Sooner or later, everyone has to face the question of how to clean the seams between the tiles on the floor. Even if you regularly carry out wet cleaning in the house, the joints between the tiles will inevitably clog, which will not only spoil the visual perception of the surface, but can also cause illness in family members.

Floor tiles are most susceptible to dirt and therefore require regular maintenance

Contamination reasons

The floor is constantly exposed to contact with dirt, dust, water and various substances. But if you can wipe the tile in a few seconds, then everything is much more complicated with the joints. It takes time and effort to clean them, but it's worth it.

Seams collect dirt and are ideal breeding grounds for pathogenic bacteria, fungus and mold. Therefore, the situation must be corrected immediately, before the matter comes to dire consequences.

Before starting to wash the tiles on the floor, it is necessary to determine the type of contamination, since the selection of cleaning agents and the further list of actions largely depend on this.

Most often, seams suffer for the following reasons:

• remnants of materials after repair;
• detergents;
• dirty water;
• food particles;
• dirt from the street;
• dust.

During the operation of the surface, the grout darkens, foreign particles adhere to it and, if you do not take measures, soon a fungus is added to the problems of cleanliness.

During operation, the tile joints become dirty and the surface loses its original appearance

Tools and materials

How and how to clean the dirty tile joints on the floor? For this, a whole arsenal of tools is used. Much, of course, depends on the type of pollution and the degree of its neglect. Sometimes you can do with improvised means and a simple sponge, but in most cases you still need special household chemicals and a stiff brush.

To clean the seams between the tiles on the floor, you will need:

• used toothbrush;
• scraper;
• grout;
• rubber spatula;
• household chemicals (powder, gel or spray);
• soda;
• vinegar;
• lemon;
• peroxide;
• dishwashing liquid;
• protective gloves;
• clean water and a sponge.

Ideally, old grout should be disposed of with special tools.

Dirt at the joints

So let's take a look at how and how to clean clogged joints between floor tiles. If the dirt is not too serious, even improvised means are suitable for this, for example, you can clean the seams with a toothbrush and baking soda. If fat particles are clogged between the tiles, additionally sprinkle the treated areas with vinegar to activate the reaction with soda. Add lemon juice for a pleasant scent and enhance the effect.

If it is easier for you to work with household chemicals or stains are not cleaned out using these methods, use special compounds designed for washing tiles and joints between them. These products can be supplied in the form of a cleaning powder, active gel or spray and they work very quickly. If the stains are tough, apply the product and leave it on for a few minutes. Repeat the procedure if necessary.

If a fungus has developed

Now let's look at how and with what to clean the darkened seams between the tiles on the floor, if it has already come to mold or mildew. Here, simple methods will turn out to be powerless, because after infection it is quite difficult to get rid of the problem. The best way is to completely replace the affected areas.

In cases where fungal infections occur, the inter-tile material is removed and a new grout is applied.

First, you need to clean the affected areas of the joints between the tiles. This is done in the same way as during the repair - with the help of a scraper. After that, it is advisable to walk along the joints with an antiseptic impregnation in order to protect the floors from the spread of microbes. After it dries out, you can start filling up the cracks. Dilute a small amount of grout and apply it to loose joints.

It is recommended to carry out such an update from time to time, since in addition to contamination, a gradual destruction and leaching of the material occurs. This can affect the aesthetics, hygiene, water resistance and durability of the facing surface.

After finishing work

A big problem arises when you need to clean the tiles on the floor after renovation. Such a need appears in the event that there are particles of mortar, grout, construction dust, primer, paint, etc. on the tile. In this case, ordinary soap solution is no longer enough.

Often, solvents, ammonia or kerosene are used to remove serious contaminants. In a concentrated form, these substances are not used, they are used to prepare a cleaning solution. With their help, it is possible to soften the stains from the repair, and after that it becomes much easier to wash them.

Before using a solvent, make sure your tile is capable of withstanding this corrosive substance. Try it on an inconspicuous area. If the surface has not deteriorated, you can safely wash it.

If the solution or paint still cannot be washed off, you can use a razor or scraper. In doing so, try not to damage the decorative part of the tile.

