Cleaning Hack: Use Old Electric Toothbrush for Tile Grout Mould
Cleaning tile grout mould can be an exhausting chore, but a cleaning fan has shared a 'genius' hack that makes the task much faster and requires no strenuous scrubbing. This innovative method utilises an old electric toothbrush to tackle mould in damp environments like bathrooms, where steam from showers encourages growth.
The Problem with Traditional Grout Cleaning
If your bathroom features tiles, you likely understand the frustration of discovering mould developing in the grout between each one. Mould thrives in damp conditions, and each shower session creates steam that promotes its spread. Allowing mould to linger worsens the situation, making cleaning harder and potentially spreading to other damp areas of your home.
Tackling tile grout traditionally proves exhausting, typically requiring extensive scrubbing with an old manual toothbrush to reach between tiles and dislodge dirt. However, a new approach shared online removes much of this hassle.
The Electric Toothbrush Solution
While an old manual toothbrush is often considered the most effective tool for scrubbing tile grout, one cleaning enthusiast has devised a time-efficient tip: using an old electric toothbrush instead. Posting on Reddit, they demonstrated a video of themselves cleaning between wooden floor tiles with the device, describing it as "much faster" and "less exhausting" because the electric toothbrush performs the labour.
They revealed: "I can't believe I almost threw out my old and nasty electric toothbrush. It's just water, bleach, and a very old and kinda mouldy Oral-B toothbrush. It took a while to clean between every tile, but it was much faster than going with a regular brush (and less exhausting)."
Your choice of cleaning product can vary based on preference, but deploying an electric toothbrush to work in the solution and scrub tiles could significantly reduce the time needed.
Community Reaction and Safety Tips
Responses to the post showed amazement, with many commenters admitting they'd never considered the idea. Others emphasised keeping the old toothbrush separate from your actual one to avoid contamination.
One person commented: "Wow, this is so smart. I never use my electric toothbrush because it gives me headaches, and this just gave me a reason to dust the five years of dust off of it." Another wrote: "That's so satisfying. Makes me wish I had grout to clean!"
How to Eliminate Mould from Tile Grout
To safely remove mould, follow these steps:
- Protect Yourself: Wear gloves, goggles, and a mask to shield against mould and cleaning chemicals. Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or using a fan.
- Select a Cleaning Mixture: Choose one of the following solutions:
- Vinegar solution: Equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Bleach solution: One part bleach diluted in 10 parts water for tough stains.
- Hydrogen peroxide mix: One part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda to form a paste.
- Apply and Wait: Apply the chosen solution to the affected area and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to break down mould and mildew.
- Scrub: Use an electric toothbrush or another stiff-bristled brush to scrub the grout lines.
- Rinse and Repeat: Wipe with a damp sponge or cloth and rinse thoroughly with clean water. Repeat if necessary until all mould is removed.
This method not only saves effort but also leverages common household items, making it an accessible and efficient solution for maintaining a clean, mould-free bathroom.
