Whenever you get ready to sell your home, every minute detail counts. One of the oftentimes overlooked areas in grouting is found within your tile work.
One of the common questions that comes up from every seller is, “Should I clean the grout when selling the house?” The short answer to this question would be yes, because cleaning the grout would go a long way in adding an extra layer of beauty to your home.
In this article, we look at why clean grout matters, how it affects the sale of a home, and exactly how to get that perfect look.
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Why should I clean the grout when selling the house?
1. First Impressions Count
The moment prospective buyers set foot in your home, they begin to form opinions. Grimy and discolored grout can make that first impression of a house that seems neglected and poorly maintained.
In one survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, it was found that 77% of home buyers believe the condition of a home’s interior is important. Clean grout helps create an appealing, well-maintained ambiance and, thus, becomes pivotal in setting just the right tone.
2. Perceived Value
Homebuyers will more often than not pay more for any house that appears maintained. According to a report published by Remodeling Magazine, clean and updated surfaces can bring up to 70% ROI.
Although cleaning grout might sound like an insignificant detail, it adds to the overall perception of the state of your house and may garner higher offers.
3. Hygiene and Health
Clean grout isn’t just an aesthetic problem but also a health and hygiene concern. Grout can be a host for mold and mildew, which is commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens due to excess moisture.
Buyers may be more skeptical of buying a house that seems to have cleanliness concerns, thinking it will lead into the future of possible health problems or costly remediation.
Showing them the grout is clean and free of contaminants will dismiss these concerns and make your home more attractive to them.
How to Clean Grout Effectively
If you’re still convinced that you need to clean the grout, here are some very effective ways to do so:
1. Homemade Cleaning Solutions
- Baking soda and vinegar: Mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply it to the grout lines, then spray with vinegar. After bubbling subsides, scrub with a brush and rinse with warm water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Put the hydrogen peroxide on top of the grout for particularly stubborn stains, allowing it to remain on the grout for 10-15 minutes. Scrub after set.
- Oxygen Bleach: Non-toxic and therefore safe; mix with water to a paste consistency. Allow a few minutes to sit on the grout. Then scrub.
2. Professional Cleaning Services
If you’re short on time or want a deeper clean, hiring professionals may be worth the investment. Services more often than not use steam cleaning or specialized products that can restore grout to its original color.
This can be particularly helpful for larger areas or extensive tile work.
3. Regular Maintenance Tips
Once you have cleaned your grout, it’s relatively easy to maintain cleanliness. Here are a few tips:
- Seal Your Grout: Once clean, you may want to apply a grout sealer to help prevent stains and make cleaning easier in the future.
- Wipe Down Regularly: A quick wipe-down after showers or using the kitchen with a damp cloth or sponge helps remove soap scum or food particles.
- Use Appropriate Cleaners: Yes, there are cleaners one should avoid because, over time, they will degrade the grout. Choose pH-balanced cleaners or natural ones.
Conclusion
In other words, cleaning house grout is not just cosmetic work but a strategic action to enhance your house’s appearance and, thus most likely, its market price. Because this area is usually ignored, you are most likely to make quite some difference in how your home looks to buyers.
So, when the question is, “Should I clean the grout when selling the house?”—well, yes! It will not only be more appealing, but it will also speak to the fact that your home has been well taken care of and is one that will be more attractive in an otherwise competitive market.
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