How to Clean Grout? (Expert Guide to Cleaning Dirty Grout and Tiles)

 

Beautiful tile around the house can make any room look beautiful, except if it is accompanied by dirty grout. Knowing how to clean tile and grout, especially white grout, is essential for floors, walls, and counters that look sparkly clean.

 

While tile is resistant to dirt and stains, the grout lines between the tiles are porous, meaning they will absorb any grease, grime, or spills they come into contact with.

 

Learn how to clean grout using common household items and commercial cleaners proven to remove stubborn dirt and grime in no time.

How Often to Clean Grout

 

Shower Grout

 

The grout in your shower needs the most frequent cleaning since the constant moisture can lead to mildew and water damage. Run a squeegee over the tile after every shower to remove excess water. This daily maintenance will help prevent mold and soap scum buildup, making the shower tile look clean and fresh.

 

Floor Tile Grout

 

In an area that’s less prone to getting wet every day, like a tile floor or kitchen backsplash, stick to weekly or biweekly cleaning.

 

How to Clean Grout

 

• Spray the grout with hot water and scrub with a stiff brush to remove any dirt or grime on the surface. Follow the grout line as you spray and scrub in a circular motion. If you have one on hand, you can also use a steam cleaner, which is super effective at cleaning grout.
• Make a grout cleaner paste of two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide. If you’re working in an area where grout is exposed to grease (like in the kitchen with lots of elbow grease and tougher stains), add a few drops of dish soap.
• Spoon the homemade cleaner onto the grout lines and allow it to sit for around 10 to 15 minutes. Giving the tile cleaner time to work into the pores will result in cleaner and brighter-looking tile or grout.
• Scrub the grout lines using a grout brush to lift any dirt trapped in the pores. You should see the grout beginning to return to its original color.
• After scrubbing, mix a few drops of dish detergent with hot water and use a sponge or cloth to rinse the tile and wipe up the remaining baking soda paste.

 

Best Commercial Grout Cleaners

 

Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener

 

Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener comes in a relatively large bottle. Its consistency is watery and you apply it by tipping the bottle and running it along the grout line. You can apply it with a grout brush or rag if you’re working on the wall! Let it sit for three minutes, and then scrub. It’s a strong acid, so cleaning gloves and eye protection are a must. If you’re cleaning a large section of floor, work in sections. Wash away with a wet rag.

 

Magic Eraser

Wet a melamine sponge, squeeze it out, but not quite all the way, and use it to scrub your dirty grout and tile. Known for cleaning hard-to-scrub surfaces, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is a great “emergency” method for cleaning dirty grout, especially if your expectations are somewhat low or your grout isn’t too dirty. But still, it’s not a reliable solution: Grout is rough and eats through the sponge fairly quickly, so it isn’t the best choice if you have a large area to clean.

 

How to Clean Grout with Stubborn Stains

 

With Bleach

You can use a strong bleach solution, about 3/4 cup bleach to 1 gallon water, and scrub with a small brush or old toothbrush. Don’t scrub too hard or you risk damaging the grout. Wear safety goggles to prevent the bleach from splattering in your eyes, and keep the work area ventilated. Alternatively, try a foaming grout cleaner, which might need to soak for several minutes to be effective.

 

With a Steam Cleaner

 

A great solution is to break out your trusty steam cleaner. Remember to only use water without additional chemicals or cleaning solutions to the cleaner’s water tank. Once the machine has heated up, turn on the steam function and apply the cleaning brush to the stained grout. Use a rag or mop to thoroughly dry up the residual water after steam cleaning. Steam cleaning can remove grout sealant along with dirt, mold and mildew.

 

FAQs

 

What is the best thing to clean grout with?

We find the powerful duo of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to be the best way to clean grout with! Make sure to scrub hard to agitate the grout and cleaning solution and break up any stuck dirt.

 

How do I know when my grout needs replacing?

Check the color and condition in some of the higher-traffic areas of the room. If you notice any chipping or cracking in the grout, it won’t respond well to cleaning and will most likely just break apart if you try to clean it with any kind of physical force.

 

How can I get my grout white again?

Getting in between the tiles is hard but oxygen bleach like OxiClean can make keeping your grout sparkling white easy.

 

What is the trick to cleaning grout?

Steam cleaning or a machine scrubber are also great options for cleaning your grout professionally. Either type of machine could be a good choice for this type of cleaning work.

 

For more tips, tricks, and DIYs, check out our blog! At Cleanzen, we’re here to make sure your home stays tidy and clean all year long.

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