You may not know how to clean grout, but it will be obvious when it’s time to learn. What started as crisp white lines between your expertly laid tiles will begin to look yellow and dull—even a dark grout hue can discolor and stain over time. Lucky for you, cleaning grout doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the help of the right tools and this step-by-step guide—which includes instructions for standard cleaning and deep cleaning—you can restore that freshly tiled appearance around your space in no time.
In this article
What is grout?
Grout is a paste-like construction material that’s most commonly made from a cement-based powder. Cementitious grout is made from cement, water, aggregate materials, and, depending on your variation, can also include sand. The alternative to cementitious grout is epoxy grout, which is made from epoxy resins and a filler powder. For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on cementitious grout since it’s the most popular and is widely found in homes across the country.
Why does grout get so gross?
If you have a tiled surface that started off with crisp white grout lines that are now more of an unsightly yellow, you’re probably wondering how you ended up here. It’s likely not your fault; grout is a porous material, so it can readily absorb liquids, grease, and dirt. If your grout was never properly sealed, it will be more prone to absorbing and showing discolorations. The most common culprits for grout stains are spills, cleaning residue, and mold/mildew buildup. The best way to avoid this is to clean regularly and with proper cleaners.
Does grout need to be maintained?
All types of grout require regular cleaning, and cement-based grout requires occasional resealing, but the good news is if you keep on top of it, your grout will look better and last longer. This means cleaning up spills immediately and providing adequate ventilation in areas of high humidity (think your bathrooms and kitchens). Other points of maintenance that’ll we’ll cover in more detail are picking the right cleaner and when to reseal your grout. A good general rule of thumb is to avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaners regularly as they may damage the grout and strip away the sealant.
How to clean grout
If your grout isn’t too dirty, the steps below should be sufficient for making it shine—and for keeping it clean on a regular basis.
- Water
- Cleaner (examples below)
- Scrub brush
Depending on how dirty your shower, floor, or backsplash is, you may find success using just mild dish soap and water. However, grout with more buildup will require a tougher cleaner.
While you can use a store-bought option, you can also make a simple solution with common household ingredients. All you need is one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda, which you’ll mix to form a paste. Ryan Marino, the standards development and research manager for the Tile Council of North America, cautions homeowners to stay away from strong acidic cleaners. So, if going the homemade route, opt for a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (the most common store-bought variety), since its pH is usually around 3 to 4. For extra power, mix a tablespoon of dish soap into the formula.
Alkaline cleaners like bleach can also work well but should be used cautiously. “While highly alkaline cleaners may not harm tile or grout when used occasionally, they can strip away sealant from the grout over time, and you may need to eventually rejuvenate your sealant,” Marino explains.
Remove any excess debris and dirt by sweeping the surface. You can also use a vacuum or electrostatic cloth (like a Swiffer pad) to pick up as much of the small debris as possible. A clean start will yield better results.
