Key takeaways
Stains and discoloration soak into grout and are difficult to remove
Oxygen bleach is an excellent solution for cleaning grout and lifting stains
Test any grout cleaner on a small patch before using it on a large surface
DIY facts
Skill level: Easy Cost: $25 Cleaning time: 1 hour Tools needed:
Rubber gloves
Safety glasses
Grout brush and pole
Sponge
Clean rags
Oxygen bleach
Bucket
You’ve tried everything…elbow grease and dish soap, baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide. Nothing seems to clean that grimy grout.
Cleaning grout is one of the most frustrating household chores. Many products claim to do the job better and faster. Yet no matter how hard you scrub, these cleaners barely make a difference. Is there anything that can get grout dirt out?
Yes! Read on to learn about three grout-cleaning strategies that really work.
Why does grout get grimy?
Grout fills the spaces between ceramic tiles—one of the most popular surfaces for countertops, backsplashes, floors, bathroom walls, and showers. In 2019, a staggering 3 billion square feet of ceramic tile was sold in the U.S. Grout is often dyed a specific color to match different shades of tile.
While tiles can stand up to spills, grit, and foot traffic, the grout between them is another story. Made from a rough, porous cement and water mixture, grout is like a giant sponge. It absorbs dirt, grime, stains, soap scum, mold, mildew—anything that comes into contact with it.
Everything that glides off tile lands on the grout and soaks in. Even clean surfaces look dirty when surrounded by grubby grout. Fortunately, cleaning grout usually isn’t a big deal, if you know how the pros do it.
“Many DIYers can clean, seal, and restore grout themselves with some knowledge and hard work,” according to the North American Tile Cleaning Organization (NATCO). In many cases, however, “it may be more convenient—and save time and energy—to hire a professional.”
How to clean tile grout yourself
Not all grout cleaning projects are alike. Scrubbing with an old toothbrush and mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide might work for removing a small grout stain. But it’s not a good choice for cleaning an entire floor.
If you’re serious about grout clean-up, consider one or more of these proven methods. They have the cleaning power to solve most ceramic or porcelain-tile grout problems:
Light-to-medium stains: Oxygen bleach
Medium-to-heavy stains: Commercial grout cleaners
Stubborn stains: Steam cleaning
The general approach to cleaning grout—or anything else: Use the least caustic or noxious cleaner. The goal is to clean successfully but avoid damaging the surface or exposing your household to unnecessary chemicals.
With this in mind, first try oxygen bleach.
Oxygen bleach for cleaning grout
Oxygen bleach is not the same as chlorine bleach. It’s a natural, organic powder—made from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide—that does not whiten the way chlorine bleach does. For this reason, you can safely use oxygen bleach on both white and colored grout.
You can find oxygen bleach online and through home improvement centers under such brand names as OxiClean and Stain Solver. When mixed with water, the bleach releases oxygen molecules that break through stains. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using oxygen bleach products.
Pro tip: After mixing with water, oxygen bleach remains active for only a few hours, so only mix what you need.
For best results using oxygen bleach on a countertop or floor, let it sit on the surface for about 15 minutes to penetrate and release stains. This will not work on a wall.
Test the bleach solution on a small, out-of-sight area before doing an entire surface. Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when working with oxygen bleach. And mask-off adjacent surfaces so you don’t splash or track the solution on them.
Using oxygen bleach, step-by-step:
Sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the surface you’ll be cleaning.
Mix the oxygen bleach powder with hot water in quantities specified by label directions and stir until completely dissolved.
Pour the bleach solution onto floor tile. If you’re cleaning grout on a wall, apply it along grout lines with a grout brush.
Allow solution to soak (dwell) on the surface for 15 minutes, or time specified by label directions. On a wall, reapply if necessary to keep grout areas wet with the liquid.
Using a grout brush, thoroughly scrub all grout lines and surfaces.
Use a wet, clean rag to wipe the dirt and grime from the grout.
Rinse the surface with clear water.
Allow to dry.
Repeat if necessary.
