Yes, you can spray vinegar on grout, especially for ceramic or porcelain tiles, as its acidity helps break down grime, mold, and soap scum, but you should use a diluted mix (equal parts vinegar and water), avoid it on natural stone (like marble or travertine) where it can cause damage, and always rinse thoroughly after scrubbing. For best results, apply the spray, let it sit (5-15 mins), scrub with a brush, then rinse well.
Vinegar is acidic and can etch certain natural stone, such as marble, travertine and limestone. The occasional use of vinegar on porcelain or ceramic tile with cement-based grout should not cause damage. However, frequent or regular use can discolor and weaken grout and should not be used for routine maintenance.
Mix equal parts baking soda and white vinegar in a bowl to form a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Using a sponge or your fingers, apply a liberal amount to the grout lines. Allow this to sit for five to 10 minutes.
Bleach, ammonia, and cleaners with these harsh chemicals added in can cause grout to yellow, fade, or become discolored. They can also degrade the grout and cause it to erode over time.
But eight places you should never use vinegar include:
Steam cleaning is one of the most powerful ways to clean grout without the use of harsh chemicals. Professionals often use steam to loosen the dirt and other particles trapped in the grout without needing to scrub manually.
To whiten grout, use a paste of baking soda and water/hydrogen peroxide, scrub with a stiff brush, let it sit, then rinse; for tougher stains, try a vinegar/baking soda mix or a bleach/baking soda paste, always rinsing well and allowing it to dry, as grout darkens when wet, and consider a grout pen or sealant for a fresh, white finish.
Compared to bleach or vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is less likely to damage grout or nearby tile, mainly when diluted or used in a paste.
Install professional-looking tiles by learning from these common grouting mistakes.
I want to actually clean my grout. Magic erasers get the job done, and they do it quickly and relatively painlessly. Technique-wise, I usually cut my standard size magic eraser in half, wet it to slightly more than damp, and scrub the grout line as I squeeze gently.
It is a neutral cleaner. This means it is safe to use on most surfaces in your bathroom, including grout. Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).
Let the vinegar sit on the grout for about five minutes or so. Use a stiff-bristled brush such as a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies and scrub away any stains that have built up on your grout.
While white vinegar is a popular and effective cleaning solution for tiles, it can damage certain tiles and grout if used improperly or frequently. White vinegar is an acidic solution that can etch or corrode some tiles, particularly those made from natural stone or unglazed ceramic.
The best homemade grout cleaner is often a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (3%), sometimes with a squirt of dish soap for extra power, creating a fizzing, whitening action that lifts grime when scrubbed with an old toothbrush and rinsed well. For a simpler option, a paste of equal parts baking soda and water works, while a spray of equal parts white vinegar and water tackles mold/mildew but should avoid natural stone.
You generally should not grout directly over old grout for longevity and adhesion, as it often leads to cracking and peeling; instead, you must first remove a significant portion (at least 2mm) of the old grout, thoroughly clean the area, and then apply the new grout to ensure proper bonding and a lasting finish. Special rejuvenation grouts or epoxy grouts might require less removal, but scraping out most of the old material is the best practice for standard grout.
Hydrogen peroxide – a strong but safe alternative to bleach, is great for cleaning floor tile grout and tackling mould, especially in bathrooms. However, it may lighten coloured grout over time. Steam cleaning is a chemical-free method that effectively removes dirt from grout without scrubbing.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Vinegar can indeed ruin grout.
The grout will eventually wear off. So you should take not to apply vinegar for cleaning purposes if you have unsealed grout in the area.
After you have wiped the surface and are done cleaning, it is best to rinse well. There are some products that do react with this acid (i.e. bleach), so the residue needs to be fully removed.
It can repel spiders. So if creepy crawlies are keeping you inside, this household staple to banish spiders from your porch or patio is undoubtedly worth a try.
Vinegar has a very low pH level which means it's very acidic, so it can corrode some surfaces over time. For example, using vinegar on natural stone like granite or marble can dull and scratch the surface and it can corrode surfaces like unsealed grout, window seals, and fridge and dishwasher gaskets.
Mrs Hinch demonstrated her technique, showing how she used a damp magic eraser to wipe down a section of her kitchen floor grout. With just a few strokes, the grout transformed from stained to sparkling white.