How can I clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom? How to remove grout from the joints: general recommendations from experts How to clean the joints between tiles in the kitchen

26.06.2020 Water heaters

After some time after the repair, the seams between the tiles acquire an untidy, dirty look. The appearance of mold and raids occurs due to dampness, exposure to steam and water. A warm and humid environment is an ideal place for fungus to thrive. And if you delay the process of cleaning the seams, then it will be more and more difficult to cope with this scourge. We will help you master the technique of cleaning the seams with the help of improvised tools and simple tools that you can do at home.

A folk way to prepare bleach to remove dirt from tile joints at home:
  1. In one and a half liters of water, you need to pour one hundred and fifty grams of soda, one hundred grams of a solution of citric acid and one hundred grams of vinegar.
  2. When you pour acid into a solution of soda, then add it slowly, otherwise you will get a violent reaction and the contents will splash out.
  3. All this must be thoroughly shaken to mix.
  4. You need to use such a solution carefully, before you start working with it, you need to open the windows for ventilation.
  5. It is recommended to work with rubber gloves, as the bleach is quite aggressive.
  6. Use a toothbrush or paintbrush to apply the solution to the seams.
  7. Let them stand for about fifteen minutes so that all the dirt dissolves, and then rinse with a damp cloth.
You can also clean the seams between the tiles with the help of other solutions:
  • Mix vinegar and water in equal proportions. The solution is sprayed onto the surface, which is cleaned with a stiff brush. Metal tools must not be used! The dirt is washed off with water, then the tile is again treated with the same solution. It remains only to dry the working area.
  • Take 100 ml of hydrogen peroxide to 200 ml of water. When processing in this way, it is not necessary to rinse the surface with clean water.


If plaque on the tile joints has just begun to appear, then it can be removed using household cleaning solutions - CIF, FAIRY, Domestos, WHITENESS or the like. Moisten the seams with the solution, let it stand for about fifteen minutes, and then rinse with water and wipe dry. If the dirt is not completely washed off the first time, repeat the treatment again. If you missed the moment and nothing can be done with cleaning solutions, then you can clean off the plaque with sandpaper. This process is quite labor intensive. The seams need to be dried with a hairdryer, since the dry surface is processed better with sandpaper and the dirt is not rubbed. When all seams are clean, brush them with a brush and remove dust. After processing, they will look much neater.


When using the above methods it is not possible to remove dirt from the grout, then most likely there is a fungus in the seams. In this case, follow these instructions:
  • To carry out the opening procedure, prepare a grinder or grinder.
  • Remove furniture from the room, if this is not possible, cover it with something to prevent dust from entering.
  • After that, it is necessary to cut off the grout layer.
  • Then wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove dust.
  • Make deeper channels with a grinder.
  • If the sanding wheel cannot handle some areas, use coarse sandpaper.
  • Apply thinner to the joints, primer, and then cover with a new grout paste.
Tile joints are well cleaned with a steam generator:
  1. Draw water into the tank of the device, following the instructions for using the steam generator.
  2. Turn on the device and wait for the water to reach the appropriate temperature. It should be close to 180 C.
  3. Work from the first corner. Brush over the surface, then move on until you reach the opposite wall.
  4. Then you need to turn around and process the next part of the floor.
  5. Proceed in this way until the entire surface is clean.
  6. After finishing work, turn off the steam cleaner, and wipe the tiles with a mop or cloth to remove residual dirt and water.


After cleaning the joints from dirt, measures should be taken to protect them from re-contamination. Now special liquids have appeared, covering the tile joints with which you protect them from the formation of plaque and pollution. This work requires accuracy, the substance is applied after the surface has dried, using a small paint brush. It is necessary to try so that the liquid does not fall on the tile, otherwise it should be removed immediately with a clean, dry cloth.


However, it is recommended to periodically wash the seams between the tiles (once a month) so that there is no need to clean them with a cardinal method. In addition, there is an alternative option - painting the seams using moisture-resistant water-based paint, which must be applied in several layers.