Whitening

Now let's look at how and with what you can clean the old seams between the tiles on the floor so that they turn white again. Over time, the joints between the tiles darken, as they absorb dirty water, dust, various pigments, etc. Therefore, periodically you need to refresh them with bleaching.

The simplest and most effective way is to apply a peroxide-based composition. It is safe for tiles and grouting between joints, but may cause irritation with prolonged skin contact, so be sure to wear gloves.

Dissolve a small amount of the mixture in a plastic container. It consists of dishwashing gel, directly peroxide and soda. You should get a creamy gruel. The proportions are taken approximately equal. The gel will remove the grease from the seams, and the soda and peroxide will return them to their former whiteness. Apply the composition with a toothbrush and rub lightly. Then let it sit for a couple of hours for the reaction to take place. Then rinse everything off with clean water. It is recommended to wash the floors in this way several times a year.

If you monitor the condition of the joints and wash them regularly, and not just after renovation, you will extend the life of your floor and protect your home from mold and mildew.

In the kitchen, bathroom and bathrooms, the seams between the tiles on the walls and on the floor under the influence of increased moisture and various aggressive substances (detergents and cleaning agents, grease, broth splashes) darken over time. To restore the finish to its original appearance, you need to know how to clean the joints between the tiles.

The reason for the discoloration of the tile joints

To fill the gaps between the tiles, special building compounds are used. These are fairly stable mixtures, but they can also darken under the influence of moisture, as well as as a result of splashes during cooking. This is usually due to bacteria, mold and mildew growing in the joints and gradually destroying the grout. They not only spoil the appearance of the decoration of the premises, but can also harm the health of people. Therefore, when darkening appears, it is necessary to clean the joints between the tiles from dirt and treat against mold and mildew.

How to clean the seams between tiles?

To clean the darkened grout between the tiles on the walls and on the floor, you can use the products that are available in hardware stores. They are selected depending on the degree of contamination of the seams.

• If the grout is discolored, contaminated with grease or detergent residues, you can try washing it with any standard detergent that removes grease and limescale. Fairy, CIF, AOS, Silit and others will do.
• If mold or mildew begins to appear on the seams, then chlorine-containing preparations such as "Whiteness" or Domestos should be used. After application, they are left for five minutes and then washed off.
• Your best bet is, of course, to use a tile and joint cleaner such as Ultra-Stripper or BOZO. And if you then treat the grout with Atlas Dolphin joint protection liquid, the walls and floor will remain clean for a long time.
• Small areas where dirt could not be washed off can be painted over with a special felt-tip pen.
• After anti-mildew and mildew treatment, you can remove any remaining dirt using fine-grained sandpaper. It peels off the thin top layer, revealing a clean grout, which will become even smoother and smoother after this procedure.
• A modern steam generator will help both clean the joints between the tiles and disinfect the surface by removing mold and mildew. With this treatment, the structure of the grout material is not disturbed, streaks and smudges do not occur. Contaminated areas are treated with thick hot steam, after which the dirt is easily removed with a cloth soaked in warm water.

How to clean the seams between tiles with improvised means?

If during the major cleaning there were no industrial tools at hand, then you can clean the tiles well with what you almost always have at home.

• You can qualitatively wash the tiles on the walls and on the floor with a solution of ordinary vinegar and water, mixing them in equal proportions. The resulting mixture should be sprayed over the entire surface and cleaned with a stiff brush.
• It is good to clean the grout with a possibly pasty mixture made from baking soda and bleach. But you can only use this mixture for white putty - the bleach will remove the color. After applying the composition, you must wait until the product dries, then rinse with a brush.
• You can restore the original shine of the finish with a solution of ammonia (1 tablespoon for 2 liters of water). The solution is sprayed over the entire surface and left for 10 minutes, then washed off with a damp sponge.
• A solution of hydrogen peroxide (1: 2) cleans the grout well. The seams are processed with it. Do not wash off.

If the old grout cannot be washed and it crumbles during processing, then the only way out is to cut the seams and replace the grout.

Do not use soap to clean the tiles. The substances that make up it contribute to the spread of mold.

Some features

When planning to clean the grout, you should take into account the type of tiles laid. The choice of a means for processing seams depends on this.

