Tips and Advice

How to clean tile grout naturally

Clean tile grout with these natural methods that will eliminate even the most stubborn stains

Cleaning tile grout is not exactly a fashionable subject, but it’s an essential cleaning task that is not only important for your health but can also dramatically improve the look and feel of your home. There are many reasons why tile grout can discolour, not limited to dirt and grime build-up, moisture issues, inadequate sealing or improper installation, aging, or the use of harsh cleaning chemicals.

Like with any type of household cleaning, the fewer harsh chemicals you use, the better. Luckily, removing stubborn stains from tile grout can be easily achieved with all-natural methods that use cheap ingredients that will likely be in your kitchen pantry already.

Failing to clean your tile grout properly can lead to several risks like mould and mildew, foul odours and even damage to your tiles. So, exactly how do you clean tile grout?

How to clean tile grout

Grout is typically light in colour and porous in composition, so is prone to staining. Spills in the kitchen cause staining, and soap and mould in the bathroom make it difficult to maintain clean grout.

Fortunately, cleaning grout effectively is possible by using natural cleaning agents and common household products with just a bit of hard work. Here are some top tips to environmentally clean your grout based on the level of staining:

Mild: Simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion with a small nylon brush, then let dry.

Tough: Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray on the grout, let it stand for five minutes, and then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush using a circular motion. Do not use this method if your tiles are made out of natural stone as the vinegar can be damaging.

Stubborn: Stains just not budging? Make a paste of baking soda and water, cover the grout lines with the paste, and then spray on the vinegar solution. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush and rinse with plain water.

Hardcore: Bring out the big guns for these deep-embedded grout stains. Make a homemade cleaning solution using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide (available in most chemists). Cover the grout with the paste-like mixture, leave for five minutes then wash off with warm water.

Extreme: As a last resort try mixing two-parts baking soda and one-part bleach to make a thick paste. Spread this paste onto the dirty grout and wait five minutes. Scrub the grout using a stiff-bristled brush, and then wait another five minutes. Then, rinse the paste off using warm water. While mixing bleach with other chemicals is not considered safe, many find this combination helps improve the cleaning properties of both the bleach and the baking soda.

Tip: Grout usually appears darker when it is wet. If the grout is not as white as you’d like it to be, wait until it dries before reaching for your cleaners and scrubbers again.

How to keep tile grout clean

Now you know how to clean tile grout, here are some techniques for ensuring it stays spotless:

  • Spray tiles with vinegar and wipe down once a week.
  • Regularly dab alcohol into the grout lines to prevent mould.
  • Vacuum floors before mopping to avoid dirt soaking into the grout lines.
  • Apply grout sealer to new grout, 10 to 14 days after it cures. This provides optimal protection against stains.

How often to clean tile grout

How often you should be cleaning your tile grout depends on a number of factors. For spaces that have high levels of foot traffic and moisture (read: bathrooms), it’s recommended that you clean your tile grout at least once a month to prevent any serious issues from developing.

But remember, prevention is always the best solution, so make sure you clean tile grout as soon as you notice any sign of discolouration.

Photography by: Babiche Martens, Kate Battersby & Alice Veysey.

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