Grout Cleaning Hacks

Welcome to my article about the best grout cleaning hacks to keep your tiles looking spick and span! Let’s dive right into the best methods for cleaning grout.

Grout Cleaning Hacks and Tips

Here are a few different methods and hacks for grout cleaning that will keep your grout as clean as the tiles around it!

Tip: Always spot test any new recipe or cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous section of grout first.

Steam Cleaning – Our #1 Method

Steam cleaning is one of the most effective techniques for grout cleaning as it doesn’t require any harsh chemicals that can damage your tiles or the environment.

All you have to do is hold the steamer over the grout for a few moments. The steam will penetrate every little nook and cranny on the grout’s surface and loosen up any dirt or grime that might be hiding there.

Then it’s as simple as wiping off the dirt with a wash cloth and warm water.

The trick is to steam and wipe as you go, as the dirt is most likely to come off just after it’s been freshly steamed, before it’s had a chance to dry again.

Not only is a steamer great for cleaning grout, but you can also use it to clean a variety of other hard surfaces around your home, making it a versatile and handy tool to have in your laundry.

You can view the best steamers on Amazon here!

Water and Brush

Using simple warm water is another safe and easy way to remove the dirt that’s collected on the grout between the tiles.

You’ll also need a stiff-bristled brush, which you should be able to find at any home center or hardware store in your area.

There are even a few brushes on the market that are made for this specific purpose.

For this method, pour some warm water into a spray bottle and spray it onto the grout lines. Give it a minute to soak into the grime.

Then take the stiff-bristled brush and scrub the grout lines using a circular motion.

Once it is clean, you can wipe it dry. You can repeat this process as often as needed to get your grout clean and back to its original color.

Vinegar and Water

If the stains in your grout are too tough for simple water to handle, you can try adding some vinegar for a stronger cleaning solution.

Vinegar is great for all types of household chores, plus it is cheap to buy, so it’s easy to keep a large supply on hand.

For this mixture, fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. Spray this solution onto the grout.

Leave it for about five minutes to loosen the dirt, then scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush. Then wipe it clean, and repeat this process if needed.

If the smell of vinegar is too strong for you, you can add your favorite essential oils to give it a more pleasant odor. You can also use fruit peels for this if you don’t have any essential oils on hand.

Baking Soda Paste

Baking soda is another great option for cleaning grout. It is quite powerful but won’t cause damage to the grout, so you can use it as often as needed.

For this method, mix some baking soda with water to make a paste. Spread this paste over the grout until you’ve covered all the dirty areas.

Then take the vinegar and water mixture I described above and spray it over the paste.

This combination will start to foam, so leave it for a few minutes to allow the reaction to penetrate into the grime and loosen it up.

Then simply scrub the grout with a brush and use plain water to rinse the area clean.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is great for those stains that need something a bit stronger than the above methods.

It is fairly cheap and available at any drug store. You can pour it directly onto the grout or combine it with baking soda to make a paste for even stronger cleaning power.

Give it a few minutes to loosen up the grime, then wipe it away.

Homemade Grout Cleaner Recipes

Making grout cleaner at home is a great way to reduce toxins in your household and care for the environment at the same time!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes made from simple household items that will help keep your grout squeaky clean.

Lemon and Vinegar

lemon and vinegar grout cleaner

For this cleaner, you’ll need to combine 3 cups of water, ½ cup of baking soda, 1/3 cup of fresh lemon juice, and ¼ cup of white vinegar.

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, then spray it on the grout. Allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes, then scrub the grout clean.

Epsom Salt and Dish Soap

This is another effective cleaning solution that only requires a few ingredients, including a cup of Epsom salts, ½ a cup of baking soda, and ¼ cup of your favorite liquid dish soap.

Mix these ingredients, then scoop them onto the grout. Rub it using a brush or cloth until the grout is clean, then rinse it with plain water.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

This is a rather simple recipe that only includes two ingredients that you likely already have in your home. You don’t even need to combine them first.

Instead, measure out a cup each of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Then sprinkle the baking soda onto the discolored areas of grout to cover it completely.

Then spray the peroxide over the baking soda until it is wet. Leave the mixture for about ten minutes, then wipe it away using a damp cloth.

Lemon, Salt, Baking Soda, and Essential Oils

This mixture isn’t just effective, it leaves your bathroom smelling fresh and clean as well.

It includes a few more ingredients than some of the other options but they are likely items you already have on hand.

These include ½ of a cup of vinegar, ¾ of a cup of baking soda, ¼ of a cup of fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of liquid dish soap, 3 tablespoons of salt, and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.

To make this recipe, combine all of the ingredients in a large bucket or bowl. It will likely foam quite a bit, so mix them slowly and carefully.

Then pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply it wherever you need it. Give it a few minutes to soak in, then scrub the grout.

Once it’s clean, wipe the area to remove any remaining residue.

Washing Soda and Vinegar

To make this cleaning solution, you need a gallon of water, ¼ of a cup of washing soda, ¼ of a cup of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of dish soap.

In a large bucket, mix the washing soda, vinegar, and dish soap. Then slowly add the water to the mixture.

Once all the ingredients are combined, pour them into a spray bottle and spray it wherever it is needed. Leave it for a few minutes, then scrub the area.