Home Connections

In order to understand how grout can get so dirty, you need to understand a little more about what grout is. Grout is a mixture of water, cement, and sand. Because of these components, grout texture is porous and absorbent. When the grout gets wet, it can absorb the water that sits on top of it along with any dirt that was in that water or sitting on the grout when it got wet. Dust gets pulled down into the grout and then it cannot escape.

The texture of grout also poses a problem when it comes to cleaning. If you use industrial grout cleaning chemicals that are harsh enough, you can actually erode the grout away. In addition, a hard bristled brush can sand down the grout slowly eating it away. Because of the characteristics of grout and the grout texture, it is very important to use the right tools when cleaning. A medium bristled brush is ideal because it is hard enough to do some real scrubbing without destroying any of the grout. You may be tempted to use a hard metal bristled brush because you think you will have more scrubbing power, but that course of action will end up chewing up the grout.

Another helpful hint when it comes to protecting your grout and its absorbent nature is to use grout sealant. Sealant creates a barrier between eh grout and the things that are exposed to it like water and dust. If your grout is properly sealed, it can go much longer before experiencing problems with mold, mildew, and grime. There are actually two different kinds of grout sealant. Topical sealer is just a layer on top of the grout and will fade away over time. Penetrating sealants chemically adhere to the grout particles and protect from within. They are harder to wear off and are used in environments that are regularly wet like a shower or bathtub.

Tags: grout cleaning, grout cleaning tips, grout texture, industrial grout cleaning chemicals, professional grout cleaning