Grout is basically what attaches your tiles to the floor or wall, but it can quickly become a household nuisance once it accumulates dirt and soap scum over time. The easiest and fastest way to clean grout without scrubbing is a simple vinegar and lemon solution. However, there are many more methods. Here are ten easy cleaning solutions to clean grout without damaging it.
Chlorine Bleach
Since you’ll be using this solution in its concentrated form, we recommend using it cautiously. We mean using it on small spots instead of over the entire surface. Cleaning grout with bleach is suitable for tough stains when cleaning tile grout.
Chlorine bleach is a harsh solution, so it isn’t just capable of discoloring your grout. It can also stain your curtains, towels, and rugs if it comes in contact with them.
To use chlorine bleach:
- Apply the solution in its concentrated form to your grout
- Leave it for a few minutes
- Wipe it off with a clean and dry cloth.
Alkaline Cleaner
Alkaline cleaner for grout is a store-bought grout cleaner. They usually have varying concentration levels and mostly come with usage instructions.
Alkaline Cleaners work by breaking the surface tension. They clean grease stains from grout quickly without any scrubbing.
The usage instructions on the back of the product are very helpful because it lets you know how long you should let the grout cleaner sit before rinsing it off. Most alkaline cleaners require a working time period ranging from 5 to 10 minutes. After this time window, you should rinse the solution off your tile.
Steam Cleaner
Steam cleaners are a chemical-free method to clean grout without scrubbing. They combine high pressure and hot water to clean tile grout stains off your bathroom tiles.
For your high-pressure steam grout cleaner to be effective in cleaning grout, the temperature of the steam it releases has to be up to 93°C. To use the steam cleaner, hold the handle up to the grout lines and move it forward and backward many times. This will soften the grout stains.
The steam may not ooze out consistently, so we advise that you move your steam cleaner slowly to ensure a good flow of steam is released on the grout.
If your steam cleaner comes with a bristle attachment, we recommend letting the steam do a significant part of the grout cleaning task. This is because excess pressure can wear out the brush. A steam cleaner works great to clean grout best with minimal scrubbing.
Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is one of the best grout cleaning options for stubborn stains. It comes in powdered form, so we recommend dilution before usage to clean grout and revitalize bathroom tiles.
To clean tile grout with oxygen bleach you need to put 1½ tablespoons of powdered oxygen bleach in 1 gallon of warm water and mix thoroughly.
Now, pour a sufficient quantity of the solution over the grout. Ensure it floods the grout lines.
Let the solution sit for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing the solution off your tile grout.
Vinegar Solution
I think this is the best homemade grout cleaner. It is the faster and easiest way to clean dirty grout and besides, is environmentally friendly! To make a vinegar solution, you’ll require the following:
- Vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
I also like to add a bit of lemon.
Follow the steps below to make and use the vinegar mixture:
- Get 3½ cups of hot water and mix it with lemon juice from one-half of your lemon.
- Then mix this with 43 grams (about three tablespoons) of white vinegar to have your vinegar mixture.
- Spray this solution over the stained grout and leave it for a few minutes.
- Then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Vinegar, Hot Water & Baking Soda
For cleaning grout with baking soda and vinegar, mix a half cup of baking soda, a half cup of white vinegar, and a half cup of hot water. Then spray this mixture on your floor tiles where the grout stain is and leave it for a few minutes. Then dry it with a clean cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda
Cleaning grout with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is great for loosening up dirt and cutting through elbow grease.
To use this for cleaning grout mix equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to form a baking soda paste. For best results, you can throw a dish soap in the hydrogen peroxide & baking soda mix.
Then, apply this mixture to your tile floors (where the stained grout is).
Leave this paste on the grout lines for about 10 minutes and wipe it off with a moist cloth.
Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner
It is not recommended to use toilet bowl cleaner on grout if you have a marble floor as it could destroy the surface of your tiles. However, depending on your bathroom tiles, you can use a small amount of Clorox toilet bowl cleaner on grout. To use it:
- Apply the toilet bowl cleaner to your grout lines.
- Ensure you move quickly while applying it to maintain a straight line and keep your flow even.
- This solution isn’t as strong as the above-mentioned options, so we recommend leaving it for about 30 minutes.
- After this time window, wipe it off with a moist cloth.
- Rinse the tile floors to get rid of the remaining solution.
Grout Sealer and Colorant
While other options focus on cleaning dirty grout lines, this option is about preventing loose dirt from accumulating on your grout lines in the first place.
Apply grout sealant on your grout lines to seal them and prevent bacteria and moisture from entering every pore in your grout lines. It also has another function, which is to re-color your grout.
Alcohol, Tea Tree Oil & Vinegar
This is one of the most reliable grout cleaners for your shower walls. You’ll need the following ingredients to make this solution:
- One tablespoon of rubbing alcohol
- White vinegar (2 cups)
- Tea tree essential oil (50 drops)
- Spray bottle
To mix and use, follow the below steps to clean floor grout:
- Mix all these proportions thoroughly inside a spray bottle by shaking it well.
- Spray the solution on the affected grout lines.
- Leave it for 30 minutes.
- Wipe it off with a wet cloth. Alternatively, you can leave the stain to dissolve without wiping it off.
P.S: When your clean grout with tea tree essential oil, we recommend opening your windows and wearing a mask to avoid a chemical reaction.
