Okay. Let’s see if the blogging gods are on my side this week, and I can actually get a Show and Share Day out! Fingers crossed that this works!
I had a LOT of questions about my super secret grout cleaning system. I’m embarrassed to say it’s nothing fancy, but it works brilliantly. I use
I mix some bleach with hot water, and I dive right in. You might need to keep in mind that I don’t have 3,000 square feet of tile. I’m sure there’s a better system for miles of it, but this works for the rooms I have to deal with. I also know that some people run screaming from bleach, but I’ve found nothing that works as well. That’s not exactly true. I use this, too.
So there you have it! My “so secret and successful I should have written an e-book about it” cleaning tip. You were expecting more, weren’t you? That’s all I’ve got except for SAS Day! Let’s link up, shall we?
Vivienne @ The V Spot says
Sometimes there is just no better remedy than the stuff that’s tried and true. Thanks for the reminder. (And for hosting the party.) 🙂
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
First off, thanks for the par-tay!
Secondly, okay that is seriously the best cleaning tip. I NEVER would have thought of that. The funny thing though is that I use the bleach pin in our showers for the grout, but it never occurred to me to use it on the floor. Dur! Off to clean the grout now…
Bec says
Thank you so much for the party! 🙂
Love your blog!
~Bec
Kristin says
Wow I can’t believe how well the bleach worked!! My bathroom tile looks exactly the same (just add in the fact that my three year old often misses) and wow I’m so running out to buy a bottle of bleach and a brush!!!
Thanks for hosting…I linked up my master bedroom reveal!
Laura says
I’ve been thinking of doing this to my floors for a while now. The previous owners of our home put in the tile, but I think when they mixed the grout they didn’t do it evenly or something, so some places it looks great, and others not so much (it’s a tannish colored grout). I’m going to try this in one of my bathrooms soooon, and if it works great I’m making my way to the kitchen. Thanks for the visual of your floor!
Krista@TheGatheringPlaceDesign says
Wow, your tile grout look great! I have a ton of tile and my grout looks so ick. I am afraid that might take me days…but it would be so nice to have it look clean and fresh again!
Thanks for hosting:)
Alexis says
That is what I use too! Now you have reminded me I need to clean the grout tomorrow…
So glad Show and Share is back…I’ve missed you 🙂
Rebecca@This Present Life says
Thanks for hosting another great party! Have a great weekend 🙂
Nicole says
I love the clean tiles! I have tile countertops and used a toothbrush and bleach water! It works great with elbow grease and loud music!!
Veronica says
Thanks for hosting! I should do that to with the grout!!
gin says
Tile grout is the bane of my existence; I’ll have to try this but when my baby is asleep; at times he has a penchant for licking the floor (cute little weirdo). Thanks for hosting the link up!
Wendy says
So excited to be linking up here! Thanks for hosting!
Also, I enjoyed your review of the Eureka steamer yesterday. I’m hoping that if I get one I will actually start mopping my floors again! It seems much easier than dragging out the mop & bucket when my kids spill stuff (which happens about 65 times a day!).
Emily @ LaForce Be With You says
Thanks for bringing the party back… I have missed it!!
Cheryl@Sew Can Do says
Sometimes the simple answer is the best one. I’ve tried loads of stuff, but as much as I hate using bleach, it does the job in the bathroom. Now if I can just squeak out a little time without the kids around to do this & de-gross our bathrooms!
Wendy @ Ramblings from the Sunshine State says
Thanks for hosting!
Carol@easytobeglutenfree says
Great post. I just cleaned some grout last week using bleach. I love my bleach but I have a friend who is scared of it. I am still trying to convince her otherwise.
Kelli says
It is amazing what a little bleach can do. We bought some outdoor strength bleach last weekend and it worked wonders on all the white stuff in our backyard!
Deneen says
Bleach always does the trick! Thanks for the tip!
Ami w/AliLilly says
um….I LOVE bleach!! It cleans EVERYTHING!! Well…almost everything!
Thanks for hosting! 🙂
OH!! Did you see! I made my very own tp art!! I linked back to you too! 🙂
http://alililly.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-summer-mantel.html
Jennifer says
The question I have is how do you not bleach yourself in the process?? Wouldn’t you need to be in like all white or something?? I always get bleach on myself.
Chris says
Good point, Jennifer! I just wear my lounge pants. They’ve got so much paint and stains on them that it doesn’t matter if I get a little bleach on them!
Ashlee says
For those opposed to bleach, try Purple Power. We have to buy ours at auto parts stores but it is the best cleaner ever!!! We tried outdoor bleach on our nasty looking gutters and we had to do the same area several times before it came semi-clean. We we able to spray the Purple Power and let it set for about a minute and the gutters sparkled like they were brand new! I was so impressed that I decided to try it on our tile. It worked wonderfully! Now, we use it for everything! I do reccomend wearing gloves when you use it because it does dry out your hands but other than that it is fantastic!
Becca says
I wanted to send a little warning! I used the bleach pen on my grout- then cleaned it up. Well that stuff is potent- a week or two later the floor was wet when we were washing our dogs- the towels we were using were on the floor…long story short, they now have bleach stains all over them. Just make sure you get it all up from the grout!! Save the towels!! lol
Becca
http://gardenberger.blogspot.com/
Delle says
Thanks for the party! I’m new to the blogging world and JaG and I couldn’t find your button to put on my blog to link back to you.
Amanda says
As much as I don’t like it, bleach certainly has its uses! Thanks for hosting another great linky!
Hollie says
Thank you again for hostessing!
Heather says
Oh, grout… I cleaned mine a couple of weeks ago. I used baking soda and peroxide and a skinny scrub brush and it took me no less than 7 hours. *weep*
Sharyn says
Thanks for hosting – my first time here too!
lynn says
We have the same tile/grout. Ugh…I hate it! Since you have spent that much time on your grout, make sure you reseal or you’ll be doing it all over in no time. Also, you can paint grout. You can buy paint designed for grout at tile stores, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. Makes me want to get busy on my own grout!
Adena says
I love the way the grout looks but honestly, I have a 2400 sq ft home and the ENTIRE house is white tile and uh, not so white grout. It would take me FOREVER to get clean grout and would drive me crazy if one room was different than another. So if I tackled this project, it would be possible that no one would ever hear from me again. I might add just bleach to my scubbing machine I have and try that.
Carolyn says
I hate to use bleach because it is sooooo bad for us and our environment, but, like you Chris, I’m obsessed with my grout not being dirty. I have a dog that likes to use my tile floor and grout as his urinal and bleach is the only thing I’ve found that gets the discoloration and the smell out. I use Clorox Clean-Up in the spray bottle and a grout brush.
And, I’m so glad to read your post about the steam mop. I have been doing some research online and had come to the deduction that the Eureka EnviroSteamer was the best. You confirmed my choice! Now if I could only find it in a store! I guess I will have to order it online!
Just came across your blog tonight and have been reading it for two hours! Love it!
Thanks for your (funny) thoughts!
Carolyn
Indiana
Chris says
That’s great, Carolyn! I’m glad you found me and enjoyed your stay here! Nice “meeting” you!