Skip to main content

Spring Cleaning - - - Grout Cleaning

Once a year, I go to town on our house.  I do major cleaning this time of year, every year.  I don't do it all in one week.  I do it over the course of 4-5 weeks.  I am talking deep clean, every crack and crevice gets attention.

The past two weekends I have been focused on the 2 upstairs bathrooms.  Our master bath and the kids bath.  I have done a deep clean and scrub to the grout.   I deep clean and scrub both the floor grout and shower and bath grout.  The floor grout is something I only do once a year, the rest of the year its basic mopping.  But mopping doesn't get the deep down dirt.

We moved into this house about 2 1/2 years ago.  This house is older than me, we aren't going to talk about just how old that is....we'll just say north of 30.  So things aren't exactly what I would've chosen or pristine condition any more.  I love our older traditional home and we are making changes as we go.  But as anyone who has lived in something other than new construction...there are challenges.

I would definitely not choose white grout for a kids bathroom.  Although it can be bleached...its a lot of work to get clean and even more to keep it that way...but alas that it what we have.  So, I am working with what I have.

I have this Rubbermaid tool, it is like an industrial strength electric toothbrush.  My mother in law bought this for me, I am so glad because I use it all the time.  It has two brush heads.  One flat and one diamond shape for corners.  My next tricks is Soft Scrub with bleach.



First things first, this is not a short cut or quick trick.  This is a process and although the tool makes it easier it's not a magic wand.

Step 1:  Remove everything from the space and Vacuum
Step 2: Spread small amount on Softscrub on the grout and work it in with your tool.  I do this in small sections of the floor so I'm not getting cleaner on my clothes
Step 3: Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Step 4:  Dip tool in a bowl of water and work over the areas with the soft scrub
Step 5:  Wipe away excess
Step 6: Retreat any stubborn stains.
Step 7: Wipe area with wet paper towel
 Repeat to complete the entire floor
Step 8: Mop with plain water or stiffer to remove all remaining traces of cleaner

The picture below is in the kids bathroom. Same light, no filter.  I tried to take it in the exact spot.  I think my phone angle was a bit different, but you get the idea!  Dingy and gray to pure gleaming white!



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Motherhood

Motherhood has the unique ability to expose our deepest weaknesses as well as highlight personal substance you never knew was there. In the trenches of the days of no sleep, spit up covered shirts and endless dirty diapers you discover the deepest part of who you are. One thing I have learned in the last almost 10 years of motherhood, is that knowing who I am is vital to my success. As Americans, I see great fear in understanding one’s own weaknesses. I know the opposite to be true. I see strength in your own full self discovery. We see women that look a certain way and are wearing certain things and we think that we have to imitate that to establish our identity. I see women everyday who are stretched to the brink, trying to do it all. As mothers, it’s important to relay to our children that weaknesses are a part of who we are, we are not defined by those rather we are defined by our strengths. When we truly know who we are, we can feel more comfortable making choices t...

Valentines Snack Mix

This snack mix is so easy & versatile for any holiday or activity. This is a super kid pleaser. The variety I made is nut free, there is a peanut allergy in my daughters class.  I started with popcorn & pretzels as my base. I popped my popcorn on the stovetop, you could just as easily use pre-bagged popcorn (Smartpop) or microwave popcorn.  I used 8 cups of popcorn and 3 cups of pretzels. Mix in a large bowl. Next, melt your vanilla coating chocolate. Follow the melting instructions on the package.  I dyed mine pink for the occasion.  Once the coating candy is melted and the right color, pour it over your mix. Stir constantly until is all incorporated. Spread out on parchment or wax paper. I used valentines sprinkles next... this is optional... but too cute to pass up! Next, I did the chocolate covered pretzels. I used the remainder of the bag of pretzels.  Same process as before, but using chocolate. Sometimes this is referred t...

Tween Room Inspiration

Our oldest just turned 10, I just can’t believe it. But ten is big and she is beginning to grow out of toys and little girl stuff. She currently shares a room with her 7 year old little sister. They sleep in sweet little twin beds and we hear them whispers and playing after bed time. It has been good for them to share a room. I think it’s a wonderful learning experience for children to share a room. I have much older half siblings, so I basically grew up as an only child. Learning to live in a shared space is such an important lesson. Respecting people areas, cleaning up after yourself... these are all great lessons. Things that will serve her well in college. This particular child is fiercely independent and thrives and recharges on solo time. As the baby of the family approaches needing to be out of the crib we know a change is on the horizon. Our house has enough bedrooms  for everyone to have their own room, but some are upstairs  near our Master bedroom and some downs...