of contamination depends on the purpose of the room in which the tiles were laid. Often in the hallway and in the kitchen, the coating quickly loses appearance, because these rooms are more polluted than others. The tiles themselves are washed regularly, but it is much more difficult to clean the seams, so this space is not often cleaned. The way to combat darkening must be selected depending on the type of pollution. Residues of food and detergents, dust, street dirt lead to them.

Unfortunately, grout loses its original appearance very quickly, since it has a rough surface in which dirt can easily get stuck. Therefore, when thinking over the repair and design of the room, it is important to take care of practicality and choose a darker grout, otherwise the snow-white seams will delight you with whiteness for a very short time.

We cleanse from dirt

Even after a general cleaning, tile joints can have a sloppy appearance. But there are still ways to return the seams to their original state, and there are a lot of them.

The choice of method depends on the color of the grout and the type of tile itself. The key differences between these methods are the use of household chemicals or home remedies. Both are quite effective.

Soda and vinegar

It is necessary to make a mixture of water and baking soda in a ratio of 3 to 1. You should get a thick paste, which is suitable for cleaning colored joints, but can harm natural materials from limestone and marble. The work algorithm is as follows:

  1. The paste is applied to the joint with fingers in rubber gloves, so as not to cause micro-trauma to the skin of the hands;
  2. A solution of water and vinegar is made in a ratio of 1 to 1. The solution is poured into a container with a spray bottle;
  3. The product is sprayed onto the applied paste. The mass begins to bubble, therefore, the process has begun chemical reaction;
  4. Wait for bubbling to stop;
  5. Scrub the joints with a stiff brush;
  6. Spend wet cleaning several times to wash off the remaining solution.

Oxidized bleach

  1. Oxidized bleach in the amount of 2 tablespoons is dissolved in 2 glasses of water;
  2. It is necessary to test the liquid in an inconspicuous place before applying it to the entire tile surface. In some cases, the color of the joints will change, so make sure that you do not ruin the grout;
  3. Water the seams with a solution.
  4. We clean in small areas so that puddles of liquid do not collect on the floor;
  5. We rub the solution into the joint with a brush. Especially carefully you need to walk around the corners and edges;
  6. Finally, rinse the floor well.

Hydrogen peroxide, soda, and dishwashing liquid

Make a paste with 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap. This method is very effective due to its components:

  1. Soda works like an abrasive;
  2. Peroxide reacts with baking soda, thereby providing a whitening effect;
  3. Dish detergent easily removes grease.

Apply the paste evenly with a brush to the joints and leave for a quarter of an hour. Wash the seams with warm water several times.

Steam cleaner

Steam cleaners perfectly clean and disinfect gaps between tiles without using chemical substances... This household appliance does not have to be purchased; you will surely find offers for renting it. A steam cleaner is suitable for you, which includes a hose and a brush attachment.

Clean with a steam cleaner according to the instructions. After switching on, wait until the device reaches required temperature... The instructions will indicate how long you need to wait. The steam method is effective not only for removing dust and dirt, but also mold.

Summing up, it becomes clear that it is easier to maintain constant cleanliness between the tiles than then to fight an unequal battle with old dirt and try to scrub off the colonies of the fungus. To prevent running stains again, apply to the joints protective agent to prevent dirt and mildew from entering the grout.

Removing mold

Another enemy that is extremely difficult to overcome is black mold. Her disgusting growths on the walls and floor between the tiles able to cross out even the most expensive and sophisticated bathroom renovations.

There are several methods that can get rid of this blackness. Let's start with homemade recipes, because many housewives do not welcome the use of chemicals in everyday life, for fear of harm to health. In addition, home methods are much more economical than buying expensive detergents.

The most effective recipes for killing mold:

  • A paste of soda and chlorine powder. Whiteness or any other cleaning powder containing chlorine will do. The resulting mixture of soda and whiteness effectively brightens and disinfects the surface. But as mentioned above, bleach-containing blends are not suitable for colored seams. Wear gloves and a face shield when handling aggressive chemicals such as chlorine. The mass is applied with a spatula to problem areas before drying. Then all this is washed off with water.
  • Citric acid, soda, and vinegar. Another working household method for dealing with mold is a solution of water, vinegar, citric acid, and baking soda. If the moldiness is insignificant, then you can treat the lesions with vinegar without dilution, then rinse.
  • Ammonia. Dissolve two tablespoons of ammonia in two liters of water. Then spray the solution onto the affected area. After a quarter of an hour, walk with a damp cloth and wipe dry. The antimicrobial effect of ammonia will help get rid of black plaque.
  • Steam. The steam generator will help to cope not only with dirt, but also with mold. The device delivers hot steam under pressure, which softens and pushes dirt out of the tile joints, and heat destroys mold and mildew.

This method is by far the most enjoyable and convenient. When cleaning, you do not have to breathe corrosive chemicals and dilute the dampness in the room. However, there is a risk of burns, so work carefully.

Household chemicals

It is not always possible to get rid of blackness with home methods, and then it is worth turning to specialized means aimed at fighting mold. Household chemicals do not always give the desired results, and there is little pleasant in the smell of vinegar and bleach. Today, you can buy many effective products that will get rid of mold and protect against its appearance in the future. The most popular remedies include:

  1. "Atlas Dolphin"- it is a protective emulsion, it does not clean, but creates a film that prevents the deposition of dirt and bacteria. It is applied immediately after grouting or after cleaning the seams. This protection will help keep your bathtub clean.
  2. "Bozo"- a concentrate that removes lime and rust, disinfects and removes odors. It is diluted in a ratio of 1 to 4, but the fungus is directly processed with a pure concentrate.
  3. Mellerud - an excellent product for the maintenance of bathroom tiles. Quickly removes soap and lime stains while refreshing grout and tile color. For routine cleaning, it is recommended to dilute 125 g of the product in a bucket of water. For stubborn soiling, use without dilution.
  4. "Snowball"- a special pencil that whitens the seams and kills the fungus. The remedy is effective for shallow lesions.
  5. Melamine sponge Is not an absorbent cleaning item, as you might think, but a detergent. It is a kind of eraser that erases dirt and erases itself. It is enough to wet the sponge and try to clean off the dirt with it.

All these substances are much stronger and more concentrated than home components, and this is certainly a plus and a minus of their high toxicity, so it is better to work in a respirator, providing ventilation of the room.

In advanced cases, more serious measures are needed, since the fungus managed to settle deep in the grout. The best thing, of course, would be to take off old tiles, clean and disinfect the surface and put a new one. If major repairs are not included in the plans, then you will have to deeply clean the seams.

In no case should mold be left unattended. Fungal spores are extremely hazardous to health, which is known to be the most expensive.

Grouting is tedious and hard work, but worth it... The work can be carried out with a spatula, but it is better to use a drill with a half-disk nozzle, this will somewhat simplify the task. Before work, the tile joints must be moistened with water and vinegar so that the grout becomes more pliable. After that, the joints need to be washed, dried and treated with antifungal agents, and then wiped again.