How to Clean Tile Grout: The Complete Guide for Bright, Fresh Tiles

Tile grout stains and darkens with age and traffic, often looking grimy long before the surrounding tile. But armed with the right DIY recipes, trusted commercial cleaners, and professional cleaning methods, you can restore your tile grout—on floors or walls—to its former brightness. Even better: keep it cleaner with a little regular maintenance. Here’s a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to cleaning tile grout, featuring homemade solutions, expert tips, and key mistakes to avoid.

Why Grout Gets Dirty (and Stays That Way)

Grout is the porous material that fills the gaps between tiles. Its texture, while excellent for bonding tile, absorbs dirt, grease, soap residue, and moisture—prime conditions for staining and mildew growth, especially in high-traffic kitchens and wet bathrooms. Because grout isn’t glazed like tile, it both attracts and holds onto grime, making regular cleaning vital.

Basic Grout Cleaning: The Gentle Approach for Everyday Dirt

If your grout doesn’t look deeply stained, start with the mildest cleaning method. This preserves the grout’s integrity and prevents unnecessary wear.

• Sweep or vacuum the tile surface to remove loose debris. This prevents grit from scratching your tile during scrubbing.
• Use warm water and a microfiber cloth or mop. For wall tiles, a damp cloth is usually enough.
• If needed, mix a few drops of mild dish soap into a cup of warm water. Dampen a soft brush or cloth with this solution and scrub along the grout lines.
• Rinse the area with clean water, then dry using a clean towel to prevent any residue or water spots.

DIY Grout Cleaners: Easy Recipes for Stubborn Stains

When water and mild soap aren’t enough, try these affordable, effective homemade grout cleaning recipes. Always test on a small, inconspicuous spot to ensure compatibility with your tile and grout type.

Baking Soda and Castile Soap Paste

• Ingredients: Baking soda, Castile soap, water
• Instructions: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the grout lines. In a jar, mix 3 cups water with 1/2 cup of liquid Castile soap. Gently drizzle this mixture onto the baking soda, forming a paste.
• Scrub using a stiff-bristle brush, applying pressure to remove stains and surface dirt. To avoid scratching tile, use circular motions and stay within the grout lines.
• Rinse the area by wiping away the paste residue with a damp cloth, removing all cleaning compounds so residue doesn’t settle back into the grout.
• If needed, freshen up with a diluted vinegar rinse: combine 1/2 cup white vinegar with two or three cups water and wipe the dry, clean grout lines.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide (for tough stains)

• Ingredients: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%), 1 teaspoon mild dish soap
• Blend into a thick paste and apply to grout lines.
• Let sit for 5–10 minutes, then scrub thoroughly.
• Rinse with warm water.

White Vinegar and Baking Soda (for mildew and soap residue)

• Cover the grout lines with a layer of baking soda.
• Spray with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water.
• The mixture will fizz and bubble: this chemical reaction helps dislodge grime and soap scum.
• Once bubbling stops, scrub and rinse clean with water.

Note: Avoid vinegar on natural stone tiles (like marble or travertine), as acid can etch the surface.

Expert-Approved Products for Cleaning Grout

If homemade cleaners aren’t bringing the results you want, it’s time to turn to store-bought solutions—many designed for deep stains, mold, or years of built-up dirt.

• Oxygen bleach powder: Mix according to manufacturer’s directions. Apply to grout, let sit 10–15 minutes, scrub, and rinse.
• Hydrogen peroxide sprays: Effective cleaner for mold and mildew. Spray directly, sit for a few minutes, scrub, and rinse thoroughly.
• Specialist grout cleaners: Products like The Pink Stuff, Grout-Eez, or Zep Grout Cleaner provide a paste or gel for targeted cleaning. Follow label instructions for best results.
• Chlorine bleach solutions: Use only as a last resort for the most stubborn, deeply stained grout or heavy mildew. Ensure the space is well ventilated and never mix bleach with other cleaning agents, especially ammonia or vinegar.

