Kitchens are the heart of our homes. However, they can also become a source of frustration, especially when the tile and grout accumulate oil and grease stains. Over time, these stubborn stains can dull the appearance of your kitchen surfaces and create an unsightly buildup.
At times, most homeowners simply prefer mopping to clean such pesky stains. But on the contrary, there are several reasons why mopping isn’t enough to clean the floor and tackle such stains.
Thus, in this blog post, we will share effective tips to remove grease and oil from kitchen tiles and grout using common household ingredients, ensuring your cooking space looks fresh and inviting. So, let’s delve in.
Removing Grease And Oil From Tiles: Four Proven Ways
Solution 1. Baking Soda
Baking soda works as a powerhouse when you have to remove grease and oil from kitchen tiles. Baking soda is alkaline, which allows it to neutralize acidic substances.
Many grease stains, ironically, are also acidic in nature, so this allows baking soda to effectively break down these stains, making them easier to remove. Thus, all you have to do is:
- In a bowl, mix a generous amount of baking soda with water to make a thick paste.
- Spread the paste directly onto the stained area of the tile, allowing it to sit for some 15-30 minutes.
- Once the wait is over, use a soft-bristled brush and start scrubbing the stained area in a circular motion (be careful not to use a hard-bristled brush, otherwise that could scratch the tile).
- After scrubbing, use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the paste, rinsing frequently to remove all residues.
- Lastly, dry the area with a clean towel.
Solution 2. Lemon And Baking Soda
In addition to simply using baking soda, you can also try the combination of lemon and baking soda to banish grease or oil from your tile floor. When combined, lemon and baking soda creates a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide bubbles, which helps lift stains from the tile surfaces.
This reaction not only aids in cleaning but also enhances the mechanical action of scrubbing. Thus, Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a bowl and add about 1/2 cup of baking soda to the lemon juice.
Mix until it forms a paste. The mixture will fizz as the acid reacts with the baking soda. Spread the lemon-baking soda paste over the grease or oil-stained areas of the tile, ensuring you cover it completely.
Allow the paste to sit for some 10-15 minutes and after that, simply scrub it using a soft-bristled brush or a sponge. Finally, wipe the stain with a damp cloth, making sure you rinse it frequently to remove all residues. Once done, wrap up the process by drying the area with clean towels.
Solution 3. Vinegar
Vinegar is also an effective choice to remove grease and oil from kitchen tiles. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is effective at breaking down oil and grease. This acidity helps to dissolve the bonds that hold grease molecules together, making it easier to wipe away.
- Therefore, mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with one cup of water in a spray bottle and sprinkle it onto the stained area of the tile directly.
- Allow the vinegar to sit for 5-10 minutes, as this gives the acetic acid ample time to penetrate and break down the grease or oil.
- After the allotted time is over, use a soft-bristle brush or sponge and gently scrub the stained area. The combination of the vinegar’s acidity and the mechanical action of scrubbing will help lift the grease or oil.
- Finally, wipe away the solution with a damp cloth or sponge and pat dry the cleaned area with towels.
Solution 4. Dish Soap
As effective as vinegar is the ‘Dish Soap’ when it comes to removing grease and oil from your tile surfaces. Dish soaps contain surfactants, which are compounds that lower the surface tension of water. This allows the soap to seep and lift grease and oil more effectively.
So, mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water in a bowl or bucket (a ratio of about 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap per quart of water works well). Then, use a sponge to apply the soap water directly onto the stained area.
Allow the solution to sit for some 10 minutes. As the wait is over, grab your sponge and gently scrub the stained area in circular motions. Lastly, wipe away the soapy solution with a clean damp cloth and pat dry the area with clean towels.
Two Simple Ways To Remove Grease And Oil From Grout Lines
1. Vinegar And Baking Soda
To remove grease and oil from grout lines, initially, you can begin with vinegar and baking soda combination. When used together, the bubbling action of the reaction between baking soda and vinegar helps to penetrate the porous structure of grout, allowing the cleaning agents to reach deeper into the stains.
Hence, in a bowl, mix ½ cup of baking soda with enough water to create a thick paste. Spread the baking soda paste generously over the oily or greasy grout lines, ensuring it covers the entire area.
After that, pour white vinegar directly over the baking soda paste. As you do, you’ll notice it fizzing as the two ingredients react. Allow the mixture to sit for about 10-15 minutes.
Now, using a soft-bristle brush or an old toothbrush, gently scrub the grout lines. As the staining disappears, wipe away the mixture with a damp cloth and dry the area with a clean towel.
2. White Vinegar, Baking Soda, And Lemon Juice
In the combination of white vinegar and baking soda, you can also add an extra ingredient – lemon juice to remove grease and oil from grout. The citric acid in lemon juice has excellent grease-cutting properties, which enhances the overall effectiveness of the mixture.
So, in a bowl, mix about 1/2 cup of baking soda with the juice of one lemon to form a thick paste. Now, spread this paste generously over the stained grout lines.
Next, pour white vinegar over the baking soda and lemon paste and expect some fizzing as the two ingredients react. Wait for some 15 minutes and then, simply use an old toothbrush and gently scrub the grout lines.
The combination of the abrasiveness of baking soda, the acidity of vinegar, and the degreasing action of lemon juice will help lift the stains. Once the stain no longer appears, wipe away the mixture with a damp cloth and pat dry the area with clean towels.
Let’s End It Up!
Oil and grease are some of the most common stains to see on tile floors. Nonetheless, if not removed properly, they can damage your tile surfaces. To prevent this, it’s important to know the right way to remove grease and oil from your kitchen tiles and grout and help maintain their clean appearance.
However, in point of fact, if any household solutions (as described in this blog) fail to tackle the grease or oil ( most probably due to their stubbornness), feel free to immediately contact professionals at Magic Steam Carpet Cleaning.
Their highly trained and well-experienced experts have been in this business since 2016. And with that, they use some of the best eco-friendly cleaning solutions and cutting-edge tools to deal with any type of stain, ensuring their complete removal from your tile and grout.
You Can Also Read: The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Right Carpet For Your Home