Dirt in the inter-tile space makes every housewife think about how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom. This is done with the involvement of various compositions. The editors of the site have prepared detailed instructions on how to clean hard-to-reach places correctly.

Read in the article

Why wash tile joints: every housewife should know this

Cleaning the seams between is dictated not only by aesthetic considerations. Timely removal of the resulting pollution will protect households from possible health problems. In the inter-tile space, optimal conditions are created for the reproduction of bacteria and the appearance of black mold. We suggest further learning how to clean the grout between the tiles in order to achieve a quality result.


Cleaning tile joints with household chemicals

Starting to clean the tile joints, you should decide on the appropriate composition. Manufacturers offer a fairly large range, among which it can be difficult to choose the right option.

Among the popular means for cleaning tile joints, it is worth highlighting:

  • BOZO. The composition is effective in the fight against limescale and rust. Disinfects the base and eliminates odor. On the packaging you can read how to clean the joints between the tiles on the floor to achieve the best effect;
  • "HG". Does not contain bleach, therefore suitable for cleaning surfaces of all colors;

HG Review


Read more on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_1903272.html
  • IVIclean «proTECt». Spray allows you to effectively cope with various contaminants;
  • ECO MIST. Contains natural ingredients. Effectively copes with the task.

Feedback on ECO MIST


Read more on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_2722781.html

To clean the tile joints as late as possible, pay attention to Atlas Dolphin. The tool allows you to protect the surface due to the formation of a dense impermeable film. It is applied immediately after cleaning the inter-tile space.

Feedback on the tool "Atlas Dolphin"


Read more on Otzovik: https://otzovik.com/review_5256730.html

How to wash the seams between the tiles in the bathroom: we resort to folk recipes

The use of household chemicals is fraught with certain difficulties: a suitable drug may not be available for sale, or its cost may be excessive for a particular family. In such a situation, when deciding how to wash the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, you should use improvised means. Often folk recipes are more effective than purchased drugs. We invite you to get to know them.


Cleaning the seams between tiles with baking soda

If we talk about how to clean the seams between, you should immediately pay attention to soda. This substance has a good disinfectant property and will help to cope with various contaminants at home. It is enough to add a little water and clean the dirt with the resulting paste.


Cleaning tile joints with ammonia

If you want to not only clean the tile joints, but also add shine to the tiles, you should pay attention to ammonia. This substance will quickly cope with the task. Now about how to whiten the seams between the tiles in the bathroom:

  • prepare a solution by mixing with 2 liters of water st. l. ammonia;
  • spray on the surface to be cleaned using a spray gun;
  • waiting 20 minutes;
  • wipe the walls with a damp cloth.

How to wash the seams between the tiles in the bathroom with bleach

If you don’t have the necessary household chemicals at hand, consider how to wash the seams between the tiles in the bathroom with oxygen bleach. It should be diluted with water in equal proportions, and then spread over the entire surface with a sponge. Holding time - 1.5 hours. Remains of dirt can be removed with a hard sponge.

How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom from the combined products

If the listed options turned out to be ineffective, when deciding how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, you should pay attention to the combined compositions. Sufficiently effective is a paste consisting of a powder containing bleach and soda. Such a composition cleans the surface well and disinfects. Apply to the contaminated area, wait for it to dry completely, and then wash off.


Attention! A similar composition should not be used to disinfect colored surfaces.


A solution of vinegar, baking soda, and citric acid will also remove mold.

Steam cleaning tiles

If the use of aggressive substances is impossible, and the question of how to clean the tile joints is relevant. Worth paying attention to. Such a device is not only capable of creating a jet of steam and releasing it under a sufficiently high pressure.

As a result, the dirt is first softened and then knocked out of the inter-tile space. A sufficiently high temperature (150-170 ° C) allows you to cope with pathogenic bacteria and fungus. For allergy sufferers, the question of how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom is not worth it. For them, a steam generator is the only effective tool that they can use in their apartment.

Attention! When using steam, all safety precautions must be observed.


