How do you clean dingy grout?

Author: Javier Dickens  |  Last update: Friday, October 24, 2025

How it works: To make a homemade grout cleaner, mix 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide in a shallow dish or a squeeze bottle. Apply the solution to the grout lines and allow it to stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

How do you clean severely dirty grout?

  • Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a bowl to form a thick paste.
  • Spread the paste onto your grout using an old toothbrush to completely coat the area to be cleaned.
  • Like the previous method, use a brush with firm bristles to scrub the grout.
  • Use a damp cloth or mop to wipe off the remaining paste.

What do professionals use to clean grout?

Some professionals swear by a simple mixture of baking soda and peroxide to clean grout. Hydrogen peroxide is an acid, and baking soda is a base compound. Mixing the two together creates a reaction that can penetrate the grout lines and free dirt and debris.

How to make grout look new again?

Apply Grout Cleaner

Apply it to the dirty areas of the grout following the manufacturer's instructions. If you prefer cleaning grout with a DIY mixture, make a paste of 3/4-cup baking soda, 1/4-cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap. Apply the paste to the grout with a grout brush and scrub the grout.

What should you not use to clean grout?

Chemical cleaners, such as, Tilex, Soft Scrub, Scrubbing Bubbles, or ammonia products will nearly always result in your tile surfaces' grout becoming very discolored.

How to Clean Dirty Grout with Homemade Cleaner | Ask This Old House

How do you revive dirty grout?

Use Bleach
  1. Dilute ¾th cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Spray the solution on the stained grouts. Let it sit for 15 minutes. ...
  2. Take bleach and baking soda, mix them and make a thick paste with a toothpaste-like consistency. Apply it on grouts and let it work for 15 minutes.

Does anything really clean grout?

It's best to try rinsing your grout with plain water and a gentle cleanser like dish soap. If this doesn't work, before you decide to use a cleaner across your surface, test it on a small section of your grout. We recommend starting with a dedicated grout cleaner before trying to deep clean.

Can hydrogen peroxide damage grout?

Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a natural neutral cleaner that is safe to use on grout. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda produce oxygenated bleach, which is highly effective for cleaning grout.

Is Dawn dish soap good for cleaning grout?

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.

How do you remove ingrained dirt from grout?

Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the grout, working on one small area at a time. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Thereafter, scrub the area with a brush or a stiff toothbrush.

Does pink stuff clean grout?

1. Tiles and grout. One of our favourite ways to use The Pink Stuff is to revive tired and grubby tiles. Work it into the grout with a sponge or an old toothbrush and you'll be amazed at how much you can brighten up those old bathroom or kitchen tiles.

Does OxiClean clean grout?

If you're trying to clean grimy grout between your bathroom shower or floor tiles, then OxiClean™ bathroom cleaners are here to help! They get rid of grout stains on vertical and floor tiles for a refreshed bathroom.

Are grout pens any good?

Grout pens will only temporarily cover your grout's discoloration. That's probably why they are the cheapest option available. We run into the infamous grout pen issue nearly every other week. The project usually goes awry when the homeowner applies the grout pen to the grout and some bleeds over onto the tile.

How to clean discoloured grout?

Method:
  1. Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a bowl to form a thick paste.
  2. Spread the paste onto your grout using an old toothbrush to completely coat the area to be cleaned. ...
  3. Like the previous method, use a brush with firm bristles to scrub the grout. ...
  4. Use a damp cloth or mop to wipe off the remaining paste.

What is the fastest way to clean dirty grout?

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water. Give it a good shake and then spray the grout. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Once it's absorbed, give your grout a scrub down with your brush.

How to clean dirty grout without scrubbing?

Natural Solutions for Scrub-less Grout Cleaning
  1. Mix 3.5 cups hot water, 3 tbsp of lemon juice, 1/2 cup Baking Soda, and 1/6 cup white vinegar.
  2. Using a spray bottle, apply the mixture along the grout itself, making sure it's totally saturated. ...
  3. After about one hour, spray the grout one more time and then mop it all away!

Does toothpaste clean grout?

Yep, you read it right – toothpaste can help you clean the grouts spotless, and it is the perfect pick for those looking for something simpler yet effective. 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.

What is the best homemade grout cleaner?

Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and baking soda on the spot you want to clean. It should be making a sizzle sound as the chemicals interact. Then, start scrubbing. The paste should turn foamy, like watery shaving cream.

Is goo gone safe on grout?

It works on the tile and the grout, effectively cleaning everything from hard water stains to mold and mildew stains to soap scum.

Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and vinegar?

If these chemicals are kept in a sealed container for a long time, it can cause a small explosion because the carbon dioxide will try to escape. So, while you can use baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and bleach on their own for cleaning purposes, we recommend that you avoid mixing them with vinegar.

How do you brighten dingy grout?

DIY Grout Cleaner

You'll need baking soda, dish soap and hydrogen peroxide for this method. How it works: To make a homemade grout cleaner, mix 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide in a shallow dish or a squeeze bottle.

Does Dawn soap clean grout?

To mix homemade grout cleaner all you will need is blue dawn and warm to hot water. You will start by pouring a dime-sized squirt of blue dawn into a trigger bottle (preferably a 32-ounce bottle). Make sure the spray can be adjusted to stream and not spray. Then fill with water and lightly shake.

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