Seven Tips on How to Clean Stained Grout

Tile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout is a different issue. Because of its typically light coloring and porous composition, grout is prone to staining. In a tiled entry or mudroom, dirt and grime are the usual culprits, while spills are more likely to blame in the kitchen. In the bathroom, homeowners must battle mold and mildew. Follow these seven tips on how to clean stained grout.

Before You Start Cleaning, Do This

Before you begin, remember that it’s always best to start with the mildest cleaning solution with any cleaning project. If you have doubts about a grout cleaner, test it in a hidden spot—under an appliance in the kitchen, say, or behind the toilet in the bathroom.

Tools and Materials to Get Before You Begin

Stiff-bristled brush
Vinegar
Spray bottle
Baking soda
Hydrogen peroxide
Oxygen bleach
Grout cleaner
Chlorine bleach
Steam mop

The following list goes from the mildest to strongest of suggestions for cleaning grout.

1. Scrub Dirty Grout With Plain Warm Water and a Stiff-Bristled Brush

If you don’t already have a brush for the job, most home centers and hardware stores carry an assortment of options specifically designed to clean grout. Spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then let dry.

2. Spray the Grout Areas with Equal Parts Vinegar and Warm Water for Several Minutes Before Wiping It

For heavier dirt and mild stains, turn to vinegar, a trusty old standby for many household chores. Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray on the grout, let it stand for five minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.

3. Apply a Baking Soda Paste and Spray With Vinegar

Cover grout lines with baking soda and water paste, then sprinkle on the vinegar solution listed above to bring even more cleaning power to the party. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush and rinse with plain water.

4. Pour on Some Hydrogen Peroxide

Moderate stains may require you to use hydrogen peroxide, which is available in most drug stores. You can use the product straight or apply a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

5. Apply Oxygen Bleach for up to 15 Minutes

For tougher stains and grimy grout, use oxygen bleach as a grout cleaner. This cleaner is powdered; best-selling brands include OxiClean, Clorox OxiMagic, and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus. Whichever product you choose to clean grout, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Then, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application carefully. Generally, you will want to let the oxygen bleach solution work for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water so that the dirt doesn’t resettle into the grout lines.

6. Steam Clean the Worst of Grout Stains

The best steam mops can be an effective and environmentally-friendly method of cleaning grout or many hard surfaces throughout the house. Bissell, Oreck, and Hoover all make steam cleaners for residential use.

7. To Keep Grout Clean and Stain-Free, Spray it With Vinegar and Wipe it Down Once a Week

You can also wipe grout with alcohol to keep mold and mildew at bay. In any case, just a few spritzes and wipes a week can save you a lot of time and effort cleaning, preserving the attractive appearance of your home in the process.