7 DIY Grout Cleaning Tips (and When to Call in the Pros)

Odds are, you'd like to clean your grout at home. Here are 7 DIY grout cleaning tips, as well as guidance on when you really should call in the professionals.

Tile is a popular flooring material found in many homes. In 2020, companies sold $2.8 billion worth of ceramic tile alone. Homeowners like tile for its looks and durability, but many people don't like cleaning it.

A brand-new tiled floor looks fantastic, but the grout tends to stain and look bad over time. So, how can you clean it? 

Fortunately, you can use various DIY techniques to clean your floor, and we'll discuss seven effective options in this article.



But, there are times when you might want to hire a professional to clean the grout for you. Keep reading to learn more about this, too.

1. Gather the Right Supplies 

Before you start cleaning your grout, you must gather the necessary supplies. So, what will you need for the job? 

First, you'll need a bucket or a spray bottle. Most of these methods involve cleaning the tile with a solution. Therefore, you will need a bucket or spray bottle to mix the solution.

Secondly, you'll need a scrub brush. Many people use old toothbrushes to scrub the tile. However, toothbrushes are small compared to other options.

You might want to choose a larger brush, as it can help you clean grout lines faster. 

Additionally, it would help if you considered wearing gloves while cleaning the floor to protect your hands. And, you might want to grab some rags to use to wipe the floor.

2. Bleach

Tile cleaning is something you should do regularly, as tile and grout get stained and dirty over time. You can begin by trying chlorine bleach, which is something you probably have at your house.

The best way to use bleach is by mixing 3/4 cup of bleach with around one gallon of water. You can mix it in a bucket or place it in a spray bottle.

Next, you can spray the mixture on the grout or use a rag to wet the tile. After wetting the tile, you might want to wait a few minutes before scrubbing. Then, you can wipe the tile dry after scrubbing it. 

3. Vinegar

The next solution to try is vinegar and water. Vinegar is also an item you probably have at home, and it can remove stains and buildup on the tile. 

The difference between bleach and vinegar is that you can use undiluted vinegar on your grout without harming it. But, you can't use undiluted bleach, as it's too strong and harsh.

For this method, you can place vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on your tile and grout. Next, you can use your scrub brush to scrub it. Finally, you might want to rinse it well with fresh water and clean clothes when finished. 

4. Dish Soap

Some people find that dish soap works well for cleaning grout.

You can mix a few drops of dish soap with a bucket of warm water. For this method, you'll want the mixture to have some bubbles, but it doesn't have to be overly bubbly.

Again, you can place the solution on your tile and grout and scrub. Finally, you can rinse it off with clean wet cloths. 

5. Toilet Bowl Cleaner 

You might also want to purchase some gel toilet bowl cleaner to clean your tile floors. Toilet bowl cleaner effectively removes tough stains from toilets, but it also works well for grout lines. 

You can apply the toilet bowl cleaner to all your grout lines. Next, you can scrub it with a brush. You might want to let the cleanser sit on the tile for a few minutes before scrubbing. 

6. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an abrasive material that works well for all kinds of household cleaning tasks, including tile and grout. 

Before using it on your tile, you'll need to create a paste by mixing water with baking soda. Next, you can dip the brush into the paste and begin scrubbing all the grout lines, rinsing well when finished. 

7. Hydrogen Peroxide

One additional method you can try includes hydrogen peroxide. People often use this substance to naturally whiten their teeth, as it's known for removing stains.

The same is true when you use it on your tile floors; it removes stains. 

You can mix equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle or bucket. Next, you can clean the grout lines with this solution. 

Signs to Hire a Professional Grout Cleaning Company

Learning about the most effective grout cleaning methods is an excellent way to find the remedy you like the best. But, cleaning the grout and tile in your home is a big job, especially if you have a lot of time in your house.

Therefore, you might want to hire a company that offers grout cleaning services and grout sealing services to do the work for you. But, how do you know if you should hire it out?

First, do you have the time to handle the job? After all, it would be helpful to scrub your floors at least two to three times a year. Hiring a company to do it is a smart move if you don't have time.

Secondly, do you have the energy and physical capabilities to do the job? Scrubbing your floor requires getting on your hands and knees, which is something some people can't do.

If you physically can't do the job, you can get it done by searching for "grout cleaning services near me." You can reap many benefits by hiring a company to do this for you.

Save Time and Effort by Hiring It Out

You can use these DIY grout cleaning methods, and they'll likely make a big difference in how your grout looks. However, cleaning tile and grout takes time. You can save time and effort by hiring us to clean your grout.

At Desert Tile and Grout Restore, we offer services for all types of tile and grout. Let us do the job for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services.