To clean grout like a pro, start by sweeping, then apply a cleaning paste (like baking soda/vinegar or a commercial product), let it sit, and scrub thoroughly with a stiff grout brush or old toothbrush, focusing on the lines. Rinse completely with a damp cloth and allow to dry, using fans or open windows for ventilation. For tough stains, consider professional-grade cleaners, steam, or a bleach-based product after testing.
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.
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.
To whiten grout, use a DIY paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (or water), scrub with a brush, let it sit, then rinse; for tougher stains, try a bleach-soaked paper towel method or a dedicated commercial grout cleaner, always ensuring good ventilation and wearing protective gear like gloves and eye protection before scrubbing and rinsing thoroughly.
Yes. Grout should be cleanest with a PH neutral cleaner. If you cleaner has any kind of acid, including citric, it will eventually break down the Portland cement. If it has bleach in it it will remove the color.
Important note: To avoid damage to grout, it's best to avoid any acidic cleaners, such as vinegar or chlorine bleach, as they will damage and erode your grout over time.
Sealed grout protects it from those outside elements, bacteria growth caused by moisture, and spills that cause staining. Not only that, sealed grout helps strengthen it and slows down the wear and tear process.
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.
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.
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.
Regrouting is the best option when tiles and grout begin to show signs of discoloration or the stains are so deep that they cannot be removed. As grout ages, it naturally deviates from its original color. If the white grout turns yellow or is covered with stains, you must regrout very soon.
One of the most frequent grouting mistakes is improper mixing and application. Grout is a precise material, and getting this step right is crucial for its strength and adhesion. Incorrect Water-to-Grout Ratio: Adding too much or too little water can significantly weaken the grout.
While grout pens are not a permanent solution to some grout issues, they're still an affordable and easy way to help you transform your home. Just be sure that you choose a grout pen in a color that works for your style, the room itself, and the tile.
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.
Grout haze occurs when a thin layer of grout residue remains on the tile surface after installation. This haze often results from waiting too long before wiping off the grout. When water evaporates, it leaves behind minerals and cement particles, forming a dull or cloudy film.
Professionals use a multi-stage approach for cleaning grout, combining alkaline degreasers, steam cleaning, and high-pressure hot water extraction for deep cleaning, often using specialized brushes and sometimes acid washes for tough stains, plus tools like grout brushes, microfiber cloths, and sometimes powerful machine scrubbers for large areas, always ending with thorough rinsing and drying. They might also use oxygen bleach for brightening or specific grout cleaning powders for tough discoloration.
To protect your tiles and ensure their longevity, it's essential to understand which chemicals to avoid and adopt safer, more effective cleaning methods.
The Pink Stuff
Simply rub and scrub, and then rinse with hot water. As a mildly abrasive cleaner, the paste has a little grit to it, which helps scrub away dirt and debris from grout and surfaces.
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.
Sealer is not a waterproofer it is considered a moisture barrier and stain resistant. In over 30 years demoing tile showers the only time water gets behind grout is if it cracks and doesn't get repaired. Grout sealer is also not a one and done thing it wears and needs reapplied.
How to Seal Grout
MAPEI recommends using UltraCare Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer or UltraCare Penetrating Plus SB Stone & Porcelain Tile Sealer on all cement-based grouts, porous natural stone, clay tile, cement-based tile, quarry tile, brick and polished porcelain tile.