The Common Dishwashing Staple You Can Use To Clean Your Grout In A Pinch
Grout is common in a variety of spaces in your home — for instance, around the kitchen backsplash, between the squares in your mudroom, or surrounding the tile in your shower. Made from cement, sand, and water, grout serves a structural purpose by filling the gaps between tiles. It can also serve an aesthetic purpose by helping make your tiles pop. Nevertheless, having dirty grout in high traffic areas can detract from the aesthetic of your tile, creating a dirty or neglected look. Unfortunately, grout can be difficult to clean, too, due to its porous nature. It's likely to absorb layers of grime, mold, and mildew, leading to discoloration. Household cleaners and scrub brushes are effective for restoring some shine, but sometimes the porous surface requires a little more attention. If your grout has stubborn stains, consider scrubbing it with a dishwashing tab to help tackle these unsightly spots.
A dishwasher pod can be an effective tool for cleaning grout due to its powerful cleaning agents. They're designed to dissolve in water, releasing detergents and enzymes that work to cut through stains and grease. Since they're made to eliminate food and grease in the dishwasher, they can also help remove difficult debris from the porous surface of grout. Moreover, the solutions in the pod can also help to prevent mold and mildew from developing in the future, making for a long-lasting cleanliness and an aesthetically pleasing backdrop to your kitchen, shower, or entryway.
How to clean grout with dishwashing pods
If you're ready to clean your grout, grab a dishwasher pod from under your sink. Then grab a small bowl, some warm water, and a clean scrub brush. Fill the small bowl with warm water and place the dishwasher pod in it. Allow the pod to dissolve in the water. It may take a few minutes, but feel free to agitate it with the scrub brush to move the process along. Once your dishwasher pod has completely dissolved, use the brush or a long utensil to mix the solution together. Then dampen the brush in the dishwasher pod solution and use it directly on the grout lines to lightly scrub the porous surface to break down the dirt, stains, and grime. Once you've applied the solution over all of the grout, you can allow it to sit for a few minutes to help loosen the deep or stubborn stains. To resume, begin scrubbing gently again in circular motions and you should notice the dishwasher pod solution has brightened the grout lines, removing any dirty residue.
After scrubbing, rinse the grout with clean water and dry with a cloth or towel to wipe away any excess moisture. Allow the grout to dry completely before walking on it or placing items on the surface. Should you find that the grout still has stains or dirt, repeat the process again and try scrubbing more vigorously or letting it sit longer to loosen the discoloration.
Reasons to be cautious with this method
Using a dishwasher tab to clean the filth from the grout in your home is a great way to apply a simple and common household ingredient in a new way. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind before trying this method. Some dishwasher tabs could have particularly potent cleaning chemicals in them which may not be suitable for delicate tile materials like marble or natural stone. Check for specific instructions on how to clean these types of tiles or test the cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area before applying it everywhere to reduce the risk of discoloration or damage to your tiles.
When using cleaning products, especially those with harsh or potent chemicals, it's also important to keep your own health in mind. Wearing gloves protects your skin from coming in contact with these cleaners. You may also consider wearing a face mask to avoid breathing in any chemical fumes. Always make sure the room you're cleaning is well ventilated by opening a window or turning on a fan. The latter will also help the grout dry more quickly. Finally, it's crucial that you never mix the dishwasher tab with any other chemical cleaners, especially if it contains bleach. Mixing cleaning chemicals can lead to the creation of dangerous compounds that can be hazardous to inhale or handle. The dishwasher tabs are strong enough alone and don't require the addition of other cleaners.