Use a grout-cleaning brush mounted on a pole to thoroughly scrub grout lines. Illustration: © HomeTips.com
Commercial grout cleaner
Commercial grout cleaners are available online, at tile stores, and home improvement centers. These products are designed specifically for cleaning grout and, in some cases, ceramic tile. They’re not meant for use on stone. One example of a heavy-duty grout cleaner is Grout-Eez Professional Strength Tile & Grout Cleaner.
“Check unbiased online reviews before buying and trying any grout-cleaning product,” says home improvement expert Don Vandervort of HomeTips.com. “Reading bad reviews can be very educational and alert you to any possible product problems.”
Vandervort adds, “Above all, test the product you choose in an inconspicuous place. After doing an entire floor, you don’t want to discover that it etched the surface or changed the grout color to orange.”
If you use a commercial cleaning product, always follow manufacturer’s instructions exactly as indicated on the label. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses for protection from acids or chemicals contained in most products. Don’t mix commercial cleansers—doing so can produce dangerous chemical reactions. Be sure to ventilate the area well if the fumes are harsh.
If your grout is colored, be sure to use a cleanser that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach because the bleach could lighten your grout’s color.
Using commercial cleaner, step-by-step:
Pour or spray the liquid onto grout lines.
Allow liquid to dwell in grout lines for 10–15 minutes.
Scrub solution along grout lines with a grout brush.
Wipe liquid off with a damp rag to remove dirt and grime.
Allow to dry.
Steam cleaning grout
A steam cleaner is most effective for cleaning grimy grout on floors and larger surfaces. Illustration: © HomeTips.com
A steam cleaner can be used to deep-clean grout if other measures fail. You can rent a tile-and-grout steam cleaner for about $50 per half day at a major home improvement center or tool rental supply. This is worth the price if you have a large area to cover. If you’re cleaning wall tile, get a canister-style steam cleaner that has a hose and wand with a cleaning brush attachment.
You can also buy consumer appliances made for steam cleaning tasks. They range in price from $35–200, depending upon the capacity, accessories, strength, and features. A good, serviceable model runs about $130. This is a good investment for future grout and other steam-cleaning jobs.
A steam cleaner doesn’t use chemicals. Instead, it uses pressure and steam to release dirt, grime, and mildew in grout. Rental models typically heat water to more than 200°F and spray with very strong pressure. Do not use a powerful steam cleaner on grout that’s old or cracked because it could cause further damage.
Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses when using a steam cleaner.
Using a steam cleaner, step-by-step:
Sweep and clean the surface.
Fill the steam cleaner with water, attach a stiff-bristle grout brush (attachment), and let the water heat for a few minutes.
Turn on the steam and work in one small area at a time. Or, if you’re cleaning grout on a wall, work from the top down.
Use a rag to mop up dirty water as you work.
Repeat as necessary.
Hiring a pro to steam clean your grout may produce better results, but be sure to discuss whether or not your tile or grout could be damaged by more powerful equipment.
Sealing grout
Grout should be sealed after every cleaning and again every year or two, to prevent it from absorbing new stains. The best grout sealers repel both water-based and oil-based stains. They cost from $5–140 a bottle and can last weeks to years. More expensive sealers last longer.
To test whether grout currently has active sealant, squirt some water on it. If the water is absorbed, it’s time to reseal the grout.
Once the grout is clean, use a small applicator bottle to apply grout sealer. Illustration: © HomeTips.com
When to hire a professional grout cleaner
If you’re not up for scrubbing dirty grout on your hands and knees—or have tried it unsuccessfully—you can hire a professional grout-cleaning service. Many grout pros have the tools, equipment, and experience to determine the best solution for your tile floor or wall. This typically costs $250 or more, depending upon the size of the job.
Some grout is beyond cleaning. It might be possible to repair a limited area of stained or damaged grout, but matching color and tone of existing grout can be difficult. That’s another reason to call a pro. Expect to pay from $10–25 or more per square foot to repair old, dirty grout.
Sometimes grout is so damaged, it needs to be replaced. A typical grout replacement job runs between $250 and $1,000.
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