Grout is a mixture of water, cement, and often sand that tends to stick things together. Grout is used to fill in holes or to strengthen structures that are already there.
Typically, it is a composition of sand, cement, and water. Compression grouting, plugging steel rods in masonry, connecting pre-cast cementitious material sections, filling gaps, and sealing connections like those between tiles are all things that may be done with it.
On the other hand, in the home, bleach is a common cleaning product. The cleaning power of bleach is unique. Sodium hypochlorite is dissolved in water to create this solution.
The central theme of this article will be whether or not these two things can be brought together to produce something useful. Let’s take a look at the fascinating aspects of both of these things and determine whether or not we can use bleach on grout.
Using bleach on grout:
Bleach can be used to clean grout if the appropriate safety precautions are followed. Bleach is often used for cleaning products but it has some adverse chemicals which sometimes affect many products. As a result of this, you need to tread very carefully whenever you use bleach to clean the grout.
Table of Contents
Grouts can be used to repair cracks, fill holes and gaps in tiles, seal joints to keep water out of submerged structures such as tunnels and canals and stabilize the soil. We discuss the various types of grout and whether or not they can be cleaned with bleach.
Unsealed grout:
If grout hasn’t been sealed, it will have the porous structure that comes with it. Unsealed grout is mostly made up of cement.
Because of this, it becomes more fluid and can be used with less than 1/8 of an inch between tiles. Because it is porous, dirt and grime will quickly make it look dirty.
Sealed Grout:
Sealed grouts are a way of grouting tiles. By applying a grout sealer, you can protect your grout and make it water resistant, as well as prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Sealing the grout tends to help the appearance, texture, and reliability of your grout to last longer, and it also prevents mold and mildew from growing on it. It will also have a longer lifespan and look much better.
Epoxy grout:
Epoxy grout is resistant to erosive chemicals and has a high tensile strength, which prevents it from cracking, shrinking, or changing color. Because it is not a porous material, there is no longer any requirement for a secondary sealant.
Epoxy grout is mostly resin, not cement. It lasts a long time, doesn’t crack, and doesn’t leak.
Contractors must work in small batches because the material dries quickly, making installation harder. Epoxy grout makes surfaces glossier, which some customers dislike.
Will bleach damage the color of the grout?
When deciding on a grout color, it’s important to also think about maintenance. When cleaning the grout with bleach, you need to exercise some caution because of the chemical’s corrosive properties.
Colored grout:
You can use bleach on colored grout but it will affect the color. The grout’s color may fade if bleaching agents seep into it. Grout can also be weakened by them, leading to crumbling or cracking.
Black grout:
Yes, you can use bleach on black grout. Using bleach to lighten black grout is a simple and quick way to update your bathroom.
Grey grout:
There is no problem with using bleach on gray grout. A straightforward and speedy approach to modernizing your bathroom is to lighten the grout by using bleach.
White grout:
You certainly can use bleach on white grout. However, it is better to keep in mind that it will discolor and ultimately fade the grout. Therefore, it is recommended to think wisely before bleaching your white grout as it may lose color.
Pros and cons of using bleach on grout:
Since it’s hard to clean grout, it’s not surprising that people usually choose the easiest option. While you choose bleach for cleaning grout, you should be aware of its pros and cons.
Pros:
Easy to find:
Bleach is an item that you absolutely must have in your home. You can find this product anywhere around your house.
Antibacterial:
Bacteria, mold, and fungi, some of which may be difficult to spot, are eliminated from the home by using this product.
Terminates mildew and mold:
Mildew can be cleaned with it. Bleach not only gets rid of the mildew, but it also terminates germs and helps get rid of the smell after a while. This will stop the mildew from getting bigger and showing up.
Remove dirt:
Cleansing and removing grime, debris, and other unsavory things from bathroom fixtures like sinks, tubs, and commodes.
Non-toxic:
There are many different kinds of bleach, but the one that is completely non-toxic and therefore the safest to use is oxygen bleach.
Cons:
Corrosive to metals:
Accidentally spraying bleach on a metal fixture while cleaning the grout in your kitchen or bathroom won’t end well.
Easily diluted:
Bleach is powerful, but water dilutes it quickly. The longer you use bleach on grout, the less effective it becomes.
Damage your materials:
When using bleach to clean, the unseen damage may be more concerning than the visible damage, especially if you are cleaning between expensive tiles or the grout around an expensive porcelain fixture.
4 tips to use bleach on grout properly:
Bleach might not have been the best option for cleaning grout lines, but if you absolutely must use it, here are some safety measures to take. Here are 4 tips for you:
Wear Safety Gear:
Bleach has corrosive properties. This means that special care must be taken when applying bleach to tiles. Wear protective gear such as goggles, rubber gloves, and clothes so that you don’t mind getting bleach on.
Proper ventilation:
Bleach in a confined space without ventilation is dangerous. Moreover, bleach is sometimes toxic and emits awful fumes that can make you sick in a small space. That’s why, if possible, open every window and run a fan to improve airflow.
Don’t take much time:
Do not let the bleach sit on the tile for too long. Moreover, in the long run, grout damaged by bleach will need to be replaced.
Brush the grout perfectly:
You don’t want any bleach to stick to your grout. You should first brush it. After applying bleach, make sure to thoroughly rinse the tile with clean water.
Rinse your tiles until all of the bleach is gone. After you rinse off the bleach, you can dry the surface with a dry rag.
What are the best solutions for cleaning grout?
Grout quickly becomes discolored from white to black as it absorbs soil and stains. Let’s get started on learning how to clean your grout so that it shines like new and how to maintain it so that users don’t have to clean it as frequently.
Vinegar:
White distilled vinegar is widely used as an eco-friendly cleaning agent. When it comes to disinfecting, vinegar shines as an antibacterial powerhouse.
Vinegar’s natural acidity makes it an effective disinfectant, reducing the likelihood that germs, air – borne diseases, and other potentially infectious particles will be spread throughout your home during cleaning.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Hydrogen peroxide, which can be found in most pharmacies, may be needed to remove moderate stains.
The product can be used on its own, or as an ingredient in a DIY grout cleaning paste made from baking soda as well as hydrogen peroxide. The grout can be sealed or unsealed after using this mixture.
Baking Soda:
Another essential component for cleaning tile grout is baking soda, which is also known by its chemical name, sodium bicarbonate.
This component serves multiple purposes, including that of a natural brightener, bonding agent, and scrubbing aggregate.
Oxygen bleach:
Oxygen bleach is an effective grout cleaner, especially for removing stubborn stains from very dirty white grout. Most stores stock this product in powdered form, and popular brands are available.
Warm water:
The combination of water and grout cleaner is something that should be done according to personal preference as well as the function that the cleaner is supposed to serve.
Commercial grout stain remover:
Using a high-quality grout cleaner could make short work of eliminating mildew and mold and returning grout to its original, brilliant white color.
Chlorine bleach:
Grout can be cleaned with diluted chlorine bleach or commercial cleaners containing diluted chlorine bleach in some cases. Lengthy use of caustic cleaners will erode grout, so it’s not a good option to clean grouts.
Final thoughts
We all know that bleach is a very useful cleaning product. It does a good job of cleaning the grout. Bleach is a highly efficient disinfectant for household components. However, as it contains destructive chemicals, grout must be cleaned with caution and that’s how you can clean grout with bleach.