How to Clean Grout

Floor tile is beautiful and can add character to any home. Nothing can destroy that beauty quicker than dirty grout. If you spill something on your tile floor or notice a spill, clean it immediately. It's much easier to stop a stain than to get one out! If a stain lingers, however, you can still restore the beauty of your tile floor--with a little extra work. Before you start, get gloves and if you are going to be working with strong cleaners, make sure that you have protective glasses and a well-ventilated area.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Commercial grout cleaner
• Gloves
• Stiff brush
• Grout sealer
• Hydrogen peroxide

1. Mix equal parts water with vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray it on the grout. After letting it sit for five minutes, use a stiff brush to scrub. Always scrub in circles.

2. Make a baking soda paste with a little bit of water. Rub it into the dirty area and let it set for a few minutes before scrubbing. Again, use a stiff brush and scrub in circles.

3. Try other household cleaners like Comet, Mr. Clean, or a shower cleaner. Avoid products that contain bleach on colored grout; it will remove the color.

4. Oxygen bleach can be an effective grout cleaner. You purchase this in powder form and mix it with water. It will not harm colored grout and can he allowed to soak into the grout before being scrubbed and cleaned up. When using this you should let it sit for up to an hour before cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you have removed the stains, regularly clean your grout with vinegar and water to keep it clean.

• If possible, start with natural products and work you way to stronger chemicals. If you can clean your grout effectively with baking soda or vinegar, there's no point in breathing in the fumes from strong chemicals.

• Always follow the instructions on labels of cleaning products that you buy. Never mix cleaners; toxic fumes could result.