How to Clean Bathroom or Kitchen Tile Grout

Do not use chlorine bleach on colored grout.

Tiles can bring a sense of elegance to a kitchen or bathroom, but the grout between the tiles requires constant maintenance. The soft, porous material attracts dirt like a magnet, and can also become subject to mold, mildew and gradual discoloration. By cleaning your grout regularly, you can prevent these problems from forming and ensure that the surface remains like new for years to come. The less often you clean, the more difficult your job will be.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach
• Rubber gloves
• Spray bottle
• Toothbrush
• Baking soda
• Oxygen bleach

Instructions

For White Grout

1. Mix five parts water with one part bleach. For grout on walls, distribute the mixture into a spray bottle. For grout on floors, you can pour the mixture directly into the grout lines. Always wear protective gloves when handling bleach.

2. Pour or spray the bleach solution onto the grout and let it settle. The bleach will penetrate the porous grout and slowly break down dirt, stains and mildew. Wait approximately 15 minutes before proceeding.

3. Scrub your grout with a clean toothbrush to further loosen the dirt particles. Rinse away the bleach with water and allow the grout to dry. For really old, set-in stains, apply a second coating of diluted bleach and scrub the grout again.

For Colored Grout

1. Pour 1/4 cup of water over 3/4 cup of baking soda and mix until you have a firm paste. You should never use bleach on colored grout, as the color will permanently lighten, but baking soda can make an effective cleaning solution for kitchen and bathroom grout.

2. Apply the paste to your grout and immediately begin scrubbing vigorously with a toothbrush, loosening the dirt particles. Wait approximately 15 minutes and then proceed to the next step.

3. Rinse your colored grout with water to remove the baking soda paste, and then allow the surface to dry. Add a second application of baking soda if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have mold or mildew growing on white grout, the bleach should take care of the problem. If you have mold or mildew growing on colored grout, baking soda may not be strong enough to disinfect properly. In cases of mold on colored grout, try spraying the grout with oxygen bleach. Like peroxide, oxygen bleach is a powerful but color-safe bleaching agent, useful in killing mold and mildew.

References

• Ask the Builder; Removing Mildew from Grout; Tim Carter
• Washington Post; The Secret to Cleaning Grout in Tile Floors; Tim Carter; April 2009
• Merry Maids: House Cleaning Tips
• Good Housekeeping; Cleaning Tinted Grout; Heloise