Best Tools for Grout Cleaning

The right tools make grout cleaning more effective and less laborious. Consider these essentials and upgrades:

• Stiff-bristle grout brush or old toothbrush: Perfect for manual scrubbing.
• Electric scrub brush: Provides powered, efficient scrubbing action for larger areas.
• Drill brush attachment: Attaches to a standard drill for powerful, deep cleaning. Popular for restoring blackened grout in entryways or high-use areas.
• Shop vacuum (wet/dry vac): After scrubbing, suctioning up dirty water ensures grime doesn’t settle back into grout lines and leaves no soap residue.
• Microfiber mop or towel: For final wipe down and drying.

Heavy-Duty Methods: Deep Cleaning Grout That’s Severely Stained

Some grout is so stained, especially in old homes or high-traffic areas, that only aggressive cleaning methods will restore it. Here are some powerful options:

• Oxygen bleach soak:
  • Mix oxygen bleach with water as per directions.
  • Apply liberally and let soak for 10–15 minutes.
  • Scrub hard, then rinse thoroughly.
• Drill brush or powered scrubber: For larger rooms, tile floors, or thick stains, these save effort and yield better results than scrubbing by hand.
• Shop vac water extraction: Use after applying cleaners to suck out deep-set dirt from pores in the grout.
• Professional steam cleaning: Hiring or renting a steam cleaner for grout lines provides a chemical-free, deep-cleaning option that destroys mold and lifts embedded dirt.

Grout Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning grout effectively means avoiding some common pitfalls that can damage your tiles or make stains worse.

• Using harsh metal brushes or abrasive pads: These can scratch both grout and tile, leaving permanent marks.
• Excessive bleach or harsh acids: Overuse can cause grout to erode, become brittle, or crumble. Bleach is also dangerous on colored grout or near natural stone tiles.
• Not rinsing thoroughly: Leaving cleaning solutions on grout can attract new dirt quickly or create a sticky residue.
• Mixing cleaning agents: Especially avoid mixing bleach with ammonia or vinegar, as this releases toxic fumes.
• Using excessive water on floors: Water can seep below tiles, weakening adhesives or promoting mold growth beneath the surface.

Preventing Future Grout Stains

Clean grout is easier to maintain than to restore. These preventive steps help keep grout lines in excellent shape and reduce cleaning frequency.

• Seal your grout periodically. Grout sealers block out moisture, stains, and mold. Reseal every 1–2 years—or more often for high-traffic areas.
• Wipe down tiles after use—especially in the bathroom. A quick, daily swipe with a squeegee or towel keeps soap, shampoo, and hard water deposits from settling.
• Mop up kitchen spills fast. Foods, sauces, and grease left to dry make grout harder to clean later.
• Allow good ventilation. Use bathroom fans or open windows to reduce moisture buildup, discouraging mold.

Summary Table: DIY, Store-Bought, and Pro Cleaning Methods

Frequently Asked Questions: Tile Grout Cleaning

What is the best homemade grout cleaner?

A mixture of baking soda and Castile soap creates a gentle yet effective paste for most grout cleaning. For tougher stains, blend hydrogen peroxide and baking soda as a stronger option. Always test homemade cleaners on a small spot first to ensure safety for your tiles and grout.

How often should I clean my grout?

High-traffic or wet areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, benefit from a light cleaning every week, with a more thorough deep clean every few months. Grout in less-used rooms can be cleaned two to three times a year.

Can I use bleach to clean colored grout?

Avoid regular use of bleach on colored grout, as it can cause fading or damage. For color-safe options, choose oxygen bleach or gentler homemade cleaners.

How do I prevent mold in grout?

Good ventilation is key. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms, and quickly dry wet surfaces. Sealing grout lines regularly also helps block out moisture, the main cause of mold growth.

When should I call a professional?

If grout remains dark, crumbles, or shows signs of persistent mold after cleaning, a professional cleaning or re-grouting service may be necessary.