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Closeup of a woman cleaning white tile grout.
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5 from 1 vote

How to Clean Grout

Discover my tried-and-tested process for how to clean grout! After decades of home restoration, I developed this guide for restoring pristine tile surfaces.
Prep Time2 minutes
Active Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 2 minutes
Yield: 1 bathroom
Author: Rachel
Cost: $7

Equipment

Materials

  • Baking Soda
  • Hydrogren Peroxide 12% is more effective, but I have had good luck with 3% too, particularly with marble tile.
  • 1 Bottle Applicator A very small tip makes it easier to control the amount of hydrogen peroxide.

Instructions

Preparation

  • Ensure the area is swept or vacuumed of loose debris. Clean the tile surfaces to remove any grime or water spots. Stone tile should be cleaned with an appropriate cleaner.
    Dirty grout on a printed concrete floor.

For Cleaning Tile Floors

  • Apply Baking Soda to Grout Lines. Fill the grout lines with baking soda, covering them evenly. No need to waste it on the tile surface if that is clean. I tend to brush it into the grout lines and avoid the tile surface.
  • Activate with Hydrogen Peroxide. Fill a small bottle with hydrogen peroxide. Hold the bottle containing hydrogen peroxide directly above the baking soda-covered grout lines. Spray a fine mist or drip the hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda until it is dampened but not overly saturated.
    Man adding peroxide to baking soda to clean tile.
  • Let the Solution Sit. Allow the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture to sit on the grout lines for about 5-10 minutes. The reaction between the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide will create a bubbling effect, helping break up and lift the dirt.
    A hydrogen peroxide solution sitting in grout lines to clean.
  • Scrub the Grout Lines. After the sit time, use the scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines vigorously. Work in small circular motions or back-and-forth strokes to dislodge stubborn grime.
    Man using a scrub brush for cleaning tile grout lines.
  • Rinse and Wipe Clean. Once you have thoroughly scrubbed the grout lines, dampen a clean cloth or sponge with water. Wipe down the tiled surface, including the grout lines, to remove any remaining baking soda residue and loosened dirt. Rinse the cloth or sponge frequently in clean water to prevent spreading dirt or baking soda. It may take a few passes to remove all the baking soda residue.
    A closeup of a hand wiping tile for cleaning.
  • Dry the Surface. Once the grout lines are clean, use a dry cloth or towel to pat the tiled surface dry. The grout may appear darkened from being wet. Allow the area to air dry for about 24 hours before resuming normal use or sealing.
    Before and after of cleaning tile grout lines.

For Cleaning Walls or Showers

  • Have everything ready, including reading all of the instructions, before mixing the cleaning solution. The chemical reaction helps to lift dirt and grime so you will work quickly to apply the paste to the wall.
    Supplies for cleaning tile grout.
  • Mix a Paste. In a small bowl or dish, pour a small amount of baking soda. Pour enough hydrogen peroxide that a damp, but thick paste forms. It's about 1 part hydrogen peroxide to roughly 2 or 3 parts baking soda.
    A hand sized scrub brush with baking soda solution on it for cleaning shower walls.
  • Dip your brush into the baking soda mixture and apply to the wall. You don't need to scrub vigorously at this point, you are just trying to get it into the grout lines.
    Closeup of a hand scrubbing a tile wall.
  • Let the Solution Sit. Allow the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture to sit on the grout lines for about 5-10 minutes. This dwell time helps to loosen dirt and stains for easier removal.
    A cleaning paste solution sitting on white tile.
  • Scrub the Grout Lines. After the sit time, use the scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines vigorously. Work in small circular motions or back-and-forth strokes to dislodge stubborn grime.
    Closeup of a hand scrubbing a tile wall.
  • Rinse and wipe clean. For a shower, you can just spray with a handheld water sprayer to rinse all the residue from the walls or wipe any spots that need a little more pressure.
    Spraying water on a shower wall with a shower head.
  • Dry the Surface. The grout may appear darkened from being wet. Allow the area to air dry for about 24 hours before resuming normal use or sealing.
    Sparkling clean white shower wall with tile niche.

Notes

  • Make sure your baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are FRESH.
  • One of the reasons that hydrogen peroxide and baking soda work so well is the chemical reaction breaks up and raises the dirt, therefore you want to mix them on the tile - NOT AHEAD OF TIME.