Tile surfaces are most common in kitchens and bathrooms. Tiles are often used in places where water is most likely to hit the wall. It can also be found in the area of sink in the kitchen and in the places where the bathtub is installed. Here, dirty drops often hit the wall surface. The tile is not afraid of such influences and is subsequently easily wiped off with a damp sponge.
However, modern surface cladding technology involves the use of decorative seams between tiles. Under various conditions, these seams can have a thickness of 1 to 5 mm. They have a different quality. The solution that forms the basis of the grout has a rough structure, which over time accumulates dust deposits in itself, which contributes to the darkening of the joints. Cleaning such surfaceshas specific features. In this article, we will tell you how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom.
Causes that darken seams
To fill the corrective joints between facing tiles today, special decorative grouts are used, which are made on the basis of white cement. The desired color of the grout is achieved by applying various shades of color. As a result, ready-made mixtures of a wide variety of colors and shades are obtained. However, their cement base, which is highly durable, is not capable of creating glossy surfaces, which makes it difficult to clean the grout between tiles in the bathroom.
The external structure of this surface acquires a rough character, reminiscent of the front side of fine sandpaper. If moisture gets on such a surface, there is a possibility of dust settling, which accumulates over time. Moreover, it cannot be wiped off the abrasive surface of the seam with a sponge or rags, so few people know how to clean the seams between the tiles in the bath.
With regular exposure to steam and high humidity, a favorable habitat is created for various fungi, as well as mold. This fact completely distorts the decorative appearance of the joints, and in other cases causes an unpleasant odor, forcing you to decide how to wash the joints between the tiles in the bath.
Ways to clean old tile joints
In today's world, household chemicals departments offer a wide variety of detergents and disinfectants,applicable to any life situation. To clean the corrective joints between the facing tiles, you can also choose the right composition. To do this, it is necessary to make a choice depending on the condition of the seams.
In case of primary darkening, it is enough to use a detergent with a small content of soda or chlorine. In the event of mold formation, it is necessary to resort to the help of antibacterial agents. This is exactly what the best way to clean the grout between tiles in a bathtub is under the circumstances.
Regular cleaning
If the grout of the corrective joints began to fade over time or stains from grease or used detergents formed on it, then you can use any detergent at hand and a hard rag. It is better that the agent used for this purpose has the ability to dissolve fats with lime deposits. How to wash the seams between the tiles in the bathroom? Fairy or CIF specific formulations can do the job just fine, AOS or Silit are also great. If it is not possible to use these tools, you can try others with similar characteristics.
Bactericidal treatment
How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom if black mold or fungal formations appear on the tile seams? You should use products that contain chlorine. An example of such funds is the famous Domestos or ordinary whiteness, the difference will only beodor released during processing. The indicated agent must be rubbed over the surface of the damaged seams and held for 5-10 minutes, and then washed off with water. How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom? In such situations, special tools designed to work with seams are also used. Among the most famous representatives of this group, one can name Ultra-Stripper, as well as the equally well-known analogue BOZO.
Finished seams don't always get their original look. For this reason, after removing the mold, it is recommended to clean the seams with wet sandpaper intended for finishing cleaning. As a result, they will acquire not only a fresh look, but also a completely smooth surface. Upon completion of the stripping, it is best to finish the procedure with a special liquid designed for long-term protection of the seams called Atlas Dolphin. It contributes to the formation of a protective film on the surface, which warns against subsequent contamination.
Using the steam generator
In the conditions of the 21st century, there will always be an alternative way to solve a problem using the latest technical developments. In this situation, we are talking about a steam generator, which has the ability not only to qualitatively clean the seams from stains and layers, but also to remove mold or fungal masses from the surface. This processing is of high quality. This is how you can clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom without much loss. During the cleaning process, various damages on the treated surface are completely excluded, anddivorces and all kinds of streaks.
The processing procedure looks quite simple. With the help of a steam generator, a hot jet of steam is created, which perfectly reaches all the hidden surfaces of the seams, heating the layers to a high temperature with high humidity. All formations soften for a while and are perfectly removed with a rag or a small hard brush. Even if it is not possible to get a 100% result the first time, the procedure can be repeated with the same effect.
Use improvised means
In the case when general cleaning has reached a summer house or a country house, it is not always possible to use the services of household chemical stores or complex technical means. In such a situation, the issue can be solved in a different way, using various items that are at hand. How to clean the seams between the tiles in the bathroom? Consider further.
Vinegar
Vinegar can always be found in the household of any home. He can be of great help in this situation. If you dilute 9% vinegar in half with water, you get a working composition, through which you can effectively fight against pollution formed in the tile corrective joints. For processing, the resulting solution is methodically applied between all the tiles. Then, using a used toothbrush, the seams are thoroughly cleaned, depriving them of dirt and various formations. Thus, it becomes clear how to scrub the seams between the tiles in the bath.
Composition for white seams
For white seams located betweentiles, it is desirable to use a composition capable of bleaching the surface, capable of not only cleaning, but also re-etching dirty layers. For this purpose, a homemade mixture of soda and bleach is well suited. The technique for preparing the composition and the processing process look quite simple, so it's easy to learn how to whiten the seams between the tiles in the bath.
Ordinary soda is diluted with bleach to form a pasty mixture. Then the resulting solution is methodically applied to the plane of the tile joints, leaving to dry completely. At the end, the hardened solution is washed off with water using a brush. If the procedure is performed correctly, the surface acquires a bright white color, comparable to fresh grout.
Hydroperite
Hydrogen peroxide has the ability not only to dye women's hair, but also to bleach faded surfaces. This is the most delicate way to renew colored seams between wall tiles that have lost their original appearance. To do this, it is enough to apply the composition of hydrogen peroxide to the field of seams. There will be a reaction, and all layers will fall behind. Dirty streaks can be removed with a damp sponge, and it is not necessary to specifically rinse the solution.
Features worth knowing
When choosing a cleaner for dirty tile joints, you must always consider the quality of the laid tiles. Some types of tiles do not respond well to certain aggressive compounds.
If the material has a glazed glossy surface, then it is badreacts with various acids. Contact of acid with the surface of such a tile will inevitably lead to a distortion of its appearance. It may fade noticeably.
Tiles that do not have a glazed coating, but, on the contrary, have a matte surface, must be washed very thoroughly after manipulating the joints. After that, it is covered with mastic as a protective layer.
Glass tiles or mosaics are particularly resistant. However, it is worth knowing that the surface of such finishing materials may lose its attractiveness when in contact with concentrated acids or alkalis.
Apart from everything else, any tiled surface does not tolerate contact with abrasive materials, especially when wet. Some cleaning products have a similar base and should not be used for maintenance.
Epoxy-based compounds are very suitable for filling corrective joints between floor tiles. Such seams are practically not contaminated, and also do not contribute to the formation of mold or other formations in the form of fungi. To clean the tile joints, the use of ordinary soap is not recommended. The remains of this mass can become fertile ground for the vital activity of fungi.
Conclusion
The process of cleaning the seams in which mold has started is very complex and laborious. It cannot be done quickly. A positive result can only be achieved through a complex and painstaking process. For this reason, it is not recommended to runsurfaces of tile joints, leaving them without attention for a long time. If you systematically clean them using ordinary detergents, they will retain a presentable appearance for a long time. Even the most attractive tile will not look as impressive against the backdrop of faded and stained seams that have lost their presentable appearance.
