Damp showers produce brown grout even more than other areas
You might notice that your grout turns brown much quicker in your shower than any other area of your home. This could mean that mold spores and mildew are setting up deep within your grout.
Magic Erasers are great for cleaning grout. They lift dirt with very little effort, even from this usually impossible site. However, the grout will eat through your Magic Eraser fast. If you're touching up the grout in a small portion of your backsplash, using Magic Erasers is perfect.
Mix one tablespoon of dishwashing soap, 1 cup of warm water, and 1 cup of vinegar. Apply mixture to stained grout. Scrub with a grout brush. Rinse with water.
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.
Use the stain-fighting power of OxiClean™ Foam-Tastic™ to remove crusty stains from hard water, lime and calcium—in addition to grease and dirt. Plus, Foam-Tastic™ works on more than vertical tile surfaces and grout!
The active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, has fungicidal properties that can destroy the structure of mold and its spores, effectively killing it. In addition to killing the mold, bleach can also help remove the discoloration or staining left behind by the mold.
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.
DIY Grout Cleaner
Make a spreadable paste with 3/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap. Add more baking soda or peroxide if the mixture is too runny or thick.
Hydrogen peroxide has so many uses, and it's especially good at brightening discoloured grout. Unlike vinegar, which can corrode the grout over time, hydrogen peroxide is a gentle disinfectant that is non-toxic – when used correctly. To clean grout, simply pour undiluted hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle.
Goo Gone Grout cleaner is specially formulated to easily remove dirt that's built-up over time. It works on the tile and the grout, effectively cleaning everything from hard water stains to mold and mildew stains to soap scum.
How To Change Grout Color: Re-Paint Existing Grout. Painting your existing grout with a special colorant is the least labor-intensive method. You'll need a bottle of grout colorant of your preferred color; Upton recommends Mapei. You'll also need a small brush and a microfiber cloth.
Perhaps the most common is simply a darker gray, brown or black due to deposited dirt and grime. With bathroom tile, excess moisture and the heightened presence of mold on grout, you can see other colors, too — such as orange and pink.
Grout stain will fade over time, especially if the tile is in a high-traffic area. But with a good application of a quality product, it should last for up to 15 years.
Grout is porous and usually sealed to resist stains. However, acid can degrade these silicone-based sealants, causing them to break down and wash away. Contrary to popular belief, this can happen with just one application of vinegar.
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. However, this method is less effective for tackling stubborn stains or deep-seated grime.
APPLY using a cloth, sponge, brush or by pouring solution directly onto surface. LET STAND 5-30 min. Scrub as needed. Note: for large surfaces, work with small areas, so solution does not dry on the surface.
Hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for grout, but like any cleaning agent, it can have adverse effects if overused or misapplied. Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic and bleaching agent, so it works well on grout and tiles to tackle stains, mold, and bacteria.
For floors, steam mops are highly effective for cleaning grout. Just like the handheld steam cleaner we tested, a steam mop can clean and sanitize your tile and grout without resorting to harsh chemicals.