With all the grimes and spills from food preparation, cooking, and dirty utensils, kitchen tiles become filthy and stained. Daily showers can lead to mineral build-up, soap scum, and hard water stains. If left unattended, these stains will be hard to remove and can be permanent. Products sold on the market contain harsh chemicals that can damage your grout over time. Why spend on those expensive cleaners when you already have the natural cleaners right in your kitchen pantry? Of course, you can always call a provider of professional tile and grout cleaning services. But if you want to do things on your own, here are some ways to remove tile stain the natural way:
1. White vinegar
White vinegar is acidic, which makes it effective in removing stains and eliminating odor. It prevents mold growth and dissolves soap scum, mineral buildup, and hard water spots. Mix one cup of white vinegar with one gallon of warm water. Use the mixture to clean your tile with a mop or a sponge. To prevent mold growth, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bottle then spray it directly on the tiles. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub the surface with a brush or sponge. Vinegar has a strong smell but will fade away after an hour.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive cleaner. It cleans and deodorizes tile surfaces gently. Use it to clean water spots, minimal product residue, and dirt in your bathroom. Wet a sponge and dip it into a bowl of baking soda, and then use it to scrub your kitchen and bathroom tiles, grout, and other surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda onto the tiles and scrub with a wet sponge. Rinse or wipe thoroughly with warm water. For stubborn dirt, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar will give you the needed action.
3. Lemon juice
Some beauty products contain lemon juice because it has the ability to remove skin blemishes. But do you know that lemon juice can also do wonders in your kitchen and bathroom tiles? Just like vinegar, it is acidic; thus, it can effectively eliminate the stain and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Interestingly, it is even more effective when you mix it with baking soda.
4. Coarse salt
Coarse salt helps eliminate molds by drying them up. Wet the area where there is mold growth and then sprinkle coarse salt into the grout. Let it sit overnight then clean it off in the morning. You can also make a salt solution and spray it on the area.
5. Borax
Borax cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes. It removes stains, softens hard water, and whitens your tiles. Mix two tablespoons of borax with a gallon of warm water to mop your tile. For extremely filthy grout, combine one-half cup baking soda, one-fourth cup borax, and hot water to form a thin paste. Pour the mixture over the tile, scrub, and then rinse.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is non-toxic and cheap. It is used for tough household chores like dissolving soap scum and eliminating molds and viruses. Make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and white flour. Apply the paste to the grout and tiles. Allow it to sit overnight and then rinse with cold water.
The longer the stains remain on your tile, the harder they are to remove. Regular sweeping and deep cleaning will keep your tiles clean. If everything else fails, don’t hesitate to hire professional tile and grout cleaning professionals near you.
