How To Remove Mold From Colored Grout

By  Kimbry Parker

Things Needed

  • Scrub brush

  • Vinegar

  • Empty spray bottle

  • Stiff brush

  • Baking soda

  • General household cleaner

  • Steam cleaner (optional)

  • Commercial mold cleaner

  • Oxygen bleach

Warning

Never use chlorine bleach or products containing chlorine bleach on colored grout. It can alter the color of the grout.

Open windows and turn on a fan, if possible, when using commercial cleaners and chemicals to clean the grout. This will decrease your exposure to the fumes.

Test the product you are using on an inconspicuous area before applying it to the entire surface of the grout, to make sure it will not damage the grout work.

Do not mix cleaning products together. This can produce chemical reactions and toxic fumes or burns to the skin.

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, mold is a microscopic fungus that thrives in moist environments. Mold spores spread through the air and can be inhaled fairly easily, causing health problems such as headaches, skin rashes, asthma and various other conditions. It is not uncommon to find mold growing in tile grout, especially in a shower or bathroom, where there is an abundance of moisture. Removing mold from colored grout, or any grout for that matter, is essential in maintaining a healthy home.

Step 1

Clean the grout with plain, warm water and a scrub brush prior to starting your mold removal. This will loosen up the mold to make it easier to remove.

Step 2

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray this all over the colored grout and use a stiff brush to scrub. You can also make a paste mixing a small amount of water with baking soda and scrub it onto the grout. Scrub in a short, circular motion. Rinse with water. This is generally effective for small mold stains on colored grout.

Step 3

Use a general household cleaner such as Comet, Fantastic or Lysol Multi-Purpose Spray. Apply the cleaner and allow it to settle into the grout for a few minutes. Scrub with a stiff brush and rinse clean with water.

Step 4

Steam clean the colored grout if you have a steam cleaner. The pressure and heat from the steam cleaner can loosen up the mold and stains and remove them from the grout.

Step 5

Apply a commercial cleaner designed for grout mold to the tile and grout. Allow the product to saturate into the grout for a few moments and then scrub with a stiff brush. Choose a product that is pH balanced to prevent the chemicals in the cleaner from eroding the grout.

Step 6

Dilute oxygen bleach with water and apply to the grout. Oxygen bleach is color safe, so it will not fade the colored grout, while killing the mold. It will also kill bacteria

References

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