How to Clean Unsealed Grout

Grout is the gritty substance found between tiles.

Grout is a gritty substance placed between tiles. It is highly recommended to seal grout using a grout sealer to prevent stains, mold and water damage. If the grout is not sealed, it is important to avoid using harsh chemicals and excessive amounts of water to prevent water damage and discoloration. If you are unsure about whether the grout is sealed, try this simple trick: dribble a small amount of water onto the grout. If the water becomes absorbed into the grout, it's unsealed grout. If the water beads up, it's sealed grout.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Spray bottle
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/3 cup ammonia
• 1/4 cup
• Towel or wet/dry vacuum
• Towel or paper towel

Instructions

1. Sweep grout on floor tiles with a broom to remove dust, dirt and debris.

2. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup white vinegar and seven cups warm water in a spray bottle.

3. Spray the mixture onto the unsealed grout in a small area. Immediately soak up the water using a towel or wet/dry vacuum. Do not allow the water to soak into the grout; it should just graze the surface, and dirt will be removed when removing water. Continue this process until all areas are cleaned. The process may need to be repeated over the same area several times.

4. Press a towel or paper towel into clean, unsealed grout to ensure all moisture is removed.

References

• Mrs Clean USA: Grout Cleaning And Stain Removal
• Orchard Supply Hardware: Grout Cleaning Tips