My bathroom has tiles as small as one inch square in a repeating pattern common in bathrooms from the 1960s. Over the years, the grout has become quite dark, especially away from the corners, which I think indicates it is primarily dirt. I have tried many cleaning products, such as scouring powder and bleach, but have had no success. Do you have any suggestions?

A: The Tile Council of North America, a trade association that represents manufacturers of tile and related products, recommends cleaning grout with an alkaline cleaner, such as Spic ’n Span or Mr. Clean. The association warns against acid-based cleaners, which can eat into grout, and cleaners with oil or wax, such as Murphy Oil Soap and Pine-Sol, because they can leave a sticky residue on grout. If the alkaline cleaners don’t work, the association recommends trying an enzyme cleaner labeled for use on tile. An example is Rejuvenate RJ24BC Bio-Enzymatic Tile & Grout Everyday Cleaner ($5.97 for a 24-ounce spray bottle at Home Depot).

However, the best tip from the council probably isn’t what cleaner to use; it’s the process. Because grout is porous, grime picked up by the cleaning solution often tends to re-lodge within the grout pores. To overcome this, the council recommends using a shop vacuum to whisk up the cleaning solution. Apply clean water and vacuum that up, too, so you rinse the floor thoroughly. Or, even better, the council says, use a steam cleaner. One machine that’s suitable for small spaces such as a bathroom is the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner ($139.13 on Amazon).

Scrubbing with fine-gauge steel wool and then applying oil is often appropriate as a way to restore the surface on teak furniture, whether it’s solid teak or laminated with just a teak veneer. Brandon Webster of Gallery 2112, a D.C. dealer of mid-century modern furniture, sculpture and art, said that’s often what he does. However, after looking at the pictures you sent, he suggested the damage might be too much for this simple approach to work. Also, given the vintage of your table, he said he fears the original finish was not oil but lacquer or even polyurethane, which wouldn’t respond well to the treatment you suggest.

I put cheap vinegar in a spray bottle and spray onto the grout. Leave it for 5-10 minutes then scrub it with a toothbrush, scrubbing brush, or alternatively using a hand held steam cleaner (like the H20 or Shark ones they advertise). That does a beautiful job, although the steam seems to be short lived. Vinegar works wonderfully but you need to clean it off quickly.

To clean grout, put 3 cups baking soda into a medium-sized bowl and add 1 cup warm water. Mix into a smooth paste and scrub into grout with a sponge or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and dispose of leftover paste when finished.

Bathroom tiles get stains over time as a results of mineral deposits within the water. These stains can not be removed throughout your weekly improvement sessions. standard home cleaners won’t take away them and even unhealthful chemical cleaners can principally fail – besides they place a burden on the surroundings and a risk to your health once respiration and once having skin contacts.

cleaning bathroom tiles naturally