A bathroom should be always clean and attractive. If the place gets dirty you’ll feel disgusting. Also, it will affect your health. The bathroom is perfect for mildew or mold to grow. These fungi prefer dark and wet places. Normally, the bathroom is always wet and has a high level of moisture content. Even bacteria and dark molds can grow rapidly. The bathtub is the most important place in your bathroom, that you should keep clean. Most of the time you and your kids will spend a lot of time in a bathtub. So, you should keep it clean, otherwise you might get affected by some fungi or bacteria. That is why today we are going to talk about how to clean bathtub grout.
Common fungi types grow on bathtub grout
Two types of fungi can affect your bathtub grout. Here are those two kinds.
Mold
Mold includes various types of multicellular microscopic fungi. It can colonize any kind of organic matter. Like cloths, paper, leather, and even roof sheets. These molds can spread faster in a damp environment. That is why, areas like the bathtub are most suitable for their growth. Depending on the quantity, it can be black, green, red, or blue and has a very strong odor.
Mildew
Very similar to mold. While the mold has a slimy or fuzzy look, mildew has a powdery look. Also, mildews have a smell that is very similar to damp socks and has a grey color.
How to clean bathtub grout?
When it comes to cleaning the bathtub grout, you should clean both the tub and surrounding area (including the shower). Today we’ll talk about few methods to clean your bathtub grout. All of these methods are straightforward and most suitable for cleaning bathtub grout. But, before we start, we need to address the safety issues revolving around these methods.
Safety first
In these cleaning processes, you’ll be dealing with high-quality chemical products. So, it is much better to follow the below steps to avoid any risks.
- You should always wear a protective gear. Like, face masks and rubber gloves. Make sure you don’t breathe in these chemical products. These chemicals can cause respiratory issues. Also, don’t let the chemicals get in your eyes.
- Keep the windows and doors open during these cleaning processes. In high heat levels, vinegar can burn rock and metal. Vinegar contains 20% of acetic acid, this acid can damage your tiles. This only happens in extreme heat conditions.
- Don’t start any light fire inside your bathroom during the cleaning process. Although bleach like Clorox is not flammable. When it mixes with other chemicals, it can be flammable. So, it is better to be careful.
We hope now you have a good knowledge about safety issues. Always remember to follow these steps to avoid any emergencies.
Method 01 – Using kitchen remedies for the cleaning process
This is the most environment-friendly method to clean your bathtub. For this process, you’ll need only a steam cleaner with a pointed nozzle. Target the steam cleaner at the bathtub grout lines. Apply the stream continuously. Even if you were unable to clean all the molds and mildews, you’ll get good output from this technique. Also, it will loosen the grime to a great extent.
Method 02 – Using baking soda and white vinegar for the cleaning process
Here are the materials you need for this method.
Baking soda, white vinegar, spray bottle, grout brush or scrub brush, small bowl, clean towel, and warm water
Step 1
Mix three-parts of baking soda with one part of warm water. Stir the mixture until it forms a paste.
Step 2
Apply the paste on the bathtub grout.
Step 3
Then spray the white vinegar on the paste. Wait for at least five minutes.
Step 4
After five minutes, scrub the grout with the scrub brush.
Step 5
Now, rinse the area with warm water and dry the surface using a towel.
Method 03 – Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for the cleaning process
If the white vinegar and baking soda are unable to do the trick. You can use hydrogen peroxide instead of white vinegar. And remember to wear protective gear before starting the process. Whenever you are using hydrogen peroxide, you should be very careful.
Materials – Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, a spray bottle, a grout brush or scrub brush, a small bowl, a clean towel, and warm water
Step 1
First, wear the protective gear. Then mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.
Step 2
Apply the paste on the grout using a grout brush or scrub brush.
Step 3
If needed, spray some hydrogen peroxide on the paste. Wait at least 5 minutes.
Step 4
After five minutes, you can start the scrubbing process. Use the scrub brush for this.
Step 5
Finally, rinse the bathtub area two or three times before drying it with the towel.
Method 04 – Using lemon oil and borax for the cleaning process
This is a very simple and effective way to clean the bathtub grout. For this, you’ll need the following materials.
Borax, lemon oil, liquid soap, a scrub brush, and warm water
Step 1
Mix 1 63mg of borax with 3ml (half teaspoon) lemon oil in the bowl. Also. Add the liquid soap. Stir the mixture until it forms a thin paste.
Step 2
Scrub the paste onto the grout using the scrub brush.
Step 3
Finally, rinse the area with warm water.
Method 05 – Using Clorox for the cleaning process
This is the most suitable method if you are dealing with stubborn molds and mildew. Clorox (sodium percarbonate) is a combination of soda crystals and hydrogen peroxide.
Step 1
Wear an appropriate protective gear.
Step 2
Apply the Clorox on the grout lines.
Step 3
Let it sit at least for one hour.
Step 4
After one hour, you can start the scrubbing. Use a scrub brush or grout brush for this process.
Step 5
Finally, clean the bathtub area with warm water.
Wrapping Up
These five methods are the best option for you to clean the bathtub grout. So, we truly hope with this article, now you have a better understanding of how to clean bathtub grout. But, whenever you are using these methods, always follow a safety protocol.