Mechanical cleaning of tile joints

If the dirt did not have time to penetrate deep enough, you can resort to cleaning the seams of the tile by mechanical action. This will require paper containing an abrasive. With its help, it will be necessary to process all the joints. After treatment, the entire surface is simply washed with water. Instead of sandpaper, a hard sponge is sometimes used.

Attention! If you decide to resort to mechanical cleaning, you should work very carefully so as not to damage the lining.


How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom with special coloring compounds

If it is not possible to completely remove the dirt, they can simply be painted over. For this, a composition with suitable characteristics and the desired color is selected. The most popular are:

  • Edding 8200, has the shape of a marker with a tip 2-4 mm thick. Allows you to paint over the white base;

  • Pufas Frische Fuge Set. Coloring composition with low durability and cost. Available in white, but can be tinted;
  • Fuga Fresca. A wide range of colors is available.

A once-beautiful renovation in the bathroom can immediately deteriorate due to the appearance of a fungus at the joints of the tiles and the bathtub. Unfortunately, the constant presence of moisture in this room only contributes to the formation of mold and mildew. Eliminating this problem is quite difficult, but possible. Below it is worth considering how to remove dirt between tiles in the bathroom with folk methods.

How to clean the grout between the bathroom and the tiles

Dark spots between ceramic tiles are formed due to the appearance of fungus. Despite the practicality of the material, it is almost impossible to avoid contamination of the seams. In order to clean all the dirt in the seams, there are several proven and effective means.

It is worth listing them:

  • soda;
  • acetic acid;
  • "White";
  • sandpaper;
  • purchased detergents for cleaning plumbing;
  • water-based paint;
  • hydrogen peroxide;
  • other means.

It should be noted that the choice of cleaning method in general depends on how much the fungus has spread. If several black or gray dots have been noticed in the seams, then less aggressive cleaners can be used. In the case of a severe lesion, when the fungus has already deeply ingrained into the grout, more drastic measures can be taken.

Soda is the main remedy for fighting fungus

Baking soda is a good antiseptic. Baking soda has a detrimental effect on the fungus, at an early stage of its development, that is, as soon as it appears. It is also recommended to use baking soda to regularly clean the spaces between tiles.

The procedure for cleaning with soda is as follows:

  1. You need to take 1 or 2 packs of baking soda.
  2. Before processing, it is advisable to moisten the grout with water.
  3. For processing use a brush or sponge.
  4. Soda powder should be carefully processed or plentifully covered with all seams.
  5. With a slightly damp soda, you need to clean all the seams with a brush.
  6. Then everything is left for 10-15 minutes, after which it is washed off with water.

Related article: How to remove creaking floors using various methods

Important! If spots remain after treatment with soda, this means that the fungus has already more deeply ingrained into the porous structure of the grout. In this case, other cleaning agents must be used.

How to clean grout spots with vinegar

This can be done with vinegar. It kills fungus and mold.
Cleaning method:

  • Water and vinegar (9%) must be mixed in equal proportions.
  • Next, using a stiff brush, moisten all the seams with a solution. Also, the composition can initially be sprayed with a spray gun.
  • After waiting 5 minutes, it is necessary to brush the contaminated places with a brush and rinse well with water.

Vinegar is also included in another remedy for removing fungus and mold on tile joints:

  • For work you will need: a convenient container, 1.5 liters of warm water, 150 grams of baking soda, 0.5 cups of table vinegar (7-9%), 25 grams of citric acid, a sponge or a small brush, gloves.
  • First of all, soda dissolves in water, then you should carefully pour citric and acetic acids into the liquid. When mixed, acid with soda gives a reaction, so the solution should be prepared gradually.
  • With the prepared solution, use a brush to wipe all the seams and leave for 15 minutes.
  • After 15 minutes, the treatment should be repeated and left for the same time. Then everything should be washed off with warm water.

This method copes very well even with deep pollution, however, it is not recommended to carry out such cleaning regularly, as acids can destroy the structure of the grout.

