Why to Clean Tile Grout
Those black stains on your grout are not just dirt, it is mold. This is a living organism which thrives in moist porous areas – exactly like the grout in your bathroom after a shower – and if left untreated it will continue to grow and spread. The mold starts on the surface where it is easy to clean, but if left untreated it will grown deep into the grout. If this happens the only way to fix it is to chip out the contaminated grout and apply new grout, a much more labor intensive process than periodic cleaning.
Once the mold gets deep into the grout it can start growing behind the tiles. Mold loves not only moisture but also dark places. That means it will likely grow faster once it gets behind the tiles. If left to grow long enough it will start to present a health problem for the building occupants. Some symptoms of mold exposure include, but are not limited to:
- Eye irritation with burning, watery or reddened eyes
- Immune system suppression
- Nose or throat irritation or both
- Cough – dry and hacking
- Skin rashes or irritation
- Memory impairment
- Headaches
- and Mood swings
Now that you are (hopefully) convinced, here’s a good article on how to clean grout in shower areas. Make cleaning your tile grout a part of your regular cleaning routine and help keep yourself and other people who live with you healthy.