To naturally whiten grout, use a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for tough stains, letting it sit and then scrubbing with a brush; for lighter jobs, a simple baking soda/water paste, or a diluted white vinegar spray, works well, often followed by a rinse and dry. For tougher grime, try a mix of baking soda, a little dish soap, and vinegar after the vinegar soaks in, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.
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.
Mix a thin paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, apply it to the grout, and let the baking soda/hydrogen peroxide cleaner ``soak'' into the grout for a few 15-20 minutes. Giving the cleaner a longer ``dwell time'' allows it to brighten and whiten the grout. What's the best homemade grout and tile cleaner?
Baking Soda and Peroxide Mixture
Some professionals swear by a simple mixture of baking soda and peroxide to clean grout.
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.
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.
Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a mild antiseptic and oxidizing agent that breaks down organic stains, mold, and bacteria. Its oxygen-based bleaching action makes it effective for brightening grout lines—especially in high-moisture areas like Atlanta bathrooms, kitchens, and tiled entryways.
Method 1: Baking Soda and Water
I tried two techniques: The first was to let the paste sit for a bit and then scrub. The second was to dip the brush in the paste and scrub directly on the grout. The second technique was actually more effective. Overall, the grout was noticeably cleaner but still a bit discolored.
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.
Compared to bleach or vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is less likely to damage grout or nearby tile, mainly when diluted or used in a paste.
Try using just plain old toothpaste and apply a dollop to a damp cloth. Next, pat down the grout gently and let it sit like that for a few hours. Finally, wipe away what's left of the toothpaste, and voilà, your grouts should be squeaky clean and white.
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.
How to Refresh Your Grout
Use Vinegar And Water
Vinegar will help to restore your grout to its original healthy state. You need to dilute the vinegar with equal parts of lukewarm water. Spray it in the grouts and let it stand for 5-7 minutes. Take a brush and start scrubbing.
The two products can be safely combined to form a paste or used separately to whiten laundry, remove odors, disinfect surfaces, and much more.
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.
This little DIY grout cleaner never fails me 🤍 Recipe: 1 cup baking soda. 1/4 cup dish soap. 3 tbsp hydrogen peroxide.
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.
That's because bleach can fade or discolor grout. According to Do It Yourself and the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), cleaning your grout with bleach can cause the color to fade over time, giving it a dull appearance.
If you're a die-hard DIYer, using Dawn dish soap alone can be a safer option for mild cleaning. Dilute a small amount of Dawn in warm water, scrub the grout with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly.
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.