There’s just something special about having beautiful tile in your home. Sure, wood flooring is gorgeous, (and my home has a lot of it), but tile adds a unique touch. While you hear time and time again how durable tile is, the one aspect you have to keep up with is cleaning the grout. Luckily, I’ve mastered exactly how to clean grout with two ingredients.
Today, I want to talk about how to clean grout without using any harsh chemicals. With a little bit of elbow grease and common household items, your grout will look good as new.
What Is Grout?
First things first, let’s talk about what grout actually is. Grout is a paste-like material that goes in between your tiles and fills the gaps to hold everything together. It’s usually a mixture of cement, water, and sand, and comes in different colors.
Typically, the lighter the grout color you choose, the dirtier it will get. I’ve always gone for a medium-dark grout color, which isn’t my personal favorite, but it helps conceal grime until it’s time to clean it again.
Why Clean Grout?
I’ve asked myself this exact question before. Well, here’s the thing – grout can get pretty gross if you neglect it. Over time, it will accumulate dirt, grime, and even mold. Not only does this look gross after a while, but it can also be unhygienic and even cause damage to your tiles if left unchecked.
99% of the time, the grout you’re going to want to clean is in your tile flooring. Yes, I do occasionally clean my tile backsplash to remove any grease, but this space is not going to receive even close to the amount of debris your flooring will.
Non-Toxic vs Store Bought Grout Cleaner
When it comes to cleaning grout, you can choose to go with a non-toxic or store bought option. Non-toxic cleaners, made from simple ingredients like baking soda and vinegar, are gentler and safer for your health. They’re also usually more budget-friendly.
On the other hand, store-bought grout cleaners work way quicker and you usually don’t have to let them sit. However, many contain really harsh chemicals that can be harmful if not used properly. If you are choosing to go with a store-bought option, make sure to check that it is stone-friendly. In nicer tile specifically, you can stain the pattern with these cleaning agents. If needed, hire a grout cleaning service before damaging your beautiful tile.
Here are some of the grout cleaning options available if you’re okay using store-bought cleaners:
- Toilet bowl cleaner (crazy, but I swear it works!)
- Clorox bleach pen (use only with white tile and grout)
My Grout Cleaning Solution Recipe
I know the title of this makes my grout cleaning solution recipe sound super complicated, but it’s only two ingredients – baking soda and hydrogren peroxide of vinegar (depending on what you have in your home).
You’ll need two parts baking soda for every one part of the liquid you choose. Mix them together until you get a paste-like consistency and the goal is to find a balance between liquid and solid.
I want to make a note, if your tiles are coarse like marble, use water instead of vinegar because vinegar can cause a stain. Other than that, this cleaning solution is a zero-fuss recipe that is safe to use anywhere.
What If My Grout Just Won’t Come Clean?
- Use a grout pen
- Try a scrubbing drill bit
- Consider re-grouting
If you’ve scrubbed as much as you possibly can and your grout just will not lighten in color, grout pens are a great option to consider. While they aren’t a cleaning agent by any means, think of it as a heavy-duty ink pen that will paint your grout and cover any discolorations you don’t like.
After a long time with tile, I’ve just embraced that certain sections are not going to have that bright white grout anymore. Once I clean it, I go over it with this grout pen from Amazon, and it looks good as new.
My last line of effort with pesky grout lines is using a scrubbing drill bit and a heavy-duty drill to tackle the seemingly-impossible sections. I’ve personally used this Drillbrush Cleaning Kit to not just clean tile, but also shower grime that never seems to go away. I’ve never met grout gunk it couldn’t get rid of.
If your grout is past the point of return, consider re-grouting your tile. Yes, this project sounds messy (and it is), but it’s not nearly as much work as you think it is. I’ve done this several times and all you need to do is remove the old grout and replace it.
How To Clean Grout: My Non-Toxic Cleaning Routine
- Prep the area
- Create the cleaning solution
- Apply the solution to the grout
- Scrub!
- Rinse
Step 1: Prep the Area
Start by preparing the area you want to clean. Grab a stiff bristle brush, like an old toothbrush, and some hot water. Spray the grout with the hot water and then scrub along the grout lines in circular motions. This will help loosen up any surface dirt and grime.
Step 2: Create the Cleaning Solution
Next, it’s time to make your cleaning solution. You’ll need two parts baking soda and one part either hydrogen peroxide or vinegar. Mix them together until you get a paste-like consistency. If your tiles are coarse like marble, use water instead of vinegar because vinegar can cause a stain. If you’re dealing with greasy grout (in your kitchen or garage) add a few drops of dish soap to the mix.
Step 3: Applying the Solution to Grout
Spread the cleaning paste onto the grout lines using your brush or a sponge. Make sure to cover all the areas that need cleaning. Then, let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the cleaning solution to work its magic and penetrate deep into the pores of the grout.
Step 4: Scrub!
After letting the solution sit, grab your stiff bristle brush again and start scrubbing along the grout lines. You’ll notice that the dirt and grime start to lift up as you scrub. Keep going until you’ve scrubbed the entire area. This is where the elbow grease comes in!
Step 5: Rinse
Once you’ve scrubbed away all the dirt and grime, it’s time to rinse. Grab a cloth or sponge, dampen it with hot water and a few drops of dish soap, and wipe away the remaining cleaning solution. This will rinse off the tiles and grout, leaving them sparkling clean.
And there you have it – a simple, non-toxic cleaning routine for keeping your grout looking its best. With just a few basic ingredients and some good work, you can keep your tile floors looking fresh and beautiful for years to come.
Do you have any tips for how to clean grout in your home? Let me know in the comments!And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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