• Glazed tiles are acid resistant. Using acid-based products will dull the surface.
• After cleaning the joints, unglazed matte tiles must be thoroughly washed and covered with a protective mastic.
• Glass tiles and mosaics are very resistant, but they cannot be cleaned with compounds with a high concentration of acids and alkalis.
• It is undesirable to use products containing abrasive materials for cleaning any coating.
• For grouting joints on the floor, you can use epoxy-based mixtures that are little contaminated and are not susceptible to fungus and mold.

Cleaning the seams is unlikely to be quick and easy, so it is best not to allow serious dirt to accumulate in them. Proper maintenance of tiles and seams will keep your kitchen and bathroom walls clean and attractive.

After laying the tiles, you always enjoy the pleasant whiteness of the tile joints, which give an original look to any room. But over time, they become dirty and spoil the appearance of the entire coating. And the longer you do not take cleaning measures, the dirtier they will become. This is due to exposure of the grout to a humid environment, shampoos and limescale. And to stop this process you need to know how to clean the joints between the tiles? It must be said right away that this is not an easy process and you will have to work hard to bring the condition of the grouting joints back to their original form.

Cleaning grout with chemicals

First, you can try to remove the dirt with a regular hard brush and some kind of detergent (with active substances), for example, the good old "Pemolux". Dampen a small area with water, and with your hand, of course, wearing a rubber glove, apply the powder to the seams.

Take your time to wash it off right away, but wait about 10 minutes. Then you need to forcefully clean all the seams with a brush. After that, rinse everything off with water and walk with a brush again to completely remove the powder. If necessary, you can repeat the entire process until you get the desired result.

This method is the most humane and will help to clean the grout between the tiles in the event that the pollution is not strongly ingrained into it.

If this method did not help to cope with the contamination of the grouting joints, then you can resort to more radical measures.

Folk method

You need to mix in an iron bowl 6 glasses of water, half a glass of soda, one third of a glass of vinegar and lemon juice.

It is necessary to use such a cleaner very carefully, always wearing rubber gloves and with an open door. Use a toothbrush or sponge to clean. Gently apply it to the seams between the tiles and, after waiting 10 minutes, rinse off with plain water. It is also advisable to repeat this procedure two times. Lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda will eat into the dirt and wash off even the most difficult dirt very well.

Another way that will help you quickly and without the use of chemicals to cope with pollution. Take some sandpaper (one piece) and gently clean all the seams so as not to scratch the tile. This is a relatively fast and labor-intensive option. Do not forget to wash all tiles afterwards.

If cleaning doesn't work

If the usual methods of removing dirt from grouting joints do not help, or they fade again after a certain time, then, most likely, a fungus has started in the joints. The fungus can be distinguished by its characteristic dark spots in small areas.

These areas can be painted over with an opaque felt-tip pen, but only purchase one with waterproof paint. Just cover problem areas with it. You can also help deal with contamination with joint renovation products available from your specialist store. And if the fungal deposits are more serious and the tile joints crumble during cleaning, then only an autopsy will help here. To do this, you can use, for example, a grinder or grinder.

Before starting work, completely empty the room, remove all furniture or cover with something, because there will be a lot of dust.

Carefully, so as not to spoil the tiles, cut off the grout layer. Then, wiping with a wet rag, we go through the grinder again to make deeper channels. The remaining debris that the grinding wheel does not cut can be removed with a piece of coarse sandpaper. After that, you need to treat the seams with a solvent, a primer and apply a new grouting paste.

Protection of grout joints

Craftsmen who lay tiles and, of course, grind the seams, do not like to talk about their protection. Meanwhile, on the building materials market, there are special fluids on sale that perform this function. The work of providing such protection is rather tedious and therefore they do not want to take on it, and if they do, then you are not immune from the poor quality of such work.

In this case, it is better to do everything yourself, and the point here is as follows. After the seams are completely dry, they must be carefully treated with a protective liquid with a brush. .

How to exclude chemical compounds

In order not to resort to the use of chemicals and to keep the tile joints in their original form, they must be washed periodically. Use a hard brush and warm water to wipe them once a month. Of course, this is not to everyone's liking, but later you will not need to resort to drastic measures, and the seams will remain snow-white for a long time.

Tile joints are the places most susceptible to various contamination. If you take care of them incorrectly, it is unlikely that the coating will last long, moreover, it will lose its original appearance and look untidy. Knowing how to properly clean the seams of floor tiles, you can successfully solve these everyday problems.

