We have to admit our shortcomings in the grout-cleaning department. No matter how much eco-friendly cleaner we use, we just can't seem to keep the grout bright white.
Our old trick was to douse it with bleach, turn on the exhaust fan, and leave for the day to escape the fumes.
But now that we've given up that caustic product in an effort to rid our home from dangerous toxins, we're finding that our eco-bleach (made with hydrogen peroxide) just isn't doing the trick.
We have tried Magic Erasers and every other remedy we've read, including upping the elbow grease...but nothing is getting the job done. Yeah, we know, must be a bad stain. It's just this one spot that refuses to shine.
So is eco-bleach really as "powerful" as regular bleach? And do you have any suggestions for a fail-safe grout-gleening that does NOT involve some toxic chemical process?
-Amber
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I ran my garden hose into my bathroom and hooked up my pressure washer. I blasted that grout CLEAN. It was really really fun. Luckily, I have strong tiles and grout and nothing broke or cracked. (I used to have a bleach addiction, too. The pressure washer is a very good substitute.) Try this at your own risk. :)
For mold, use "Auro Mould eliminator" (not a typo). It is a German product that they sell at the Eco Home store in Berkeley. It is pricey but it did work.
view La Luz's profile
A vapor cleaner.
view aftermath's profile
Baking soda works fine for me, but then again I haven't tried it for any heavy duty jobs.
view eirracoes's profile
yes, try baking soda. i used to mix baking soda with lemon juice into a paste. i had an apartment kitchen with a badly stained white laminate counter, and this mixture brought it back to life.
view antoi's profile
Depends on what's causing the grout stains I s'pose.
Things that have worked for me:
Enviromagic's Mildew spray (on gaiam:
http://www.gaiam.com/product/eco-home-outdoor/household/cleaners/mildew stain away.do )
Bon Ami scrub and a grout brush
Mrs Meyers' eco friendly bleach.
That said... I haven't found anything that works quite as well as Clorox yet :/ (which I won't use anymore either)
view lisbet's profile