We at Myer Carpet Cleaning understand that cleaning grout in tiles may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering your home cleaning regime, but if you really want your tiles to pop, clean grout lines can make the world’s difference!
Because wall and floor tile grout sit lower than tiles and are porous, they are prone to accumulating dirt, grime, soap, moisture and more. If left unchecked, more harmful build-up like mould and mildew could even pose a problem. Because of this, knowing how to clean grout in tiles, especially white grout – is important for maintaining a clean and fresh living environment.
While we all sweep, vacuum, and mop our floors regularly, unfortunately, it’s not enough to maintain clean grout lines. On the upside, you only need a few basic tools, cleaning and household products, and some elbow grease to get them looking new again!
In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through our top tips for cleaning grout in tiles so you can make the most of your home cleaning efforts and get your tiles sparkling again!
What You’ll Need for Cleaning Grout in Tiles
Here is a list of the household items you may need for your tile and grout cleaning:
- Spray bottle
- Stiff bristled brush like a dishwashing brush, scrubbing brush, or an old toothbrush
- Sponge or cleaning cloth
- Towels
- Bucket or similar sturdy container
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses
- Broom or vacuum
- Mop
Cleaning Grout in Tiles: Step-by-Step Guide
Preparation is Key
Start by giving your tiles a good clean. Sweep, vacuum, and mop your floor tiles and give wall tiles a good wipe down with a moist cloth and a cleaning solution. An all-purpose kitchen and bathroom cleaner is perfectly fine.
This will help to remove as much dust and dirt as possible before you clean your grout. If it’s a windy day, consider closing some windows to help reduce the amount of dust reaching your floor and walls.
Choose Your Cleaning Solution
Next, it’s time to choose your preferred cleaning solution to tackle the dirty grout.
While a vinegar solution is often recommended, acidic cleaners like vinegar can actually dissolve and damage grout or cause discolouration on the surface of your tiles. Mould also tends to enjoy acidic environments so vinegar should be avoided if you’re dealing with mould and mildew.
Before you start, it’s also a good idea to first test the solution on a small section of tiles to make sure it’s not causing any unwanted damage to your tiles or grout.
Here are our suggested DIY cleaning solutions for cleaning grout in tiles.
Homemade Alkaline Cleaner
When it comes to how to clean grout in tiles, a good starting point is to use a less harsh solution like an alkaline cleaner. It is a great option for light grout stains that just need a good spruce.
Mixture: Mix two tablespoons of sodium percarbonate in two cups of water for a great alkaline cleaner!
Baking Soda, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Dish Soap
This cleaning solution is very common for DIY tile and grout cleaning because it doesn’t require too much elbow grease. This powerful solution is a good pick for tile grout that is deeply stained.
Mixture: Mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide to make your cleaning paste. Add a few drops of dish soap if you’re dealing with grease in grout lines, like in the kitchen.
White Vinegar, Lemon, and Baking Soda
This is a great solution if you’d prefer using natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. It is ideal for mild tile and grout cleaning but it will require a little more elbow grease.
Mixture: Mix two cups of water with a quarter cup of white vinegar, a quarter cup of lemon juice, and half a cup of baking soda to make your natural grout cleaner!
Oxygen Bleach for Cleaning Grout in Tiles
If all else fails, you can always use a strong cleaning solution like bleach for stubborn stains. While it is highly effective at cleaning grout, bleach can also cause damage to certain tiles – especially tiles made from natural stone.
We recommend only using this method on white tiles that have white grout lines like bathroom tiles. Be sure to wear gloves and protective glasses when working with bleach.
Mixture: Mix three tablespoons of powdered oxygen bleach with water then place the solution into a spray bottle for application.
Prepare and Apply Your Cleaning Solution
Once your floors or walls have been cleaned and you’ve decided which cleaning solution you want to use, it’s time to prepare and apply the solution.
We recommend always using protective gloves and glasses to avoid any adverse reactions you may have to these chemicals and products.
Some of the above solutions become a paste whereas others are combined in liquid form.
Using your fingers, a spray bottle, or a scrapper – apply the cleaning solution to your grout lines. Try to ensure that all the problem areas you want to clean are properly coated with the paste or solution so you can get an even result.
Give Cleaning Solution Time to Work into the Grout Lines
Once applied, leave the solution on for at least 15 minutes to work its magic and penetrate the grout properly.
During this process, you may notice bubbling or fizzing, which is totally normal. Allowing the solution to work into the pores of the grout will result in cleaner and brighter-looking grout lines!
Scrub the Grout
Once the cleaning solution has worked its way into the grout, use your preferred grout brush to scrub the grout and problem areas. This will help lift any trapped dirt from the pores and grout lines. During the scrubbing process, you should already start noticing the grout returning to its original colour.
Cleaning Up
Lastly, it’s time to clean up the mess and reveal your newly cleaned grout!
Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid with warm water in a bucket. Then, using a sponge or cloth, rinse the tiles and wipe away any remaining grout cleaner. Repeat this process until your tiles are properly rinsed then allow them to dry.
Finish by Sealing Your Grout
This is an optional step for those who really want to make the most of their efforts. Using a grout sealer will help repel future moisture and dirt from accumulating in your grout lines, keeping your tile grout clean for longer. Grout sealer can be reapplied on an annual basis for the best results.
Cleaning Shower Grout
Shower and bathroom grout needs to be cleaned more regularly than floor tile grout due to excessive moisture being commonplace in our bathrooms. If left unchecked, this moisture can quickly lead to mould issues in grout, which can be a health risk for some individuals.
Clean bathroom grout effectively using any of the methods mentioned above. However, for mould and mildew in shower grout, a stronger mould killer spray may be required.
Call Myer Carpet Cleaning Today!
At Myer Carpet Cleaning, we’ve been proudly helping homeowners and businesses across Australia for over 10 years, delivering premium cleaning services in Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney.
As a 100% Australian, family-owned business, we understand that a clean living environment is essential to enjoying our time at home with our loved ones. Still, we also understand that life often gets in the way.
Be sure to contact one of our friendly and professional technicians today to book your next cleaning service, and let us take care of your home and business cleaning so you can enjoy the things that really matter!
Wrapping Up Our Guide on Cleaning Grout in Tiles
So, there you have it, your comprehensive DIY guide for tile and grout cleaning at home!
We hope you now have a better understanding of cleaning grout in tiles so you can enjoy fresher floors and walls that sparkle for longer!For all your professional home and business cleaning needs in Australia, contact Myer Carpet Cleaning today!