Grout Cleaning Products, Equipment, and Tips

The market is full of grout cleaning products that promise to remove grime and stains from tile grouting but many never achieve the promised results.  Before you go spending tons of money on cleaning solutions or specialized machinery, it is important to take a close look at all of the available options.  In most cases, clean grout can be accomplished with simple household ingredients like vinegar or baking soda.  Before you even begin searching for grout cleaning methods you must first determine the type of stain or grime that is causing the unsightly appearance.  For example, in a bathroom, most grout stains are a result of mold and mildew so you will need to find a solution that is effective at eliminating such stains.

Tile and grout cleaning products usually specify a recommended use so you will need to read the recommendations carefully.  Some products are acidic and they could cause damage to unsealed or untreated floor tiles.  Kitchen and bathroom floor tile grout cleaning is best accomplished with a diluted vinegar mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water.  It won’t be the best smelling option but it is usually very effective at lifting the grime and removing the stains in the grout.  If you have some very stubborn stains, try making a baking soda paste by adding a little bit of water to baking soda in a container.  Use a stiff brush or even a toothbrush to scrub the paste into the cracks where the grout is located. 

If household cleaning products aren’t effective at cleaning the stains on your grout floors then it may be time to consider household cleaning products like Soft Scrub, Mr. Clean, and Lysol.  Never use bleach based products on colored grout because it will discolor the grout.  Follow the product instructions carefully to ensure that you get an accurate result.  You do not have to overuse a product in order to get positive results.  Always make sure you rinse the product completely off of the surface with a mop and water.  Warm rinse water works best because it helps release even more grime.  Cleaning floor tile grout can be a back breaking job if you go about it with the wrong supplies and tools.  You should always use a good scrub brush that will not scratch your floors and a good mop that can get the dirty water and debris without much effort.

Cleaning ceramic tile grout in the kitchen and bathroom requires similar techniques and a little bit of elbow grease.  Stains in grout in the kitchen are typically a result of splashed food, everyday use, mildew, or grime.  Always begin with household products first before you move to the heavy duty commercial products.  White grout is super easy to clean because baking soda works really well in the kitchen area.  Soft Scrub also works exceptionally well at removing kitchen grout stains.  In the bathroom, the stains are a little more stubborn and likely the result of mold and mildew.  Super tough stains have probably been there a long time and may require commercial grade cleansers.  Oxygen and bleach based solutions are very effective when properly applied.

The easiest way to clean grout stains is with a tile & grout cleaning machine.  The only problem is that these machines are expensive.  Most machines use steam technology to remove stains from the surface of tile and grout.  If you can’t purchase your own machine you can opt to rent one locally.  Look online for available cleaning supply companies in your area.  Machine rentals are not that expensive and definitely worth looking into if you only need one for periodic use.  If your grout stains keep coming back shortly after you clean them, then it may be time to reseal your bathroom grout.  There are many types of grout sealers on the market today and many have a specific intention.  You should read the labeling carefully to make sure you are purchasing sealer that will work for bathroom ceramic tiling. 

Regardless of which option you choose to use, always make sure you use gloves for any cleaning project.  Harsh chemicals can be harmful to your skin.  If you are using bleach based or commercial grade products then you should also use a mask to prevent inhalation of harmful chemicals.  Goggles may also be needed if there is a chance that chemicals could splash into your eyes.