The need for cleansing

There is nothing difficult in cleaning the tiles, but cleaning the joints can take a lot of time if you have no idea what product is needed. The technique of performing such work is also important. But first, you need to determine the type of pollution.

Tiles are usually used to cover the floor of the kitchen, hallway, bathroom, it is not surprising that it can suffer from many external influences, such as:

• regular contact with water;
• dirt from street shoes;
• dust, including construction dust;
• small particles of food waste;
• construction garbage;
• aggressive detergents.

If you do not constantly clean the joints, mold and other pathogenic microorganisms can appear in these areas of the tile. Such intensive absorption of dirt, dust and grease is due to the porous texture of the grout, as a result its color darkens.

Operation and care

Before you get acquainted with the main effective means, you should know the general rules for the operation and maintenance of the tiled floor.

Ceramics, despite their strength, can be negatively affected, as a result of which its performance characteristics are reduced:

• it can be damaged by household detergents if they contain acids;
• to clean the floor, you should choose compounds specifically designed for tiles;
• protective emulsions are suitable for matte types, and then the surface is treated with wax mastic;
• glossy floors are vulnerable to any abrasive cleaners; they cannot be treated with hard brushes, especially metal brushes, as these tools leave noticeable scratches;
• for ceramics, cleaning powders based on sand or grease solvents must not be used.

There are different types of tile flooring and for almost each special household chemicals have been created, which should be used. Do not use aggressive formulations right away., sometimes it is enough to rinse the joints between the tiles with ordinary water using a brush to get the dirt off.

It is better not to buy funds with the presence of chalk - after such solutions, stains remain, which can be quite difficult to eliminate.

Use of household products

To clean the joints on the bathroom or kitchen floor, various household chemicals are used, sometimes not even intended for these purposes. According to professionals, in some cases, you can use detergents and bleaching materials, detergents for dishes, cleaning sinks.

Of course, the result depends on how darkened the seams are:

• For light soiling such as lime and grease, dish detergent is ideal Fairy, and Cilit... Powder can be used Pemolux: with a moistened brush with applied powder, the composition is applied for 10 minutes, and after that the joints are cleaned with water.

• Oxygen bleaches are considered more potent - Oxygen, Persol, Bose. They must be bred in equal proportions with water, applied to the seams and left for an hour. Oxygen breaks down the dirt, after which the coating is rinsed with water. These products are effective against stubborn dirt, grease and mold.

• If the grout is light or white, you can restore its color with preparations containing chlorine. Usually applied "Whiteness", "Santry", "Domestos". They act quickly - 4-5 minutes are enough to return the coating to its original appearance. After processing, wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth.

You should not use bleaching compounds when the grout is colored, moreover, it has a porous structure and intensively absorbs odors that do not fade for a long time.

Time-tested recipes include methods for cleaning seams using some pharmacy and improvised means:

• You can always clean clogged joints with regular baking soda and water, taken in a 3: 1 ratio. You will also need an old toothbrush and gloves.

• Greasy stains are removed with vinegar essence - first, soda is applied to the seams, and then sprinkled with vinegar. As the foam appears, it is wiped off along with the dirt. The method is suitable for tiles, but not recommended for marble tiles and limestone-based grout.
• Another effective remedy is hydrogen peroxide. You should take one glass of baking soda for a quarter of a bottle of peroxide. It is recommended to rub the resulting mass into the joints, and a little later to remove the dirt using a brush. This is a fairly strong compound that is not suitable for colored or dark grouting.

• After repairs, you can wash the tile joints, which leave traces of dust, primer or paint. In this case, you need an aggressive, powerful tool. For these purposes, ammonia, thinner or kerosene are used. These are effective solutions that help soften tough dirt and dissolve old grease. The funds can only be used in diluted form.
• For stubborn stains, a mechanical method of removal is used using a razor blade or a special scraper for cleaning. They must be used with care so as not to leave scratches on the tiles.

Other options

To renew dirty joint surfaces, it is possible to purchase a cleaning marker that contains a waterproof dye. It is suitable for lightening, cleansing, in addition, it has bactericidal and antiseptic properties that are fatal to various types of bacteria and fungus. It is safe for humans, and it is odorless and does not cause allergies.

