Dirty Grout Lines Will Be A Thing Of Past Thanks To This Genius Candle Hack

Cleaning the grout tiles takes the longest on a deep cleaning day. You're scrubbing away with an old toothbrush and a DIY cleaning solution on the shower's grout, and your arm feels like it's going to fall off. Typically, you can get away with cleaning grout lines once a year if it's the floor, counters, or walls that don't often sit in water where mildew and mold can grow. However, one genius hack, simply using a candle, will reduce the number of times you clean the grout lines.

Applying candle wax to grout lines creates a sealant that allows water to run off instead of being absorbed by the grout and producing mildew. Thus, you can hold off on deep cleaning your shower's grout lines for a few weeks. You'll transition from cleaning grout lines once a week to once or twice a month. It's best to apply candle wax while the grout tile joints are clean and dirt-free, so you'll need to clean them if they're dirty. If the grout lines need a quick clean, create a water and vinegar solution, but if they're sticky with debris, make a paste with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. After the initial cleaning, it's time to add the candle wax.

Grout tile joints are often white or off-white, so it's best to use candle wax that's the same shade to avoid adding a layer of colorful wax to the grout lines. Most will want to stick to white or cream-colored wax because of this. In addition, using a candlestick will make the application process run smoothly. An excellent alternative is removing the wax from a tea light; its small and round shape will work like a candlestick. Dollar Tree sells candlesticks and tea lights for $1.25 each so that you can choose one or the other for your shower.

Applying the candle wax is straightforward. Allow the grout lines to dry after you clean them. Then, take the end of the candlestick and drag it over the grout line to seal it, as shown by YouTuber Andrea Jean Cleaning. Remove any residue that gets on the tiles with your finger as you press your finger into the grout tile joints. Repeat the step with all of the grout lines in your shower. You won't have to deep clean your grout for a few weeks. The wax doesn't dissolve in water, so it'll stick to the grout for a few weeks before you have to reapply it. If you ever need to remove the wax, WD-40 will make it simple.