How to Clean Grout—And Keep it From Getting Gross Again

You may not know how to clean grout, but it will be obvious when it’s time to learn. What started as crisp white lines between your expertly laid tiles will begin to look yellow and dull—even a dark grout hue can discolor and stain over time. Lucky for you, cleaning grout doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the help of the right tools and this step-by-step guide—which includes instructions for standard cleaning and deep cleaning—you can restore that freshly tiled appearance around your space in no time.What is grout?Why does grout get so gross?Does grout need to be maintained?How to clean groutHow to deep clean groutGrout can use a good cleaning every now and then, no matter the color. Photo: chuckcollier/Getty ImagesWhat is grout?Grout is a paste-like construction material that’s most commonly made from a cement-based powder. Cementitious grout is made from cement, water, aggregate materials, and, depending on your variation, can also include sand. The alternative to cementitious grout is epoxy grout, which is made from epoxy resins and a filler powder. For the purposes of this article, we’ll focus on cementitious grout since it’s the most popular and is widely found in homes across the country.Why does grout get so gross?If you have a tiled surface that started off with crisp white grout lines that are now more of an unsightly yellow, you’re probably wondering how you ended up here. It’s likely not your fault; grout is a porous material, so it can readily absorb liquids, grease, and dirt. If your grout was never properly sealed, it will be more prone to absorbing and showing discolorations. The most common culprits for grout stains are spills, cleaning residue, and mold/mildew buildup. The best way to avoid this is to clean regularly and with proper cleaners.Does grout need to be maintained?All types of grout require regular cleaning, and cement-based grout requires occasional resealing, but the good news is if you keep on top of it, your grout will look better and last longer. This means cleaning up spills immediately and providing adequate ventilation in areas of high humidity (think your bathrooms and kitchens). Other points of maintenance that’ll we’ll cover in more detail are picking the right cleaner and when to reseal your grout. A good general rule of thumb is to avoid using abrasive or harsh cleaners regularly as they may damage the grout and strip away the sealant.How to clean groutIf your grout isn’t too dirty, the steps below should be sufficient for making it shine—and for keeping it clean on a regular basis.WaterCleaner (examples below)Scrub brushDepending on how dirty your shower, floor, or backsplash is, you may find success using just mild dish soap and water. However, grout with more buildup will require a tougher cleaner.While you can use a store-bought option, you can also make a simple solution with common household ingredients. All you need is one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts baking soda, which you’ll mix to form a paste. Ryan Marino, the standards development and research manager for the Tile Council of North America, cautions homeowners to stay away from strong acidic cleaners. So, if going the homemade route, opt for a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (the most common store-bought variety), since its pH is usually around 3 to 4. For extra power, mix a tablespoon of dish soap into the formula.Alkaline cleaners like bleach can also work well but should be used cautiously. “While highly alkaline cleaners may not harm tile or grout when used occasionally, they can strip away sealant from the grout over time, and you may need to eventually rejuvenate your sealant,” Marino explains.Remove any excess debris and dirt by sweeping the surface. You can also use a vacuum or electrostatic cloth (like a Swiffer pad) to pick up as much of the small debris as possible. A clean start will yield better results.Scrub grout with a nylon brush for the most effective clean. boonchai wedmakawandApply your grout cleaner of choice to the the surface. If you’re using the homemade hydrogen peroxide paste, let it sit on the grout for 5 to 10 minutes before scrubbing. Follow any similar instructions as written on the packaging for a store-bought cleaner, too.Once you’ve given the cleaner a moment to work, scrub with a grout brush or similar stiff-bristled nylon brush. If you’re looking to clean a smaller area, an unused toothbrush can also be effective.How to deep-clean groutMost stains should come up with a cleaner and some elbow grease, but if this hasn’t worked, it’s probably time for a deep clean. For this, you’ll clean in stages, moving from one method to the next only if the previous hasn’t worked.Wet-dry vacuumSteam cleanerThe Pink Stuff cleanerBleachWe recommend using a wet-dry vacuum as your first deep-clean method. “The absolute best way to clean grout is to apply the cleaner and then vacuum (shop-vac) up the dirty water. This lifts the dirt off the joint,” Marino says.A wet-vac or steam cleaner can help with the tougher stains. Photo: BanksPhotos/Getty ImagesStardrops The Pink Stuff Miracle All Purpose Cleaning PasteIf the above method didn’t work for you, we recommend The Pink Stuff, an all-purpose cleaning paste, and scrubbing for about 30 seconds. You can wipe away the cleanser, but for an extra clean, use a steam cleaner to expel any remaining dirt and really clear out the crevices of your grout.The final recommended way to clean your grout is with full-strength bleach. You can use regular liquid bleach, but a popular cleaning method involves buying a toilet bowl bleach gel and using the tip of the bottle to perfectly lay down strips of bleach on the grout. You can leave the bleach in place for a minute or so before scrubbing; remember to rinse it away.Reseal or Replace (As Needed)Once you’ve cleaned your grout, consider if it may be time to reseal it. High-traffic areas should be resealed every six months to a year, while low-traffic areas can go 2 to 3 years between sealings. If the methods above didn’t work, it may be time to replace your grout.