One way to clean and whiten the grout is by use of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix the two ingredients to create a thick paste. Then, using a brush, spread the paste on the mold-affected grout and let it work for 5-10 minutes. Scrub the grout with a firm bristle brush and repeat if there is still visible mold.
Simply mix together half a cup of baking soda with four teaspoons of water until it forms a spreadable paste. Apply this paste directly to areas of mouldy grout and let it sit for 15 minutes. Finally, scrub the mould away with an old toothbrush and rinse with warm water.
Oxygen Bleach, Chlorine Bleach, or Hydrogen Peroxide: Stubborn mildew stains call for more potent solutions. Spray the affected grout with oxygen bleach, chlorine bleach, or hydrogen peroxide, ensuring the solution saturates the stains. Let it dwell for several minutes, then scrub the area.
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.
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.
Chemical cleaners, such as, Tilex, Soft Scrub, Scrubbing Bubbles, or ammonia products will nearly always result in your tile surfaces' grout becoming very discolored.
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.
BEST GROUT CLEANER: ZEP Grout Cleaner and Brightener. BEST TILE CLEANER: Flooring Restorer. BEST FOR NATURAL STONE: Stain Reaper Poultice. BEST FOR MOLD AND MILDEW: Clorox Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover.
LTP Grout Stain Remover is a powerful solution for tackling stubborn stains and mould on grout. It's particularly effective on cement-based grouts, which are commonly found in homes and more domestic settings.
White vinegar is an acidic solution that can etch or corrode some tiles, particularly those made from natural stone or unglazed ceramic. The acid in white vinegar can also weaken and deteriorate certain grouts over time, particularly if the grout is already damaged or in poor condition.
Mildew has a gray, white or light brown color and generally rests flat on the surface of a moist area. It has a powdery appearance that may have a distinct, foul odor. Mold has a fuzzy, raised appearance and in unaired areas has a strong, musty smell. It often appears in darker shades of black, green and red.
May be used on painted walls, ceramic tile, hardwood floors and baseboards, fabrics, glass, metal, brick, concrete, marble, laminated countertops, fully cured and oil-based painted surfaces, hard plastics, automobile tires, vinyl tops, wood, grout and fiberglass. DO NOT USE ON STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCE EXTERIORS.
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.
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.
It works on the tile and the grout, effectively cleaning everything from hard water stains to mold and mildew stains to soap scum.
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.
While it may be tempting to leave the cleaner on for an extended period, be cautious, as prolonged exposure can lead to damage, especially if the grout is older or more porous.
Vinegar's acidic property makes it an effective solution in combating mold. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar and apply it directly on the moldy grout. Give it an hour or so to work its magic then scrub with a grout brush. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.
Getting in between the tiles is hard but OxiClean™ can make keeping your grout sparkling white easy. Always refer to packaging for directions. MIX Fill to line 4 per gallon of water. For some surfaces, like grout, a more concentrated solution/paste may be needed.
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.
Just a few more important points: As the grout can absorb the soap as well as a stain, do not clean with oil or wax based cleaners (Murphy's Oil soap, Pine Sol, etc.). These products will leave a waxy or oily film in the grout.