How to clean tile grout

Grout, the mixture of water, sand, and cement used to secure tiles, is difficult to keep clean. Grout lines easily collect dust, dirt, and stains, and before you realize it, the once-white grout has turned black. You can learn how to clean grout lines to restore their shine and maintain them to reduce the need for frequent cleaning.

Pre-clean the surface. Before using deep cleaning methods, it’s important to clean the entire tile surface first. Wipe down countertops or sweep and mop the floor as usual. This removes dirt on the surface and makes your task a bit easier.

Prepare the cleaning solution. Mix 7 cups of water, 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/3 cup of ammonia, and 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a large bucket or bowl. Stir the ingredients well until the baking soda is completely dissolved.

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. It’s recommended to store the solution in a spray bottle for easy application on the dirtiest spots and for storage. Pour the entire mixture into the spray bottle and shake well.

Spray onto the grout lines. Start by spraying a small area of about 0.1 – 0.2 square meters. Apply the solution evenly over the grout lines. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to allow the solution to soak in.

Begin scrubbing. Use your chosen brush – a stiff brush, toothbrush, or magic eraser are all good options. Scrub with force to loosen the grime from the grout lines.

Wipe off the dirty water. After scrubbing, dirty water will appear on the surface of the tiles. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the dirty water and squeeze it into a separate bucket. This ensures the tile surface is cleaner after scrubbing.

Finish scrubbing the grout lines. Repeat the process for the remaining areas and scrub thoroughly. Focus on removing grime and dark spots from the grout lines to restore the natural white color underneath.

Final wipe down. Once the grout lines are clean, give the entire tile surface a final wipe. Use a multi-purpose cleaner and cloth to wipe down countertops or bathroom surfaces. For floor tiles, you can use a mop and follow up with a dry cloth to finish.

Clean the tiles. Before focusing on scrubbing the grout lines, start by cleaning the tile surface with your preferred cleaner. If you're cleaning floor grout, sweep and mop the floor first. For countertops in the kitchen or bathroom, spray a usual cleaner and wipe them down.

Mix the paste. Combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a paste. The ratio between these two ingredients can be adjusted depending on the desired consistency.

Apply the paste to the grout lines. Use your finger or a toothbrush to spread the paste onto the grout lines. Start with a small area, no more than 0.1-0.2 square meters. Keep the consistency of the paste thick and ensure it covers the grout lines completely. Let the paste sit for about 5-10 minutes.

Start scrubbing. You can use a small brush, like a toothbrush (an electric toothbrush works best), to scrub the grout lines. Press firmly on each small area to loosen dirt and stains. If the grout lines are still dirty, apply more paste and scrub again after allowing it to sit for a few minutes.

Complete the entire scrubbing area. Continue applying the paste to the grout lines and scrubbing. Work slowly to ensure all grout lines are thoroughly cleaned.

Wipe down the tiles. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining paste from the tiles. Finish by wiping the tile surface as usual with a multi-purpose cleaner for countertops or a mop with soap for the floors.

Wipe down the tiles. Clean the tile surface to remove any debris and dust that might make scrubbing the grout lines more difficult. Follow your usual cleaning routine by sweeping and mopping the floor or spraying a cleaner and wiping down the countertops.

Prepare the solution. Oxygen bleach powder is a safe compound that helps dissolve dirt and bacteria while whitening grout lines. Mix the oxygen bleach powder with warm water in a 1:1 ratio and stir until dissolved.

Pour the solution onto the grout. Choose a small area, about 0.1-0.2 square meters, to begin scrubbing and pour the cleaning solution onto it. Ensure the solution covers the entire grout line; using a spray bottle can make this step easier. Let the solution sit for about 15-20 minutes.

Start scrubbing. Once the bleach has soaked in for the proper amount of time, begin scrubbing the grout lines to remove dirt and stains. Use a small brush like a toothbrush to scrub the grout. You can apply more bleach to keep the area moist and continue the cleaning process.

Wipe away the dirty water. Use a dry cloth to wipe away the dirty water that has pooled on the tile surface after scrubbing. Occasionally wring out the cloth when it becomes wet. This will help complete the cleaning process more effectively.

Continue cleaning the grout lines. Repeat the process of spraying bleach onto the grout lines and scrubbing until you've covered the entire tiled area. For particularly stubborn stains, allow the bleach to soak for an hour or longer. The longer it sits, the easier it will be to scrub the stains away.

Finish scrubbing. Do a final wipe by cleaning as you normally would. This step will remove any remaining bleach and dirt residue, restoring the grout lines to their original, shiny appearance.

Clean up immediately if liquids spill on the tiles. Fruit juices such as cranberry or orange juice can leave stains if they sit on the grout for several hours. As soon as any liquid spills onto the floor, use a damp cloth to wipe up the mess.

• If a stain remains, you can pour a little hydrogen peroxide on it, wait a minute for it to soak in, and then wipe with a clean cloth.
• Dry substances like coffee grounds, sand, and other solid materials can also stain grout if left on the floor too long. Be sure to sweep up any spills immediately after they occur.

Address small stains regularly. To avoid the need for frequent deep cleaning, tackle small stains as soon as they appear. You can use the same cleaning solutions as for deep cleaning but in a spray bottle to handle smaller areas. You can also try alternative methods to remove small stains, such as:

• Using a baking soda paste. Mix baking soda with a little water to create a paste, apply it to the stained grout, and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub with an old toothbrush to clean it.
• Using white toothpaste. Squeeze a small amount of white toothpaste into the stained grout lines, rub it in with your finger, and after a few minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush. Wipe with a clean, damp cloth afterward.
• Using a pencil eraser. Small stains can be effectively treated with a pencil eraser, yielding surprisingly good results. Opt for a white eraser to avoid the eraser’s color transferring to the grout.

Maintain ventilation. Mold tends to affect the grout lines in bathrooms due to the persistent dampness and steam present for long periods. After a shower or bath, make sure to turn on the exhaust fan and dry the grout lines to prevent mold buildup.

Use grout sealant. Once a year, you should seal the grout lines with a grout sealer to prevent liquids from quickly penetrating the tiny pores in the grout and to help prevent mold growth in your bathroom. Grout sealers can be purchased at hardware stores, and you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.

Color the grout lines. Keeping grout white can be a challenge in practice. If you're used to coloring your hair, or if your kids enjoy drawing in the kitchen, or simply don't want to put in the effort to maintain white grout, you might consider using grout dye. You can choose a color that matches the tile or a completely different color to create a contrasting effect.

Know when to replace the grout. Over time, grout can crack, become brittle, and degrade further as moisture seeps in. Replacing old grout is worth the effort as it makes cleaning easier and helps prevent mold growth.

• Always remember to open windows and ensure proper ventilation in the room while cleaning the grout.
• Phosphoric acid, available at home improvement stores, can also be used for cleaning grout lines. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and handle with caution.