Tile floors are known for their sleek design and easy to clean surface, but over time, grout can become stained, discolored, and odorous. Grout is the porous material between the tiles which can easily harbor dirt, mold, and bacteria due to daily and frequent soil sources.
Although your tile may appear clean, dirty grout can quickly diminish your facility’s overall polished look. While daily mopping helps maintain surface cleanliness, it’s not enough to prevent dirt and grime from building up in grout lines over time. Grout requires periodic, more aggressive cleaning—known as grout restoration—to remove deep-set dirt and restore its original appearance.
Fortunately, how to deep clean and restore grout is thoroughly explained in this article to ensure that your tile floors look fresh and brand new.
Keep in mind, that we will cover the deeper cleaning of grout in this article. This should not be used for everyday grout cleaning.
Preparing to Clean
Before the cleaning begins, it’s important to gather all necessary commercial cleaning supplies, protective gear, and janitorial cleaning equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Supplies:
Equipment:
- Wet-Dry Vacuum
- Carpeted Sealed-Back Mat
- Wet Floor Sign
- Stiff Bristled Scrub Brush
- Mops and Buckets
- Floor Scrubber or Doodle Scrub
Always begin any cleaning process by putting on the appropriate personal protective equipment. PPE such as gloves, goggles, and masks protect you from the harsh chemicals, debris, and allergens that may be released during the cleaning procedure.
Remember to also place the wet floor signs outside the area you are going to clean to alert guests that there is cleaning in progress.
How to Restore Grout on a Tile Floor: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Remove Debris
- Step 2: Apply Grout Restorer or Grout Cleaner
- Step 3: Spread Grout Restorer or Grout Cleaner
- Step 4: Scrub
- Step 5: Remove Dirty Solution
- Step 6: Apply Water to Floor
- Step 7: Remove Water
- Step 8: Clean Wall Edges / Baseboards
- Step 9: Let Dry
Step 1: Remove Debris
Start the cleaning process by removing all large pieces of debris from the area.
Place a carpeted, sealed-back mat on the outside of the area you intend to clean. Doing this will allow the mat to collect any excess water or soil from being tracked out of the area and throughout the rest of your facility.
Step 2: Apply Grout Cleaner or Restorer
Apply enough grout cleaner (or restorer) to liberally cover the area.
To achieve clean and well-maintained grout, always begin with a thorough deep cleaning process. Use an alkaline grout cleaner, which effectively removes stains and debris without damaging the grout. In most cases, this deep cleaning step is sufficient to restore the grout’s appearance.
When to Use Grout Restoration Chemicals
If deep cleaning with an alkaline grout cleaner fails to remove extremely stubborn stains, only then should you consider using a grout restoration chemical. However, proceed with caution:
- Grout restorers are highly acidic and designed for heavy-duty cleaning. Overuse can cause the grout to erode, leading to permanent damage.
- Limit grout restoration procedures to rare, extreme cases where alkaline cleaning was ineffective.
Best Practices for Safe and Effective Grout Cleaning
- Start with Alkaline Cleaning: Perform deep cleaning with an alkaline grout cleaner first. This step is safe and typically effective in removing stains and dirt.
- Avoid Overuse of Grout Restorers: Excessive use of acidic chemicals will weaken and deteriorate grout over time. Follow all instructions carefully and only use when absolutely necessary.
- Incorporate Periodic Maintenance: After an initial restoration, maintain grout cleanliness by incorporating a quarterly cleaning routine with an alkaline grout cleaner. This regular maintenance helps prevent heavy soil buildup and reduces the need for aggressive chemicals.
Pro Tip: Once grout has been restored, include this alkaline cleaning process in your periodic maintenance plan, performing it four times a year (quarterly). This will help maintain grout cleanliness and extend its lifespan.
Always Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for product use, including proper dilution, dwell times, and product removal. Some cleaners and restorers are concentrated and require mixing before application. Reviewing the product label ensures safety and optimal results.
By following these steps, you can effectively maintain clean grout while minimizing the use of harsh chemicals and protecting the longevity of your floors.
Step 3: Spread Grout Cleaner (or Grout Restorer)
Use your stiff bristled scrub brush to spread the solution across the floor.
Make sure to only spread the product, as this step does not call for scrubbing yet.
Let the solution sit on the floor for the recommended wet dwell time. Use the product label to find the recommended dwell time.
Warning: If you determine your grout requires a restorer for this process, the acidic restoration chemical must be removed in 10 minutes or damage WILL occur to the floor.
Step 4: Scrub
Depending on the size of the area you’re cleaning, choose the most efficient piece of janitorial cleaning equipment to scrub your floors.
