Grout is mainly meant to bind tiles together and enhance stability and durability.
It also adds a distinctive feel and look to the tiles, contributing to the general beauty of the home.
However, choosing the right grout color can differentiate between a well-planned tile arrangement and a poor one.
A perfectly selected grout color can change the entire look of the tiles, transforming them from classic tiles to modern tiles just by a mere look,
If you are planning to add tiles to your bathroom, one of the disturbing aspects is grout color.
So, Is White Grout In The Shower A Terrible Idea?
For a shared bathroom, using white grout is not a nice idea. However, if you generally love sparkling white, you can as well use it in your single-use bathroom, but be ready to clean it thoroughly and frequently. White grout can easily turn yellow, which appears to be some kind of dirt in a bathroom even after being washed.
If you are planning to renovate or put new tiles in your bathroom but are not sure which grout to use, this article might help you. It will cover some of the grout colors to use in a bathroom and the general theories of grout color selection, and how to maintain white bathroom grout.
How To Clean Your Bathroom – Two Methods
Extremely porous and light-colored grout will easily stain and appear dirty even when washed.
In most cases, white grout turns yellow or grey after the bathroom has been used for some time.
The biggest culprits of a stained bathroom grout are mold and mildew.
Since a bathroom usually gets wet every day, it is highly susceptible to tarnishing its color. Here are two main methods for cleaning and keeping bathroom grout sparkling white.
Method One: Using Vinegar
To clean your bathroom using vinegar, you will need to have the vinegar ammonia and baking soda.
Step 1
Take seven cups of warm water, ½ cup of baking soda, ⅓ cup of ammonia, and ¼ cup of white vinegar and mix until all the baking soda dissolves.
Step 2
Put the whole mixture in a spray bottle and shake it thoroughly for easy application.
Step 3
Spray the grout starting with small areas of about two square feet until it is completely damp.
Leave the mixture for about 3-5 minutes to work well on the grout.
Step 4
Using a hard bristle brush, or a toothbrush, scrub the ground between your tiles to remove all dirt.
In areas with dark stains, you should apply more pressure to get rid of the darker stains.
Step 5
Using a damp cloth, wipe up the dirty liquid and ring it into a separate container.
Obviously, you won’t like it when the dirt you have just scrubbed out gets back to the grout lines.
Clean the entire floor surface with a damp cloth or mop to ensure there are no dirt particles remaining on your bathroom surface.
Method Two: Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is mainly used for tough stains. You will need to have hydrogen peroxide and baking soda.
Step 1
Put baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and mix to create a paste.
Step 2
Spread the made paste onto your grout using a toothbrush.
Alternatively, you can coat the entire area being cleaned and let it settle for some time, at least 5 minutes.
Step 3
Use a hard bristle brush to scrub along the grout lines.
If the grout still appears dirty even after scrubbing, apply more mixture and scrub again.
Step 4
Take a damp piece or mop and wipe off the remaining paste.
Using a spray cleaner, spray over the entire flood and finish by wiping dry with a clean mop.
Four Tips For Keeping Bathroom Grout Clean
Considering the extra energy and time you will need to clean dirty bathroom grout, you may find it necessary to try and ensure it does not get dirty again.
You may take some precautions to ensure there is no mold growing i. the bathroom or grime build-up in the grout.
1. Seal The Grout Lines
A grout sealer helps prevent possible staining and helps keep the grout shining with its original color. Additionally, it is easy to clean compared to unprotected grout.
It is important to clean and dry the tiles before installing the sealer and wait for them to dry.
It is always advisable to avoid using the protected bathroom until the grout sealer cures fully.
Getting the bathroom wet before complete curing occurs can disintegrate the sealant. While installing the grout protector, always make sure you follow all the instructions for it to be effective.
2. The Bathroom Should Be Well Ventilated
Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom to drive away humid air that contributes to the growth of mold and mildew.
You may also open the windows to ensure continuous airflow that keeps your bathroom dry and moisture-free.
3. Dry The Grout After Showering
Every time you shower, it is important to clean and dry the surface before getting out of the bathroom.
This is one of the simplest ways to keep the grout for a longer time and in good condition.
You can either use a squeegee or an old towel to dry the walls and the floor and ensure there are very little or no damp spots.
4. Install Wall Panels
Consider installing wall panels if you find it hard to use tiles in your bathroom.
Usually, cleaning bathroom tile grout requires some good time and dedication.
However, not every person will be able to dedicate time to such a hard task at the expense of other more important activities.
If you are among this group of people, you can opt for wall panels that are simple to maintain, easy to fit, and very affordable.
Three Theories Of Grout Color Selection
There are three main theories linked to selecting a good grout color for fixing tiles. They include:
1. Matching Theory
Based on this theory, you are expected to pick a grout color similar to one of your tiles.
Matching grout color is good when the tile is greatly patterned and has several pigmentations.
It enhances the tiles’ visual appeal without even noticing the grout color.
It is highly recommended that you select either a lighter or darker shade of the same color for it to blend in with the overall look easily.
For example, you can use white grout for gray marble tiles to add beauty and design to your shower.
2. Contrasting Theory
If you desire to source more attention to the overall layout of your grout instead of attracting attention to one single tile, you can consider this contrasting color idea.
The best example of this contrasting theory is the light grey bathroom tiles arranged in a brick pattern.
You will find in most bathrooms that they have used dark grey grout for white tiles, and the lookout is usually a striking contrast that feels modern.
You can also consider the contrasting grout color if the tiles have several veins. The grout helps you draw the accent color, giving bathroom walls and floor a more beautiful look.
3. Neutral Grout Color Theory
Typically, selecting a neutral grout is the most common and safe choice for bathrooms.
Rather than selecting a white or bold dark color, you should aim at selecting tans, creams, beiges, and grays to add a neutral color hint.
The neutrality in these colors is universally accepted as they rain appealing throughout the years you will use your bathroom.
Even if you choose to change the décor of your entire house, you may not necessarily have to change the bathroom because it will neutrally fit in the new décor.
Conclusion
White grout in bathrooms is very common in many homes.
However, it requires a little more extra consistency and effort in cleaning.
If you are worried about whether it is a bad idea to use white grout for bathroom tiles, worry no more.
All you need is to master the methods of cleaning white grout and how to maintain it.
Sources
https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/blog/how-to/how-to-clean-grout/
https://whoatwherewhy.com/is-white-grout-hard-to-keep-clean-shower/