The main advantages of the tool:

• resistance to moisture;
• fast result that lasts a long time;
• affordable cost.

The best brands of such products are Snowball, Edding 8200, inexpensive pencils are designed for all types of tiles and panels "Pufas" applied to the seams by hand with a brush, their remnants can be easily removed from the surface of the tile.

The melamine rubber sponge in combination with polymer components allows you to quickly and effectively remove stubborn dirt. The only drawback of this innovative product is its high price.

Drastic measures

When all else fails or dark spots appear on the grout over and over again, it means the material has been attacked by fungus. In such cases, one thing remains - to update the seams by removing the old layer. Antimicrobial highlighter pencils are the best choice for freshening up the appearance of the joints.

You can remove it by a mechanical method, with a hand tool (a spatula or a metal scraper) and disinfect by treating all joints with an antiseptic impregnation from the fungus. It is necessary to wait until the seams are dry, and then proceed to seal the cracks. Before starting the working process, so that the damaged material lends itself well to elimination, it is softened by walking over it with a solution of water and vinegar.

Deep penetration of fungus and black mold into the coating is dangerous to health, so in an emergency it makes sense to reposition the floor tiles.

Olga Nikitina

Reading time: 4 minutes

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Sooner or later, the seams between the tiles become dirty. This is caused by limescale deposits, moisture, grease droplets, soot, mold, poorly rinsed cleaners and detergents. But, nevertheless, the problem of cleaning tile joints can be solved!

General rules for the care of tile joints:

• You can use a store-bought product, such as a joint sealant. "Atlas Dolphin", this tool is used if the seams have not yet had time to get dirty, or with a deep cleaning agent - such as Ultrastripper. Besides popular "Sif", "Doctor Muscle", a well-proven viscous disinfectant for cleaning tiles and the joints between tiles BOZO.
• Mold detected in time in a small area is easy to eliminate special markers... The waterproof dye contained in them masks the affected areas of the tile joints.
• To clean tile seams without resorting to expensive cleaning agents, you can prepare a pasty mixture of bleach and baking soda... This option is suitable for those who have used a grout without color pigments. Otherwise, the bleach will neutralize the color. After mixing the components to a viscous mass, apply with a spatula to the joints of the tiles. Wait until the mixture dries, and rinse with water using a brush. The brush must be used not hard so that the bristles do not leave scratches on the tiles and do not spoil the tile joints. Alternatively, you can use whiteness and a washcloth. Do not forget about protective equipment - rubber gloves are a must. Chlorine-containing products are effective at the initial stage of the appearance of the fungus.
• Fungus caused by high humidity can be removed table vinegar... A tablespoon of vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of water softener, 2/3 cup warm water, and a tablespoon of ammonia is a good disinfectant.
• Professionals advise cleaning tile joints in an environmentally friendly way - with steam... The thick hot air destroys any kind of pollution. Experts use equipment that works on the principle of a steam cleaner. The structure of the grout is not disturbed, there are no smudges and streaks. After processing the seams with hot air, you need to wash off the dirt with warm water. At the end of the cleaning, it is recommended to treat the joints and tiles with disinfecting antifungal agents.
• Fine sandpaper helps to mechanically remove dirt and small fungus from tile joints. By cleaning off the outer layer of grout, dirt is also eliminated.
• Don't use soap to clean seams.... The detergent mixture, consisting of alkalis, promotes the spread of mold spores.

Homemade tile grout recipe:

Now I want to tell you how to make a tile joint bleach with your own hands.

• First you need to put on rubber gloves, because health comes first!
• Provide air access to the room.
• Then mix soda with water in a ratio of 1:14, i.e. for 1 glass of soda - 14 glasses of water, add 2/3 glass of lemon juice and half a glass of vinegar.
• When mixing soda with lemon juice or vinegar, a corresponding reaction occurs to form a foam. Therefore, this procedure must be done carefully and carefully.
• Mix the resulting solution and apply with a washcloth to the tile joints.
• After rinsing, do not rinse the grout from the joints for about 15 minutes.
• After the time has elapsed, rinse the surface with clean warm water.

Many who have used this recipe are happy with the result.