How to clean the seams between floor tiles

Ceramic tiles are very often used for covering various surfaces, including floors. Attractive appearance and excellent performance characteristics, durability - all this makes tile the best material for cladding. During operation, dirt forms on the tiles and in the seams between the elements, which is incredibly difficult to deal with. Let's look at the main effective methods for removing dirt between tile seams. 

Methods for cleaning between tile joints 

If we are talking about light grease stains or stains from detergents, limescale can be removed using ordinary detergents, for example, CIF, Silit, Fairy. If mold or mildew appears, it would be better to use products that contain chlorine. They are extremely easy to use. Apply the product to the seams and leave for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water.  

REFERENCE. In supermarkets you can find special products that were designed to clean the joints between tiles. Among such products it is worth noting the following: BOZO, Ultra-Stripper, Sif and the like. 

Another effective method for combating pollution is a melamine sponge. Its use is completely justified. 

Doing the dirty work with our hands 

This method is simple and effective, but it is also very labor-intensive. Depending on how severe the contamination, you can use it in the following cases: 

• For minor contamination. These are abrasive cleaners and pastes. 
• For more complex stains, you can use fine sandpaper, or a kitchen scraper will also work. 
• A semicircular chisel with a small diameter can also be an excellent assistant in the fight against contamination. 

IMPORTANT. When cleaning, be careful not to damage the tiles or completely remove the grout between the seams. Otherwise you will have to apply it again.

Household chemicals 

Modern manufacturers offer a very diverse range of professional chemicals for cleaning complex stains. Recommendations for choosing household chemicals: 

• To clean bathroom tiles, it is better to choose bleach and chlorine-containing products. With their help, you can cope with the fungus. 
• When cleaning the kitchen, it is better to give preference to Christmas tree preparations. 

Using a Steam Cleaner 

Steam generators are real assistants for modern housewives. They supply high pressure steam. When using it, you can easily wash away difficult stains between the tiles, and you will also be sure that all bacteria and fungus will be removed.

Traditional methods

Chemicals are, of course, good, but many people prefer to trust traditional cleaning methods. Over the decades, our mothers and grandmothers have experimented with different cleaning products and we can highlight a few of the most effective ones. 

Effervescent mixture. Use lemon juice, baking soda and vinegar.

• Pour 1.5 liters of water at room temperature into a bowl.  
• Add the juice of half a lemon, half a glass of baking soda and a quarter glass of 9% vinegar. 

IMPORTANT. Stir the mixture carefully, because as a result of the chemical reaction you will get a very active mixture that quickly turns into foam. 

• Next, rub the product into the contaminated areas. Use a foam sponge or an old toothbrush. 
• After 20 minutes, you can wash the surface with clean water. 

IMPORTANT. Don't forget to protect your hands.

Bleach + baking soda. This option can only be used on white grout. Work with rubber gloves and also use a gauze bandage, as the composition contains chlorine. 

• In a bowl, mix bleach and baking soda, stir until they form a paste-like consistency.  
• Using a spatula, apply the resulting product to the seams. Leave until completely dry. Rinse off with clean water. 

This is an excellent solution for combating mold if it is necessary to lighten the seams. 

Each of these methods is effective, and you can see this for yourself by trying one of them when cleaning the joints between the tiles that are located on the floor. 

Radical methods

If fungus and mold are firmly embedded in the grout between the seams, you have to choose one of the following options: 

• Completely knock down all the tiles, treat the base with special anti-fungal compounds and re-lay new, clean tiles. It's expensive and troublesome. 
• Remove grout from seams. Treat with special agents against fungus and mold. Apply new grout. 

Both of these options are radical, but there is no other way to get rid of the fungus that has spread.