Dirty grout is one of the most annoying problems in any bathroom, kitchen or mudroom. If you don’t know what grout is, it’s the pasty substance that tends to fill up the gaps between tiles. It can be a hard thing to clean, especially if you don’t know how to do it right. Besides, you can’t just clean grout with anything you want. As a matter of fact, poor cleaning techniques may make the problem even worse. 

Although there are a number of store-bought solutions that you can use, there are still a lot of homemade solutions that can deliver results. 

In this post, we will show you the best ways to clean grout and make your tiling look great! 

Vinegar

Vinegar and baking soda is a great combination to clean grout. Source: Decoist
Vinegar and baking soda is a great combination to clean grout. Source: Decoist 

Vinegar is one of the most popular cleaning agents at home and it can clean a whole lot of things. But it may not be the right option to use for tiles. This is because vinegar is acidic and we all know that a majority of tiles are made using porcelain, and acidic substances may corrode porcelain. 

Despite this, you can reduce the potential effects of vinegar on your tiles by diluting it with water. Add some baking soda as well to weaken some of the most active properties in the vinegar. Once this solution is ready, simply spray it around the grout and scrub gently using a toothbrush. It should be able to get rid of the dirt. But in case you are not sure about vinegar, keep reading. We have a few other techniques you can use.

Hot Water

Hot water is a simple solution but it’s also quite effective. The only thing you need here is a scrub and a bowl of hot water. However, sometimes the extent of the dirt may make hot water pretty much ineffective. 

In case it’s been a while since the grout in your home got some cleaning, it may be a good idea to mix up the hot water with some hydrogen peroxide, a teaspoon of dish soap, and baking soda. This will make the solution more effective in dealing with tough stains. Just apply the solution all over the grout and let it rest for a few minutes. After that, scrub using a brush and then rinse with a lot of water.

Dish Soap with Vinegar

Dish soap is also a great idea to clean grout. Source: Woman’s Day
Dish soap is also a great idea to clean grout. Source: Woman’s Day 

As we have already shown you above, using vinegar alone to clean up grout can be very aggressive. But if you combine it with dish soap you won’t have anything to worry about. Here are the steps:

  1. Start by heating up the vinegar for about 60 seconds in the microwave. 

  2. Add dish soap and mix thoroughly. 

  3. Once the solution is fully mixed up, use a spray bottle to apply it around the grout. 

  4. Let it rest for a minute or two and scrub away using a toothbrush.

Bleach

Bleach is a very powerful cleaning agent so it is advisable to use it with care to avoid damaging your tiling. A good rule would be to use it sparingly once every month. Make sure you dilute it with plenty of water too. 

It is also important to note that bleach cleaning will not last long in areas that get a lot of water. For example, a simple application of bleach on bathroom tiles can easily get rid of any dirt and make the walls look sparkling. But as soon as they are dredged in water, the effects of bleach will start to wear off. In that case, it is better to use bleach when cleaning kitchen floors or any other tiled areas that don’t get a soaking every now and then.

Keeping grout clean can have a huge effect on how your tiling looks. If you don’t have the time or patience to tackle this task, then request a free quote from a professional