We recommend using a Doodle Scrub floor scrubber paired with its Blue Tile & Grout Pad.
Pro Tip: The Doodle Scrub machine is great for tight areas such as behind urinals or under partition walls in restrooms, where larger floor scrubbers may not be able to reach.
If cleaning a larger area, we recommend using a floor scrubber with a brush attachment to scrub the solution.
We do not recommend using a floor pad to clean grout because the uneven surface of the grout floors do not allow floor pads to fully penetrate down to the grout. The floor pad will prove ineffective at removing deeply embedded bacteria, soils, and stains.
Make multiple passes over the floor.
To maximize effectiveness, make sure to move the Doodle Scrub or floor scrubber in different cleaning directions to ensure the solution is able to penetrate all areas of the affected surface.
Step 5: Remove Dirty Solution
Using your wet/dry vacuum, suck up the dirty solution.
Make sure to pick up as much dirty solution as possible.
Remember, if you are using a restorer, work in sections and suck up within 10 minutes.
Step 6: Apply Water to Floor
Flood rinse the floor with a large enough amount of water to ensure all of the grout cleaner (or grout restorer) is fully removed.
With a mop, remove any grout cleaner (or grout restorer) that may have gotten on the bottom of the wall as a result of the scrubbing procedure.
It’s important to try to remove all of the product from the floor as leaving behind the chemical can cause damage to the grout.
Step 7: Remove Water
Use your wet/dry vacuum to remove the dirty water from the floor.
Once again, make sure to remove as much as possible.
Optional: Repeat steps 6 and 7 to ensure that all chemicals have been removed.
Step 8: Clean Wall Edges / Baseboards
It’s common for baseboards and wall edges to experience dirt and grime build up as a result of previous mopping procedures.
Even if the wall does not look like it is dirty, this step is important in ensuring that any leftover chemical residue from the floor cleaning procedure is removed.
Warning: Walls that are lined with paint or wood can be damaged by chemicals and abrasive scrubbing. When cleaning where the wall meets the floor, be careful what chemicals you apply to the wall.
For walls that are lined with tile:
- Apply Grout Restorer
Apply grout restorer to the bottom of the wall/baseboard.
2. Spread Grout Restorer
Use your scrub brush to spread the restorer.
3. Scrub
If you are using the Doodle Scrub, insert the pad driver into the skate attachment. The skate attachment allows the scrubber to be rotated onto its side for powerful scrubbing of baseboards. The skate has rubber wheels to allow for easy maneuverability and reduced scuff marks.
Use the Blue Tile & Grout Pad with your Doodle Scrub to agitate the restorer allowing it to penetrate the surface.
If you are not using the Doodle Scrub, use your scrub brush to agitate the restorer.
4. Apply Water
5. Rinse the Area
Pro Tip: Remember that removing all of the grout restorer is critical. The most effective way to do this is to liberally apply clean water with your clean mop.
6. Remove Slurry
Use your wet/dry vacuum to remove any water and solution.
For walls that are lined with vinyl or rubber baseboards:
- Apply Baseboard Cleaner & Wax Stripper
Apply Baseboard Cleaner & Wax Stripper to the bottom of the wall/baseboard.
2. Spread Baseboard Cleaner & Wax Stripper
Use your scrub brush to spread the chemical
3. Scrub
If you are using the Doodle Scrub, insert the pad driver into the skate attachment. The skate attachment allows the scrubber to be rotated onto its side for powerful scrubbing of baseboards. The skate has rubber wheels to allow for easy maneuverability and reduced scuff marks.
Use the SHO Wet Strip Pad and white driver pad with your Doodle Scrub to agitate the chemical.
If you are not using the Doodle Scrub, use your scrub brush to agitate the chemical.
4. Apply Water
5. Rinse the Area
6. Remove
Use your wet/dry vacuum to remove any water and solution.
Step 9: Let Dry
Allow the floor to air dry or use an air mover/floor blower to accelerate the drying process.
Make sure not to open the floor to guests until the floor is fully dry. Guests who enter the area before it is dry can track chemicals and/or water out of the affected area, which can create slip-and-fall situations with guests and can damage floors.
Once the floor is fully dry, remove the wet floor signs and open the area to guests.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning or restoring grout on a tile floor is a seemingly tedious but important janitorial task. Despite the small amount of floor space it takes up, clean grout can easily transform the perceived cleanliness of a room.
Imperial Dade has a wide range of products and equipment to clean discolored grout and remove unpleasant odors. If you’re located in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Caribbean, contact an Imperial Dade Specialist for a complimentary review of your current floor cleaning procedures and recommendations of the best products and procedures to deep clean or restore your facility’s grout.