Found a Good Tip by Accident to Clean Grout Between Floor Tiles. Any Others?

Updated on August 30, 2012
T.F. asks from Pleasanton, CA
7 answers

I've seen the question asked here on Mamapedia about how to clean grout between floor tiles. We've had an ongoing issue with gross dingy grout because it wasn't sealed when the tiles were installed. THIS DRIVES ME NUTS! We also have an old doggy that barfs every once in awhile and it is a very unpleasant experience. A week ago this happened, my husband scooped most of it up and I decided to poor the rest of the Simple Orange on it as there wasnt' much left. Usually when cleaning I dilute the simple orange or simple green as directed but I thought I'd rather have a strong orange smell rather than the alternative. I did rinse very well with water. Next morning I notice the grout in the treated area is cleaner than it has been in 10 years! Seriously! All the products I've tried and all the freaking down on my knees scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing!?!?!? The answer was here all the time? So I did use it full strength just on the grout and rinsed rinsed rinsed. At this point I don't care if its "bad for the grout" like bleach is, It is clean and makes me happy! I figure I'll use a dilution of this stuff to maintain it and hopefully won't have to use it like this again but atleast I know. It didn't take much scrubbing either!

Any other accidental "THIS IS THE ANSWER" moments you'd like to share?

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So What Happened?

http://www.simplegreen.com/home.php

I bought it at a hadware store. Careful as even the ones that come in the spray bottle are supposed to be diluted. I'm hoping now I can keep it clean with even greener products like the vinegar and lemons mentioned by some posters And YES, thanks for the reminder to seal it! Thanks everyone!

More Answers

E.A.

answers from Erie on

Old stains from dry erase markers on a white board? Dampen a rag with rubbing alcohol and it will come right off. Is it really stubborn? Use hand sanitizer, let it sit for 10 minutes and try again with a plastic scrubbie. The hand sanitizer won't run all over the place and won't evaporate as quickly.

I try to clean the bathroom right after someone takes a shower, it's always easier to wipe the mess up.

Don't clean up cat puke off the carpet until it has dried, it will crumble and you can just pick it up with tissues, then vacuum up the last of it. Trying to clean it up when it's wet just smears it.

3 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

well, my tile is sealed....or it was. :)

But, my go-to cleaner for floor tile grout is: DOW Scrubbing Bubbles! OMG, spray it on....get down on your hands & knees with a toothbrush.... & that grout almost wipes clean! Been using it for years now....& it works!

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J.M.

answers from Jacksonville on

Vinegar, lemons & limes!! My kids have allergies & asthma, so I don't like using chemicals to clean.. Vinegar works great for cleaning stove, microwave & frig. I was out of vinegar & decided to try a lemon in my microwave. Just roll the lemon to get juice flowing, slice off end & rub all over, let set about 5 min. Wipe with warm cloth!! Works Great & smells good too!! I cleaned my frig with a lime today!! We always have lemons & limes (Coronas baby);)

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J.F.

answers from Bloomington on

My "Answer" was when I put a damp towel or wash rag in the microwave and nuked it for about 30-45 seconds. I was then able to carefully wipe down the microwave with minimal effort. I suspect the extra moisture loosened the dried food and the steam helped wipe out any grease. I also use vinegar spray to disinfect and cut grease after I wipe it down with the hot towel/dish rag.

I wish I knew your trick years ago! We had a WHOLE house full of tile with wide grout lines that were DIRTY. At one point, I started using grout paint and put it down with my finger. My finger did NOT like this approach and I only got one room done.

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V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Make sure you seal it before something happens again.
Our builder did not seal our either. I finally got it all clean and sealed it. Much easier to clean now.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

WD40 takes non-washable crayon off walls.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

What is this Simply Orange and where do you buy it?? My shower grout is a pain to keep clean so I would love to try it.

1 mom found this helpful
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