Learn how to clean bathroom grout easily and effectively, plus tips for how to keep your bathroom floor and walls clean for good!

 

I have to admit, I hate using strong chemicals in the bathroom. Cleaning shouldn’t give you a literal physical headache!

If you think that the only way to clean your bathroom grout is to use bleach, then you need my tips.

 

I’m going to share my favorite way to clean the bathroom grout. Plus, I will take you step by step through each place you might have tile and sharing tips for cleaning the floor and the shower.

You’ll also discover some amazing tips that will help it stay clean for good!

 

 

 

Tile In The Bathroom

 

There’s a big reason that almost everyone uses tile on the bathroom floors. It’s the most durable material that stands up the best to standing water.

Where else are you likely to have standing water but the place you bathe!

 

All that bathing and washing takes a toll on the tile. From the soap build-up to the dirt that we drag in, bathroom grout gets dirty pretty quickly. Thankfully, there is an easy way to clean the grout as well as the tile floor itself.

 

If you struggle to keep your bathroom grout clean, then these tips are just for you!

 

What Is Grout?

 

All tile floors have grout. It’s that material in between the tiles. Sometimes it’s white, other times it’s a creamy color.

People apply it as a paste and as it dries, it becomes solid and keeps the tiles in place.

 

This definition is really important to understand. As you clean your tile floors or the tile in your bathroom, you need to pay extra attention to space in between the tiles – that’s the grout.

This is the place the dirt likes to congregate and this is what gets stained.

 

What Makes Bathroom Grout So Dirty?

 

The obvious answer is – dirt makes grout dirty – right? That’s very true. The dirt from the mop is the most common reason the grout becomes stained or discolored.

 

It just happens naturally when you mop the floor or wash the tiles on the wall. The grout is the lowest point between the tiles, so as you clean, the dirt falls into the grout and just stays there.

 

Why You Need To Clean Bathroom Grout

 

You need to clean your bathroom grout because it will extend the life of your tile.

 

If you neglect to clean your grout, the dirt will eventually cause it to crack and then you’ll have to replace it. 

 

Cleaning the grout will save you money!

 

How To Clean Bathroom Grout

 

Now, let’s look at how to easily clean the bathroom grout. These are the steps from beginning to end that will make your bathroom shine!

 

Step 1: Make The DIY Grout Cleaner

 

Even though you can buy a grout cleaner, I recommend making your own. It doesn’t have strong odors and works just as well.

 

My favorite one has just two ingredients – baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Together, they whiten your grout and as you scrub it looks like the dirt just lifts away.

 

The ratio is one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts baking soda.

 

An example of the amounts is 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups a baking soda.

 

In fact, I wrote an entire post about how to make a simple, effective DIY tile grout cleaner!

 

A Note About Vinegar And Grout

 

Lots of Green/DIY recipes include vinegar in homemade grout cleaner, but you should stay away from it or dilute it really well. Here is why.

 

Vinegar is an acid. It has a pH of 2. This acidity makes it so bad for grout that if you use too much, it could corrode the surface.

 

If you read notes from people suggesting you mix vinegar and baking soda, you can try it, but understand it will clean just as well as plain water. It isn’t effective and could even damage your grout, so use vinegar sparingly on your tile.

 

Step 2: Soak The Grout

 

Scoop the paste and spread it directly to the grout. Let it sit on the grout for about 5-10 minutes, but not longer.

 

If you let it soak for too long, it could damage your grout and it won’t make your job any easier.

 

Step 3: Scrub With A Brush

 

Then, use a scrub brush to scrub the grout. An old toothbrush works the best!

 

If you find that it’s not coming clean very easily, add a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. This will help to cut through the grease.

 

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

 

Finally, after you scrub the grout completely clean, give the grout a final cleaning with a damp cloth. Wash it with some warm after and a few drops of dish soap. This will clean off any leftover grout cleaner and make it shine!

 

How To Clean Bathroom Floor Grout

 

To clean an entire floor, I suggest following the steps above. Soak the grout in the cleaner and then use a scrub brush to scrub it.

 

Instead of a toothbrush, use a larger brush with stiff bristles.

 

How To Keep Grout Clean

 

After you clean your bathroom grout, you need to maintain it. Not only will this save you time and effort, but it will save you money too.

 

My biggest tip is to seal your grout about once a year. The sealant will create a barrier that will prevent stains and dirt buildup.

 

You should also consider using your vacuum in your bathroom instead of the broom. This will suck up any tiny particles that might stay behind in the grout.

 

Also, be careful not to use too much soap cleaner or detergent when you mop your floors. Excess floor cleaner can leave a residue that actually attracts more dirt to it, making more work for you.

 

Finally, make sure your floors stay completely dry. If you use too much water when you mop, go back and dry it up. Too much moisture on the grout can cause mildew stains and discoloration really fast.

 

Final Thoughts

 

After you give your grout a really thorough cleaning, it’s easier to keep it nice and white if you maintain it. You should deep clean your grout about once a year just to help it last longer.

 

Read More And Continue Keeping Your Home Clean:

 

How To Quickly Clean Your Oven

The Easiest Way To Clean Your Dishwasher

How To Clean A Kitchen Sink Drain

 

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