How to Effectively Clean Grout

The porous nature of grout makes it tricky to clean. On tile floors, grout often retains crumbs, dirt and other debris even after sweeping. The fact that grout lines are embedded slightly deeper than the surface means you can’t just wipe it clean.

Our experts discuss how to clean grout effectively.

What You Need

Secure a few things before you start. You can easily find these in your home or at your local department store:

• a wet cloth and a mixing bowl

• baking soda

• water, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide

• a grout brush (or an old toothbrush)

• grout sealer

Preparing the Surface

Start by wiping down the tile with a wet cloth. Your goal here is to remove the visible dirt, dust and general grime on its surface. Make it a point to clean any stain buildups too. You might be able to clean some dirt on the grout, but don’t fret if you don’t get them all; you’re still cleaning the tile at this stage.

Mix Your Solution

Next, make the solution to clean the grout themselves. The cleaning solution depends on the state of your tile grout. For general dirtiness, simply mix two parts baking soda with one part water. For grout lines that are stained or discolored, you’ll want to mix two parts baking soda with one part vinegar. Finally, for coarse or more fragile tiles, mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide.

Applying the Solution

Using the grout brush or an old toothbrush, apply the paste to the grout lines. If you’re using the vinegar-based solution, take care when applying it. Use small amounts so that you don’t accidentally stain the tile.

Scrubbing and Sealing

Let the paste sit for a few minutes—around five to eight minutes—then scrub all of the grout lines. You probably won’t get all of the grime and dirt off in one sitting, so rinse the tile and apply the solution again until the grout lines are completely clean. Once you’re satisfied with the state of the grout, let it dry for 24 hours, then apply the sealer to preserve it.

For trickier grout line cleaning, we recommend giving our team from Handyman Connection of Golden a call. We’re also more than prepared to help you with all of your bathroom needs. Call us today at (303) 848-2752 to learn more about our services or request a an estimate from us.