Important! The remains of the solution in concentrated form cannot be washed off into the general sewerage drain; it is advisable to dilute the mixture with water in proportions of 1: 3 before draining. A concentrated solution can corrode thin rubber liners of communications.

"Whiteness" for cleansing the inter-tile space

It should be noted that "Whiteness" is only suitable for white grout. If you use it for colored grout, it is possible that the colored pigment will be removed, and then stains will form.
"Whiteness" contains chlorine, it kills fungus and various harmful bacteria. How to clean with this product:

  • With the help of a paint brush or brush, “Whiteness” is applied to the places of grouting and left for 5-10 minutes.
  • Everything must be washed off with clean water. It may be necessary to wash the surface with water several times to remove the smell of chlorine and any remaining dirt.

Related article: How to make a rack ceiling

Detergent for grout cleaning

There is a large selection of cleaning products for bathtubs, toilet bowls and other ceramic surfaces in stores. The composition of such products, as a rule, includes oxalic acid, it eliminates all types of bacteria, as well as fungus and mold.
Processing way:

  • First you need to moisten the space between the ceramic tiles with water using a sponge.
  • All seams should be wiped with detergent, a paint brush or toothbrush is suitable for this.
  • You need to keep the product no more than 5-7 minutes.
  • Further, everything must be thoroughly rinsed with clean water, it is advisable to remove all remnants of the cleaning agent from the surface of the tile.

Important! When working with products that contain acids, alkalis, chlorine, it is imperative to wear rubber gloves, if possible, also a mask and goggles.

When is it best to use sandpaper?

If the fungus cannot be completely removed during cleaning, but only a few spots remain, then you can use sandpaper. This method should be used if you see that the fungus has not yet managed to penetrate deeply into the grout, but has formed only on the surface layer. Sandpaper is taken with fine abrasive and gently erase the top layer of grout, where it remains flexible.

How to clean the seams between the tiles and the bathroom: hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is also a good antiseptic. The peroxide solution does not need to be washed off, thanks to which the fungus will not be able to spread further. Stubborn stains cannot be removed in this way, but the newly formed fungus will die immediately.

For processing, you need to prepare a solution - peroxide and water are mixed in a ratio of one to two. The finished solution needs to process all the seams and allow time to dry, nothing needs to be washed off.

Water based paint

If the dirt cannot be completely removed, you can use waterproof water-based paint. You need to select its color one or two tones darker than the grout itself. Before staining, you can moisten the seams with an antifungal agent a day before (sold at any hardware store). Paint should be applied in 2-3 layers.

Surely, each of us sometimes became a witness of how, after laying the tiles, the seams between it begin to gradually become dirty. The reason is not only the accumulation of dust, but also the increased humidity of the room. As a result, dangerous fungus and mold appear on the seams. This not only spoils the aesthetic appearance of the bathroom, but, worst of all, it has a very negative effect on human health. That is why today we will talk about how to clean your bathroom, and what tools are suitable for this purpose. We will reveal to you a few secrets for removing fungus on tile joints that will allow you to do it at home.

What are the types of grout?

There are three main types of grout for joints between tiles:

  • Portland cement;
  • epoxy resin;
  • furan resin.

Irregular cleaning of tile joints leads to the development of fungus and bacteria

The first one is the most popular. It contains color pigments, cement and a moisture-retaining mixture. It is quite easy to overwrite and carry out processing with a variety of finishes.

Unfortunately, none of these types of grout can guarantee the absence of fungus.

How can I clean tile joints with household chemicals?

As soon as you notice the appearance of mold or fungus on the seams of the tiles, do not delay, immediately start cleaning them. The longer they are there, the deeper they will eat into the solution and, as a result, are more difficult to remove.

Many people resort to the use of various household chemicals to clean the seams. The least toxic and most tested of all is oxygen bleach.

