The best long term solution to
keeping grout clean is to seal it. This will help prevent spills from
being absorbed into the grout, and cleanup is much easier.
You can purchase grout sealer online or at your
local home center. There are quite a few types available, so be sure
to read the labels before purchase. Silicone based sealer is applied
to the grout only. It provides a long life and is fairly easy to
clean. There are also finisher/sealer types that are applied to the
entire floor. There are different types that will enhance and
highlight both the tiles and the grout, or you can get a clear finish.
To get the best results, you should use a bleach
solution (1 cup bleach to a gallon of water), and an
old toothbrush. Be sure to wear rubber gloves and protect your eyes.
This is a fairly strong bleach solution and you don't want to splash
it in your eyes or be in contact with it for long periods.
Make
sure you clean the entire floor before you begin. Once you’ve
thoroughly cleaned the grout with the bleach solution, you’ll
need to either mop or use a cloth and go over it with clean water
before applying sealer. The grout should be completely dry before
you seal it.
Sealing grout is somewhat difficult and slow work,
but the results are very rewarding. Like tires on a car, clean and
sealed grout makes the whole floor look better. And the sealer will
make furute cleanups much faster and easier.