How to Clean Unsealed Tile Floor Grout

Newly tiled floors can be difficult to clean since you do not want to damage the newly laid grout before the sealant can be placed over it. Here are some tips you can use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• vacuum cleaner
• cloth mop/dry Swiffer
• baking soda
• bleach
• toothbrush

1. Make sure that the tile grout is set. Wait at least 48 hours after laying the grout.
2. Vacuum the floor to remove hair and lint from the tile surface.
3. Use the cloth mop to dry mop the surface to get any extra dust off the floor.
4. Make a paste of the baking soda with bleach. Do not add too much bleach as you do not want the grout to absorb too much bleach.
5. Spread the paste over the grout surfaces and let it sit for an hour or two.
6. Use the toothbrush to scrub the paste off of the grout surfaces. Do not use too stiff a brush as it may remove some of the grout.
7. Try to get the grout sealed as soon as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to keep people from walking on the floor while the paste is drying.
• If it is in a heavy traffic area, do small sections of the floor to keep people off the cleaning section and still able to use the floor.
• Try to get the grout sealed as soon as possible. Grout attracts dirt and the longer you wait, the harder it will be to clean.
• Do not use an ammonia cleaner on the floor after using the paste. Ammonia and bleach make toxic fumes.
• Do not use rough brushes or steel wool to clean the grout as it has the consistency of chalk and is removed really easily.