DIY Homemade Grout Cleaner

For the past week, I've been preparing my kitchen for the big "addition." I'm working hard to get it ready, so that when it is done, it's done! It's amazing when you look at something everyday you don't realize how much things can change...example: I clean my kitchen...a lot! We have builders grade tile floors with a light gout. Not my favorite, but it will do. I mop and clean the floors with different cleaners...steam mop, Swiffer Wet Jet, Clorox Wipes, various tile cleaners, vinegar, you get the picture...After we moved the washer and dryer out of the kitchen I realized how white (clean) the grout was where they had been...and how dirty (black) the grout was where we lived! Kinda gross when I really thought about it. I finished up some house work one afternoon and was about to run to the hardware store for some over the top expensive grout cleaner when I decided to make some myself. Here's the simple recipe to my great potion:

1/4 cup bleach

3/4 cup baking soda

Not exactly rocket science! It creates a nice thick paste that I mixed together in an old cup. I went to work with an old toothbrush and was able to clean a 5' x 6' area with this amount. After scrubbing the grout, I let it sit for ten minutes, then wiped it clean with a rag and hot water. (I filled up a bucket before I started because the rag constantly needed rinsing out). I was pretty pleased as I scrubbed along...no, it wasn't sparkling, but it was looking better. When I finished, I walked away to do a few other things before the Smurfs got out of school.

I guess I wasn't using too much brain power that day, because one reason it never looked sparkling clean while I was cleaning it was because it was wet. I didn't figure that out until an hour later when I walked back into the kitchen and...holy batman!!! My kitchen floor didn't look good, it looked GREAT! Like shout from the roof GREAT! I really could not believe it. I wanted to call everyone I knew! While I did tell my mom, my dad, Marlene, the principal and secretaries at the Smurfs school, and a few other random people I met on the street that day...I saved the before and after picture until now...

before...gross...I know!

during

after :)

you can clearly see where I left off after day one...

There is nothing like a little spring cleaning and elbow grease to get you in a good mood!

Rachel :)