Granite/Marble

To clean your grout, you will need oxygen bleach, water, a bucket, and a strong scrub brush. You can find powdered oxygen bleach at most food, mass, or home improvement stores.  Oxygen bleach kills bacteria and brightens white surfaces without the harsh toxic chemicals of traditional chlorine bleach. Read the label on the back of the product to understand any safety precautions prior to use.

Before cleaning the floor, remove all furniture and clutter so that the surface is completely open for cleaning. Sweep away any loose dirt and debris. If you are worried about any of the surrounding area getting wet with cleaner, line the perimeter of the tile floor with old towels.

To make the cleaning solution, mix water with the powder solution in a bucket as advised by the manufacturer. Then, pour the cleaning solution directly on the floor, saturating the grout completely. It’s best if you start with a completely dry floor, so that the cleaning solution can soak deeply into the grout. As the solution soaks into the grout, add more so that the water is filling the grout lines.

Let the cleaning solution soak into the grout for 30 minutes. Then, use a soft-bristled scrub brush, like the Unger Professional 9” Water Flow Wash Brush to lightly scrub the tile grout. Keep pouring the cleaning solution into the grout while you’re scrubbing. You will see the dirt and stains lifting and you’ll know when you’re done scrubbing. Then, rinse off the floor with clean water and let it air dry.

To keep your tile grout clean, you can add powdered oxygen bleach to the bucket of water you use while mopping. Apply more water to the floor than you normally would when mopping the floor and scrub the tile and grout with the mop. Let the mop water sink into the grout for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse off the floor with clean water.

For more cleaning tips, visit our Resources page.