Modwalls Designer Notes

Cleaning Grout: Helpful Tips w/ a Personal Recommendation

We were recently asked {again} by a customer for some helpful tips on keeping grout bright and sparkling clean.  Who wants dirty grout?  No one.

As as self-described OCD cleaner myself, I have personally experimented with all sorts of products in the cleaning product and technique realm.  I’ve read tons of suggestions via Pinterest, blogs, and online searches, and what I have found may surprise you.

****************  Drum roll please!!!  ****************

May I introduce you to the power of the Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser?!!  If the reviews don’t convince enough to purchase this for your home – specifically for grout – maybe I will.

Thinking way back to the first time I ever bought this now very addictive little cleaning gem… I vaguely remember wandering around Target in the cleaning products aisle and saw this box (but maybe a smaller version).  I figured it was worth the very cheap cost to try out something new for my typical cleaning rituals.

After reading all the do’s and don’ts on the box, I started out small, testing it on areas that seemed up for the challenge.  First was walls, switches & outlets, then baseboards, then eventually tile & grout.  I give all the credit to these little erasers for helping me get my deposits back on not only one, but two different rental properties.

I sometimes find myself wandering around my house looking for hidden scuffs and dirt to clean up – eraser in hand.  No joke, I almost asked for these as a stocking stuffer for Christmas.  Maybe I’ll get lucky?!

Easy How-to Instructions:

1. Vacuum, sweep, or wipe away larger debris from the area you would like to clean.
2. Remove the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser from the packaging.
3. Put on rubber gloves.
4. Hold eraser under running water to get it wet and give it a couple of squeezes to remove the excess water.  (Sometimes only a bit of water is more than sufficient).
5. Rub eraser over the affected areas: could be soap scum, scuffs, dirt, mildew, mold, and stains in your shower or on your floor. It takes very little effort to rub away the grime  (although sometimes I have to use my fingernail to get into tight grout joints).  Might be best to test on a smaller area to get comfortable with the process.
6. Change the position of the Magic Eraser once the portion you are using becomes dirty. Stubborn stains may require you to go over the surface area a couple of times.
7. Wipe area clean with a damp cloth.
8. Allow your Magic Eraser to air dry and then store it away.

Anyway, I now purchase this wonderful product in bulk since it’s become such a regular favorite.  Of course, not every product works on every surface, but you’ll be pleased to know it definitely works on grout.  Here’s a link to get a coupon for it through the manufacturer – or – you can find it on amazon.com here.

Be additionally forewarned that this product does break down as you use it (like a real life eraser), so you may need more than one sponge per dirty job.  I’ve found that lightly scrubbing an area seems to work better than putting a lot of muscle into it.

Details, details, details….

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is made of a compound called melamine foam. Although it can appear soft, the inner fibers are very thin and strong. With small openings across the surface, the melamine works much like fine sandpaper, reaching into the small grooves where stains have settled.

When lightly moistened, the holes in a Magic Eraser bind to dirt particles, resulting in a clean surface. The spongy eraser may then leave behind a residue, which can easily be wiped away with water or a damp cloth.

Melamine is also used in other applications as a resin, such as for soundproofing and as insulation for pipes. According to the Mr. Clean website, the Magic Eraser contains no harsh chemicals. However, some consumer Internet sites claim the Magic Eraser can cause chemical burns on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Magic Eraser can abrade the skin when rubbed directly on the skin. When used in the intended manner, however, the melamine should not cause burning.  *Always keep out of reach of children*

NOTE: The hard surface and fibers of the Magic Eraser can scratch certain surfaces, making them appear dull, so it should not be used on varnished surfaces or other materials prone to scratching.

Read more: How Do Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Work? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5268583_do-clean-magic-erasers-work.html#ixzz2EnPG7JUb

Best of luck keeping your grout bright and sparkling with my latest favorite thing!

Cleaning Grout:  Helpful Tips w/ a Personal Recommendation by Katelyn Bowman

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com

December 12, 2012 at 12:08 pm 1 comment