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So you want to tackle that grout cleaning job yourself huh? My first advice would be to call a professional, simply because they have the right equipment, knowledge and cleaning agents to perform the job with superior results.
Ok, I see you've made up your mind! Lets go shopping for some items that you will need to do the job. I would go to your local Home Depot to grab the supplies you need, they have a good selection of flooring products.
1. Sulfamic Acid (powder form)
2. Brass Bristle Scrub Brush (No Nylon)
3. Wet/Dry Vacuum
4. Yellow Janitor Bucket/Wringer
5. Rayon Mop Head W/Handle
6. 1 Package Of Terry Cloth Towels (White)
7. Rubber Gloves (2 or 3 Pair)
8. White Vinegar (1 Gallon)
The most important ingredient in this list is the sulfamic acid, make sure you don't substitute this item with another one. The scrub brush needs to be thin to get in the grout lines, you may need 3 to 5 brushes depending on how large the job is.
Make sure you look on the back for directions when mixing the sulfamic acid, just follow them and you should be fine. You will however, need to mix the acid stronger if you have heavily soiled areas, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. The acid is cheap, so I would buy more than you need to do the job. You can always return the unused containers.
You can place the sulfamic acid in a spray bottle or pour it out of a small bucket. Make sure you have your rubber gloves on before mixing the sulfamic acid. You can also use the terry cloths to apply the acid, just wet it down in a small bucket and squeeze the rag on the grout lines.
You want to work an area about 9 to 16
sq. ft. any larger than that and the cleaner may dry before you get a chance to extract it with your wet/dry vacuum. Never let the acid dry on the tile, you will have to start over in the same area if you do.
Once you have sprayed the acid on the tile, let it dwell for about 5 to 10 minutes, wet it generously, so the acid doesn't dry on the tile. After 5 or 10 minutes, use your brass bristle brush to scrub the grout lines. You will need to use some elbow grease to get the lines clean.
You also may have to re-treat the same area or use more acid and let it dwell longer if it doesn't come clean the first time. Let the acid do most of the work by dwelling. The longer the better for you and your elbow.
After you have done your first 9 to 16 sq. ft. area, vacuum it with your wet/dry vacuum. Then start on your next 9 to 16 sq. ft. area. Once you have cleaned the first area, this should give you a good idea of how long the acid needs to dwell on the tile before scrubbing it. Be observant and take notes if needed. The quicker you catch on to what works the best, the sooner you will be done with the job.
Keep repeating the above step of spraying, dwelling, scrubbing and vacuuming until the job is done. Once you are finished, you will want to put clean hot water and vinegar (4 oz. for every gallon of water.) in your janitor bucket and mop the entire floor. The vinegar helps clean off the residue left from the acid. If it were me, I would mop the floor two or three times.
Ok, that's it, you are done! Now don't you wish you would have called the professionals? Stay tuned for future do-it-yourself cleaning articles.
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