A Simple Guide to Clean Grout Like a Professional

The grout in your kitchen and bathroom tiles is porous, which means it retains crumbs, dirt and debris even after you sweep and wipe it clean. The fact that it’s embedded deeper than the surface of the tile makes it even more tricky to clean. A more direct approach is necessary to clean grout properly.

Our kitchen and bath experts at Handyman Connection of Winter Park share a simple, how-to guide to clean grout like a professional.

The Materials You Need

Secure these materials before you start. You can easily find these in your home or local department store. These are:

• water, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide

• a wet cloth and a mixing bowl

• baking soda

• a grout brush (or an old toothbrush)

• grout sealer

Clean and Prepare the Surface

Start by wiping down the tile clean with a wet cloth. 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 it all. At this point, you’re just freeing the loose dirt and debris so they don’t get in the way of the actual grout cleaning.

Mix and Apply the Solution

Now it’s time to make your homemade grout cleaner. 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, mix two parts baking soda with one part vinegar.

For coarse or more fragile tiles, mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide. This solution is “lighter”, but will still effectively clean the grout lines.

Now, using your grout brush or an old toothbrush, apply your solution to the grout lines. Take care when applying vinegar-based solutions. Use small amounts so you don’t accidentally stain the surface of the tile.

Scrub and Seal

Let the solution sit for a few while—around six to eight minutes—then scrub all of the grout lines. You probably won’t get all of the grime off in one sitting, so just rinse the tile and apply the solution again until the grout is 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 cases where this homemade solution can’t clean the grout lines effectively, call our team. Handyman Connection of Winter Park is ready to help you with your kitchen and bath needs. Call us today at (407) 270-2348 to learn more about our services. You may also fill out our online form to request more information about what we offer.