Ceramic tile is a great flooring option, especially when you live in Hawaii. It’s beautiful, it’s durable, it’s resistant to water, and it’s easy to clean. However, one of the major downsides of tile is grout that becomes dirty and gross. The worse scenario is if mold begins to grow on the grout, which is an issue you want to address right away.
Not only does mold growth on grout look bad but it can also cause a bad odor in your home and even pose health risks to you and your family. The good news is with the right cleaning solution and some elbow grease, you can usually remove mold from grout lines and prevent it from returning in the future.
How to remove mold from grout
There are a few DIY cleaning methods for removing and killing the mold from the grout. Here are some options.
- Bleach – Mix one part bleach with four parts water. Spray the mixture on the grout and wait about an hour before scrubbing with a brush.
- Vinegar – Mix equal parts white vinegar and water. Spray on grout and scrub with a brush after an hour or so.
- Baking soda – Mix ½ cup baking soda with a gallon of water. Spray on the grout, scrub, and rinse with warm water.
- Salt – Wipe the grout with a damp cloth, then sprinkle salt on the grout line. Let it soak in overnight and wipe the lines clean the next day.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Combine hydrogen peroxide and white flour to form a paste. Apply the paste onto the grout and add baking soda to create a fizzy reaction. Scrub the grout line with a brush.
How to prevent mold from growing on tiles
Once you have clean grout lines, it’s smart to take steps to make sure the mold doesn’t return again soon. Often, tile is installed in moist rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and basements. To prevent mold, it’s critical to limit standing water and moisture in the area.
- Promote good airflow by opening doors and running an exhaust fan
- Fix leaks from sink faucets, showerheads, appliances, or any other water outlet
- Seal the grout with a silicon-based sealer, which will prevent water from soaking into the grout
- Wipe up floors and remove wet items such as damp towels
Dealing with severe mold growth and water damage
Fortunately, a small amount of mold growth on grout lines is a minor case to deal with. There are much more extreme cases of water damage and mold in homes that require professional remediation and restoration.
For certified restoration services, call Hawaii Restoration Services 24/7 at (808) 468-7978 for a free estimate.