If you want to use chemicals, purchase special compounds in the store to remove dirt and fungus

It is mixed with water (1:1), and then, sprayed or wiped all contaminated seams. Depending on the degree of soiling, bleach should be left on the seams for 30-60 minutes. Oxygen ions penetrate deep into the solution, breaking down dirt and fungus into molecules. Next, it remains only to scrape off the dirt from the seams and wipe the surface dry.

You can also use whiteness or other cleaning products that are sold in many household chemical stores for cleaning.

Advice. Handle chemicals very carefully. Use hand gloves for their use and rinse thoroughly from the seams with water after processing.

To disinfect mold, you can use a special felt-tip pen. It simply perfectly destroys bacteria dangerous to our body and perfectly masks the seams.

How easy is it to clean the seams with folk remedies?

Now we will tell you about how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, using exclusively folk remedies for this.


Attention! Never use soapy solutions to disinfect the fungus, as they can only aggravate the situation.

Seam cleaning with steam

You ask how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom with ordinary steam? Yes, very easy!

Using a steam cleaner for this purpose is one of the most effective methods. Under the influence of high temperatures and water vapor pressure, all the dirt from the seams is instantly brought out. You just have to wipe it off the already cleaned surface. It is also worth noting that this is the most environmentally friendly and safe way.

Using a steam cleaner

We remove dirt from the seams between the tiles mechanically

If you turned your attention to the problem in time, and the dirt has not yet penetrated deep into the surface, then you can use the usual mechanical cleaning of the seams.

With sandpaper, very carefully and slowly clean all the seams between the tiles. Be careful not to scratch the surface of the tile and ruin its beautiful appearance. You just have to wash the dirt from the surface well with water. This is a relatively fast method, as well as environmentally friendly and safe for health.

Dirt can be removed with a hard sponge.

If the moment has long been missed, dirt and mold have strongly eaten into the seams, and all of the above methods do not bring results, then it remains only to change the grout between the tiles.

Do not start polluting the tile joints, clean them in a timely manner and periodically make sure that no harmful fungus begins to multiply on the surface. Use any of the above methods to remove dirt from the seams so that your bathroom always shines with cleanliness and freshness.

How to easily clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom: video

Cleaning the joints between tiles: photo



If you do not wash the walls and floors after every bath or shower, sooner or later the joints between the tiles will become dirty. Moisture, dust, lime deposits linger there, and sometimes a fungus settles. Want to know how to clean bathroom grout lines effortlessly and keep them clean for a long time? I will tell my secrets.

home methods

I'll start with tips for economical housewives who do not want to spend money on expensive "chemistry". Although the rejection of it may be due to other reasons. For example, with allergies or a desire to use only environmentally friendly cleaning methods.


Ways to clean the seams in the bathroom depend on the degree of contamination and the presence of fungus. Here are the most popular homemade recipes.

Recipe 1 - whiteness and soda paste

This is an excellent tool for fighting mold, which not only cleans and disinfects, but also whitens the seams. But not suitable for colored seams.

Remember to take safety measures: put on rubber gloves on your hands and a gauze bandage on your face.

Instead of whiteness, you can take any liquid chlorine bleach and mix it with enough baking soda to make a thick, viscous mass. Apply it with a spatula and leave to act until dry.


Then rinse with water using a brush, washcloth or the hard side of a dish sponge. The main thing is that the tool does not scratch the surface of the tile.

Recipe 2 - a solution of vinegar, soda and citric acid


A mixture of water, vinegar, citric acid and soda also helps to clean the seams between the tiles from dirt and fungus. This is perhaps the most popular recipe for many housewives. For light dirt, undiluted 6% vinegar will help to cope. It must be poured into a spray bottle, treated with tiles, and washed off after 10 minutes.

Recipe 3 - ammonia solution

If you don't know how to clean limescale and restore shine to bathroom tiles, use this recipe:

  • Add a tablespoon of ammonia to two liters of water, mix;
  • Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray it from a short distance onto the contaminated surface;
  • Wait 10-15 minutes;
  • Wipe with a damp sponge and then dry with a soft cloth.

