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Vacuum the grout well when the floor is completely dry. Use the crevice or hose attachment on your vacuum if necessary to remove all the loose dirt. Combine about 1 cup of ammonia with 1 gallon of water in a bucket. Wear gloves to protect your hands and shoes to protect your feet from the ammonia, which can cause serious skin irritation. Use an old toothbrush or a grout brush to apply the solution. Dip the brush in the ammonia mixture, and then scrub the grout gently. Use the mixture sparingly, and remove any excess with a clean cloth or sponge as you go.
Once you're satisfied that the grout is thoroughly clean, use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the dirty ammonia and water. If a wet-dry vacuum is not available, use an old towel to soak up as much of the water as possible, and then discard the towel. Rinse the floor thoroughly with clean water after cleaning, and then remove the water. It's important to remove all traces of ammonia, particularly if you used bleach-based cleaners on the floor. Ammonia and bleach combined release noxious gas which can cause severe poisoning or even death if inhaled. -
According to Rosemary Haley, author of Haley's Hints, a mixture of Borax and lemon juice will remove grime, dirt and mildew from tile grout. Simply combine enough lemon juice with Borax to make a thick paste. Apply a thick coating to the grout with gloved hands, and allow the solution to dry. Scrub away with a toothbrush or grout brush, using a bit of water for easier removal if necessary.
Rinse the floor with clean water once the grout has been thoroughly scrubbed to remove any traces of the borax. Use a mop or wet-dry vacuum cleaner for best results. This grout cleaning method has an added bonus of leaving your bathroom with a lemony fresh smell. Look for Borax, which is a naturally abrasive mineral, in the laundry aisle of your local supermarket. - Baking soda is a gentler way to clean tile grout, but may not work well for extreme dirt, mildew or stains. However, if your grout is only grimy or lightly stained, baking soda will do the trick quite nicely. Combine 3 cups of baking soda with 1 cup of warm water in a large bowl until a thick paste is formed. Scrub the paste into the grout with a stiff-bristled brush, and then rinse well with clean water. Add lemon juice to the mixture, if desired. It will add a bit of natural bleaching power, and leave behind a pleasant scent.
