Tiles are a popular wall and floor covering for heavily used rooms, such as bathrooms or kitchens. They are durable and are usually easy to clean. But things look completely different with the tile joints. Dirt and mold accumulate in the gaps and deprive the tiles of their beautiful appearance. But how can the tile joints be cleaned? In addition to special cleaners, there are also some home remedies that can work wonders. You can find some practical household tips for cleaning the joints in the article.
Dirty joints not only look unsightly, but can also be harmful to your health. Deposits constantly form, especially in the bathroom, which provide the perfect breeding ground for various bacteria and fungi. Mold is also a common problem that you have to deal with at the first sign. In the worst case, if the infestation gets out of hand, the joints will have to be completely replaced. To avoid this, you should clean the tile joints regularly.
Practical tips for easy cleaning of tile joints
To save yourself from having to do twice the work, you canCleaning the tilesclean the joints at the same time. Most tile cleaning products are also suitable for tile joints if they are not too dirty. However, when cleaning, you should pay a little more attention to the gaps with the sponge. However, you should note that cleaners containing abrasive cleaners are rather unsuitable for the joints. The small particles in them can make the joints crumbly, making them more vulnerable to water penetration.
Before cleaning the joints, you should first determine the type of dirt. Are the tile gapsaffected by mold, then you must first remove it with a special mold cleaner.
The easiest way to get the joints in the bathroom and kitchen clean again is to use a special cleaning agent for joints and tiles. Most cleaners also contain degreasers that can remove even the most stubborn grease stains from tiles.
The usual cleaning sponges have difficulty getting to the heavily soiled joints and therefore do not remove all contamination. At this point, the toothbrush is a particularly practical tool that can help. The toothbrush's fine bristles are perfect for hard-to-reach corners and allow dirt to be completely rubbed off. Alternatively, you can also use a dish brush. This way you can also save money on other cleaning supplies.
Clean with home remedies
If you prefer to avoid expensive special cleaners, you can use sometried and tested household cleaning productstry the joints. They can be found in almost every household and are significantly cheaper than the special cleaning products for bathrooms and kitchens.
baking powder
The raising agent baking powder is not only used in baking, but is also considered a practical cleaning agent in the household. Mix the white powder with a little water until a thick paste is formed. Then apply the paste to yellowed or gray tile joints and leave to act for about 30-40 minutes. Then wipe the joints with a damp cloth.
toothpaste
It's not just the toothbrush that can be used for household cleaning. Toothpastes usually contain soluble substances that can remove contaminants from the tile joints. The toothpaste also smells good, which is a great side effect. Simply apply some toothpaste to the dirty grout lines using your toothbrush and leave it on for about an hour. Then simply wipe with the cleaning cloth.
Baking soda
Just like baking powder, baking soda is also great for household cleaning. You can also clean the joints with baking soda if you mix 3 tablespoons of the miracle cure with 1 tablespoon of water and for better results - with 1 teaspoon of vinegar essence to form a paste and apply it generously to the tile joints. The baking soda acts like a gentle scouring milk that leaves no scratches. It also has a brightening effect, thanks to which you can make yellowed joints white again.
nail polish remover
Nail polish remover can do much more than just clean your fingernails. This can also be used to remove stains from various surfaces and clean tile joints. If it's not too dirty, put some nail polish remover on a cotton swab and use it to scrub the joints to get them clean again.
Mud chalk
Grandma's home remedies also include chalk, which has been used in the household for years. This allows you to repair your gray jointsbecome sparkling white again. Simply put some chalk on a damp cleaning brush and use it to clean the tile joints. Finally, rinse with water and let dry.
Tip: We recommend that you use home remedies carefully. It is better to avoid using it too frequently and only try it on a small area first when cleaning with an untested product. This means there is no waste.
With the steam cleaner
A steam cleaner is a little more expensive to buy, but it can work wonders in the household. If you already have such a device at home, then it is perfect for cleaning the tile joints. The 150 to 300 degree steam penetrates deep into the joints and not only removes dirt, but also kills bacteria.
Since no chemical cleaning agents are used when cleaning with a steam cleaner, this device proves to be very environmentally friendly. This means that not only the tile joints can be cleaned, but the entire floor or wall.
What to do with silicone joints?
Silicone joints are a special case and cannot be cleaned like other tile joints. Deeply embedded dirt is very difficult to remove from the silicone joint. That's why the experts recommend simply replacing heavily soiled silicone joints with fresh silicone. If you still want to try to clean the joints first, you can try using home remedies such as vinegar or baking soda. It's also worth trying a steam cleaner, especially if you first brush the joints with a little vinegar essence.
