Mildew on bathroom tile grout common issue

Q: The grout in my bathroom between the tile is discolored with dark mildew. Some of the tile is glossy, and some has a flat, dull surface. What is the easiest and safest way to get it clean? — Ryan T.

A: Dark mildewed grout is common in most bathrooms and anywhere else where there is tile and constant moisture. Even though the rest of the bathroom is clean, the discolored grout makes the entire bathroom seem unclean. Luckily, it does not damage the structural integrity of the grout, so when you finally get it cleaned, it will be as good as new.

It helps to understand the source of the mildewed grout so you can avoid it in the future after you get it cleaned. Without proper care, it will quickly return. Mildew is actually a living organism that survives on minute organic particles, such as flakes of skin, soap and oils as well as moisture.

It will be difficult to ever eliminate all the organic particles in a bathroom, but you can control the moisture level. The microscopic spores which the mildew sends out can stay dormant for a long time, so you must be conscientious about keeping everything drier. Dry off the shower walls and leave the shower curtain/door open.

Some of the stains you see may be caused by hard water deposits, and they may also be spread over the tiles themselves. These are a bit more difficult to clean off than the mildew, but they are easy to keep from returning. These hard water deposits, usually calcium, can be dissolved with white vinegar.

To remove the calcium deposits and stains, saturate some paper towels with vinegar. Place the wet towels against the tiles and press them down so that they contact the entire surface. They should cling naturally and stay in place. It may take a while, but once softened, these stains can be washed away with a scrub brush and water.

The best type of scrub brush to use has stiff plastic bristles. The surface of ceramic tile is very hard, so the plastic bristles, even though they may feel stout, should not scratch the tile surface. Avoid abrasive cleaners because the tiny abrasive particles may scratch and dull the glossy tiles.

To remove mildew, wash down the tile and scrub it with a standard bathroom cleaner. This may remove most of the mildew if it is not too bad. A few bathroom cleaners to consider are Lysol Mist Away Daily Shower Cleaner, Comet Cleanser with Bleach, Tilex by Clorox, and Arm & Hammer Clean Shower.

After you have used the cleaners, dry off the tile. Put on rubber gloves and saturate some more paper towels with chlorine bleach. Open some windows so you have adequate ventilation. Place these towels over the tiles. Bleach will whiten the grout and also kill any mildew spores it contacts to minimize future mildew growth.

Once you are done with the cleaning, you will likely still have a few dark mildewed grout spots. Use Clorox Beach Pen Gel to clean these difficult spots. Use the pointed end and squirt the bleach gel over the grout. Follow the instructions on the package and it should whiten even the stubborn spots.

Hairspray is wonderful for your hair and not so great on the floor, sink, walls, mirror and counter in your bathroom, where you get ready every morning.

Unless you are diligent to go outside every time you spray your hair, it’s a good bet that hairspray overspray is landing on the nearby surfaces of your bathroom.

When allowed to build up day after day, hairspray overspray can be tough to remove.

What you need is a solvent that will melt the hairspray without harming the surfaces. Bonus points if that solvent does the job and then dries quickly without leaving streaks.

Chances are good you already have the perfect product to remove hairspray buildup somewhere in your house: 91 percent isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Used straight in a good spray bottle, rubbing alcohol is an excellent disinfectant and a natural solvent. It dries quickly and leaves no streaks. Just spray it on and then wipe it off with a good microfiber cloth.

For tough situations where the hairspray has built up over time — like on the floor — allow the alcohol to sit for a few minutes to soften and melt the hairspray so you can wipe it away. (Before using on painted surfaces, always test in an inconspicuous place.)

For routine maintenance between weekly cleanings, use a 50-50 mixture of 91 percent isopropyl alcohol (about $2 for a big bottle in any drug store) and water plus a drop or two of blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. A quick spray and wipe down is all it takes to keep hairspray overspray away.

Here are some other helpful hints:

• Ink stains: If that ink stain is fresh, chances are high that a quick soaking with rubbing alcohol will prevent a permanent stain. Once allowed to soak for a few minutes, launder as usual.

• Whiteboard stains: You know what happens when dry erase markers are used on whiteboards and allowed to stay on there for a long time: permanent marks!

You could buy pricey whiteboard cleaner or grab that spray bottle with 91 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to give it a good cleaning. Works like a charm.

• Chrome: Want to bring the sparkle back to your bathroom and kitchen sink fixtures? Rubbing alcohol will do it in no time at all.