Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty: How to Clean Grout3 min read

Do you find yourself mumbling profanities at your grout? Or sometimes think, “Of all the colors in all the world, I just HAD to pick white…”

Well fret not, grime-fearing friends, for there are ways to properly tackle the mildew, dirt, and gunk that cling to those once sparkling crevices.

First and foremost, avoid wasting money on chemical cleaners that promise to work wonders on tile grout when cheap and healthier solutions can be found at home. No matter what you use, a lot of elbow grease will be involved – so be prepared to scrub! Here’s how to clean grout, so you can enjoy a shiny bathroom and kitchen once more.

Best Ways to Clean Tile Grout

When it comes to cleaning tile grout, you probably already have most of the ingredients on hand. Grab a rag, toothbrush, and some vinegar, and you’re in business.

Vinegar

A simple bottle of vinegar puts those notorious “cleaning miracle” informercials to shame. Either apply it to the grout by itself or dilute it with water. Pour the vinegar along the edges of the tile and let it sit for 10 minutes before using a toothbrush in a circular motion. And if you need an added cleaning punch, look below for how it works with baking soda.

Vinegar + Baking Soda

These two household products combine to create one fantastic grime-fighting duo. Make a paste out of the baking soda by adding a little vinegar. Scrub the grout with the paste and handy-dandy toothbrush, and simply wipe away the residue. Yes, it can be a bit time-consuming, but the results of clean grout are far worth the effort.

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, clean that dirty grout! The high acidity in lemon juice eats away at stubborn stains and discoloration in grout. Leave it on for ten minutes before wiping clean. And bonus: The smell of fresh lemons is a lot better than cleaning solution.

How to Clean Really Tough Grout Stains

If you haven’t cleaned your grout lines in years (don’t be embarrassed; life gets busy), it’s time to bring in the big guns. With a few extra drops of this and a few scrubs of that, you can see shiny tile edges in no time. Put on some sunglasses; your bathroom and kitchen are about to shine bright. Here are the best ways to clean grout, when the stubborn gunk doesn’t want to leave.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Thanks to its oxidizing properties, this liquid makes a spectacular cleaning solution for many household needs, but especially for grout cleaning. It’s much safer than chlorine bleach or ammonia-based products, and, best of all, less expensive. Make a solution of half hydrogen peroxide and half water. Spray the grout and let sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing away with the toothbrush.

White Shoe Polish

If these other solutions don’t seem to do the trick and hopes of reaching that white grout perfection are waning, time to get creative. Apply white shoe polish to the grout and let it sit overnight. The polish will easily wipe off the tiles the next day, but the color will remain on the grout.

Follow these cheap and easy solutions and you’ll be on your way to pristine looking floors in no time. Just remember – keep your grout-cleaning toothbrush separate from your own!

And of course, if you want to skip the work and still enjoy perfect tiles, give The Maids a call. With over 30 years in the business, we know how to clean tile grout, along with everything else. Give us a call at 1-800-THE-MAIDS for a free price quote today!