How to Whiten White Floor Grout?
You can whiten white floor grout by using a simple paste made from bicarbonate of soda and household bleach, applied with an old toothbrush.
Revitalizing discolored white grout can significantly improve the look of your tiled floors. Grout, being porous, easily traps dirt, grime, and mildew, leading to discoloration over time. A common and effective method for tackling this involves a mixture of common household cleaning agents.
Based on practical methods, including information found in helpful resources, you will need a few key items to get started:
- Bicarbonate of Soda (also known as baking soda)
- Household Bleach
- A small dish or container for mixing
- An old toothbrush or a dedicated grout brush
- Gloves (recommended for handling bleach)
- Old cloths or paper towels
- Water for rinsing
Step-by-Step Grout Whitening Process
Using bicarbonate of soda and bleach is a popular and effective approach for whitening grout. Here's how to do it:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Ensure the area is well-ventilated. It's highly recommended to wear gloves and protect your clothing when working with bleach.
- Create the Paste: In the small dish, mix bicarbonate of soda with a small amount of household bleach. Start with a few tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda and add bleach gradually, mixing until you achieve a thick paste consistency. The paste should be thick enough to adhere to the grout lines without being too runny.
- Apply the Paste: Dip your old toothbrush into the paste and apply it directly onto the discolored grout lines. Work in small sections.
- Scrub the Grout: Vigorously scrub the grout lines with the toothbrush. The abrasive nature of the bicarbonate of soda combined with the cleaning power of bleach helps lift stains and brighten the grout.
- Let it Sit: For stubborn stains, allow the paste to sit on the grout for about 5-10 minutes. This gives the bleach time to work on the discoloration. Do not let bleach sit on surfaces for excessively long periods, and avoid contact with surrounding materials that could be damaged by bleach.
- Rinse Thoroughly: After scrubbing or letting the paste sit, rinse the area completely with clean water to remove all traces of the paste and bleach. You might need to use a wet cloth or mop for this step.
- Wipe Dry: Wipe the tiles and grout dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots and mildew from forming.
- Repeat if Necessary: For heavily stained grout, you may need to repeat the process.
| Supply | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Bicarbonate of Soda | Mild abrasive, helps lift stains |
| Household Bleach | Disinfectant, whitens and brightens grout |
| Small Dish | For mixing the paste |
| Old Toothbrush | For applying and scrubbing the paste |
Important Considerations:
- Ventilation: Always ensure good ventilation when using bleach.
- Patch Test: Test the mixture on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage or discolor your specific type of tile or grout.
- Alternative Methods: While the bleach and bicarbonate of soda method is effective, other options exist, such as oxygen bleach-based cleaners, dedicated grout cleaners, or even steam cleaning.
Following these steps can help restore your white floor grout to a brighter, cleaner appearance.