Recipe 4 - hot steam

The ideal way to clean without using any cleaning products at all is to use a steam cleaner. It not only generates hot steam, but also delivers it under high pressure.


A powerful jet softens and literally knocks out any dirt from the tile joints. And exposure to high temperatures, reaching 150-170 degrees, kills mold and fungus.

But the best part is that during cleaning you do not have to come into contact with aggressive substances and breathe their fumes. The only safety precaution is to keep your hand or foot away from the hot jet.

As you can see, all the described methods really do not require much effort from you: you don’t have to rub and scrape the seams with your own hands for a long time. But their effectiveness is often insufficient.

professional tools

If you have no prejudice to the use of household chemicals, it is not at all necessary to do home alchemy and prepare a cleaning agent from improvised ingredients. There are many effective formulations on the market. They not only clean complex contaminants, but also disinfect surfaces and protect them from plaque and mold in the future.

Here are the most popular ones:

Image List of effective remedies

"Atlas Dolphin" is a ready-to-use emulsion for joint protection. It does not clean, but penetrates into the pores of the grout and forms a film impervious to dirt and bacteria on the surface.

Apply it either immediately after installing the tiles and hardening the grout, or after cleaning the joints. With this protection, bathroom maintenance will be quick and easy.

The main thing - do not dilute the emulsion and do not mix it with other agents.

BOZO- a viscous concentrated liquid that removes lime deposits and rust, disinfects the seams, eliminates unpleasant odors.

Before cleaning the tiles in the bathroom, it must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 4. Fungus and dirt that has eaten into the seams are best treated with undiluted concentrate.

"Mellerud"- a special tool for the care of tiles in bathrooms. Easily removes soap residue, dried water stains, other visible and invisible dirt, while refreshing the color of tiles and grouts.

If you need to deal with old dirt, it can be used in its pure form. The product is applied with a sponge, and after a few minutes it is washed off with water.


« HG"- unlike the previous product, it is designed specifically for cleaning seams.

It does not contain bleach, so it can also be used for colored seams without the risk of discoloration.

Whitening pencil "Snowball"- destroys fungi and bacteria, restores the whiteness of the seams.

To do this, it is enough just to draw lines for them along all the joints. But it is effective only if the mold did not have time to penetrate deep into the cement mortar.

Melamine sponge. This is also a kind of cleaning substance, not a cleaning tool. It works like an eraser, erasing dirt and at the same time quickly erasing itself.

But the price of such a sponge is very low, so you can not save. All that is needed is to moisten it with water and rub the seams.

All these remedies work much more effectively than home remedies. What can be considered a plus. The disadvantages will have to include the insecurity of most drugs: you can work with them only with gloves and a mask, ensuring a good flow of air into the room.

Although whiteness can not be attributed to the category of harmless liquids. Therefore, it is up to you to decide how to wash the tiles in the bathroom.

What to do with deep-seated mold

All the described methods and means cope only with household dirt and recently appeared mold. If the fungus has penetrated deep into the structure of the grout, their use will not work. Here we need drastic measures.


It is best to completely remove the tile, clean and disinfect the substrate, and install a new floor. But this is not always possible, there may not be money or time for major repairs.

However, you can’t leave the fungus - mold spores are very dangerous to health. In this case, you will have to completely clean the seams between the tiles, removing all the grout.

It is tedious, dirty, hard, but necessary work. It can be performed using a special hand or electric tool:


Before starting work, the seams must be moistened with water acidified with vinegar. to soften the grout.

After its complete removal, all joints must be thoroughly washed, treated with antifungal drugs and dried. Then rub again.

Conclusion

Summarizing all that has been said, we can draw the following conclusion: tile joints are easier to keep clean than trying to clean them from old dirt and fungus colonies. Now you know not only several ways to wash them, but also how not to start them again. To do this, it is enough to treat clean and dry seams with a protective agent that will not allow dirt and fungal spores to penetrate into the grout.

I would be glad if, after reading this material and watching the video in this article, you leave your comment, talking about your methods of caring for tiles.