How to clean grout in your floors, showers and more
By Michelle Dakota Beck•Last updated Jul 2, 2024
Last updated Jul 2, 2024
Cleaning stained grout can make you feel like you'll need to scrub for hours. Fortunately, that's not actually necessary when you know how to clean grout the right way. When you adopt a cleaning and maintenance routine, you'll encounter fewer issues — and your tile and grout will look better and longer.
So, what's the proper way to clean grout, and how do you know what you can and can't use for effective and efficient cleaning?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about grout cleaning. We’ve laid out tips to help you get rid of mold and mildew, stains and other issues that can make the tiled areas in your home look dirty, old and damaged.
How often should you clean tile and grout?
As a general rule, clean tile and grout when it starts to show dirt, film, or haze. You should also clean off any mold or mildew you see before it spreads.
Tile grout is porous, so it can absorb water, chemicals, and debris, especially if it isn't sealed properly. You'll probably clean tile and grout whenever you normally clean your house, but sometimes an extra deep cleaning is necessary.
If you're not sure whether your tile and grout need a good cleaning, look for dark grout lines that should be white, along with streaks, spots, or a film on the tile itself. Also watch for spots and splotches that could indicate mold. If your tile or grout starts to develop a musty odor, that's another sign it needs cleaning.
What you’ll need
To clean tile and grout, you'll need the right products and supplies. Some of the most common options for great-looking grout lines include:
- Alkaline or pH-neutral grout cleaner
- A handheld scrub brush
- A toothbrush
- Microfiber cloth or soft towel
- Rubber gloves
- A bucket of clean water
- Shop vac or wet/dry vacuum (for floors)
- Mild dish soap (optional)
- Grout colorant (optional)
- Mold remover (optional)Grout sealer (optional)
You might also want a larger or longer-handled brush, depending on how much tile and grout you have and how easy it is to reach. There are also products such as grout coloring pens to fix discoloration and pre-treatment chemicals you may want to consider.
How to clean tile and grout floors
There are some basic steps you can follow when cleaning your grout:
- Sweep or vacuum the area to remove loose dirt and debris.
- Apply the cleaning solution, following the instructions on the package. Most cleaners need a few minutes of dwell time to work — don't start scrubbing immediately.
- Scrub the grout lines with a stiff nylon brush, working in small sections so the cleaner doesn't dry on the surface.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Leftover cleaner residue attracts dirt and can leave a film.
- Vacuum up the dirty water with a shop vac, then dry the surface with a microfiber cloth.
- Optional: reseal the grout — but only once it's completely dry, which usually takes at least 24 hours. Sealing damp grout traps moisture underneath and can cause discoloration or mildew.
Along with cleaning, you should maintain the grout and tile, too. Good grout maintenance is easier with a grout colorant to restore the bright color the grout had when it was new. You should also consider a sealant, since periodic resealing can help grout last longer.
One more thing: Make sure you know what type of tile floors you have before you start cleaning. Do you have ceramic tile floors, or are they made out of natural stone like marble or granite? Certain cleaners and chemicals should be avoided depending on your floor type. For more advice, read our guide, “How to clean tile floors like a pro.”
How to clean grout in a shower
Cleaning grout in a shower is very similar to cleaning grout on your floor. You can clean grout with specific cleaners made for grout and tile, or with other options such as a mild dish soap (which is close to pH-neutral). A deep cleaning may be necessary if the grout is very dirty, or if there is mold or mildew.
To clean shower grout, do the following:
- Wipe down the shower to remove any hair, dirt, soap scum, or other debris.
- Clean the shower with your grout cleaner of choice.
- Use the grout cleaner to remove stains, marks, and mildew. Follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Treat any remaining mildew with a product specifically designed to remove it.
- Rinse thoroughly to remove any leftover residue.
- Dry with a soft towel or microfiber cloth.
Also, make sure you're maintaining the grout in your shower by sealing it on a schedule recommended by the manufacturer, and by treating mold and mildew promptly so it doesn't stain the grout as easily.
How to clean grout countertops
To clean grout countertops, follow the same basic steps you use for floors and showers. Remove any dirt or debris, or anything that's stuck on the countertop. Then use your grout cleaner and a scrub brush to remove dirt from the grout lines.
Also remember to use a treatment for mold and mildew if needed, and seal the grout on the schedule the manufacturer recommends.
Tips for cleaning pool tile and grout
When you're cleaning pool tile and grout, it's important to understand that it can quickly accrue mildew and algae. The chemicals in pool water, such as chlorine, can help protect grout lines from mildew. But there are always cracks and crevices that don't get as much light and may be prone to mold growth. Using a stronger cleaner or one that's specifically made for pools and outdoor areas can help protect the grout and reduce problems.
But when in doubt, you can also hire a pool cleaning service for this task. Get a few estimates to find out how much they may charge to scrub your pool tile grout.
Mistakes to avoid
To get your tile and grout clean — and keep it that way — avoid these common mistakes. The most frequent mistakes people make when cleaning grout are:
- Using vinegar, baking soda, bleach, or lemon — especially on unsealed grout.
- Scrubbing too hard, or with the wrong kind of brush, and scratching the tile.
- Not sealing the grout to keep it protected.
- Not treating mildew or other issues that can cause stains.
- Not cleaning grout frequently enough.
You can avoid these mistakes by using the right brush and cleaner, cleaning frequently, treating mildew and mold, and making sure you keep your grout properly sealed.
How to keep your grout clean and white
While grout lines will always start to dull over time, you can keep them whiter and brighter by taking good care of them. That also makes it easier to return them to their original brightness as needed. For example, you should:
- Inspect your grout regularly and look for signs of mildew.
- Treat mold or mildew promptly before it spreads.
- Use grout colorant to re-brighten your grout lines.
- Routinely clean your grout. Make grout cleaning part of your weekly routine.
- Clean up spills quickly, especially if it's something acidic or likely to stain.
- Spray a shower cleaner daily on your shower tiles and glass. Again, avoid cleaners that contain vinegar or baking soda on grout.
- Seal grout lines to protect them from stains. How often depends on the sealer and the location: showers and kitchen backsplashes generally need resealing every 6 to 12 months, floors in dry, low-traffic areas every 1 to 2 years, and high-quality penetrating sealers can last 3 to 5 years. Epoxy grout doesn't need sealing at all. Check your manufacturer's guidelines, and test by dripping a little water on the grout — if it darkens or soaks in, it's time to reseal.
When to call in a professional
Sometimes, the problems with your grout floor or other grout tile areas are just too much for the DIY enthusiast. In those instances, you may need to contact a tile and grout professional.
The issue may go beyond using the right grout cleaner and could extend to inspection, repair, or even replacement of your tile and grout. If you've just moved into a home where the grout was neglected, for example, a professional can help you make it look new again. Or you may need to regrout your shower, floors, or countertop. If you think that’s the route you need to take, start contacting regrouting professionals near you today.
FAQs
Do baking soda and vinegar clean grout?
In general, avoid both. Baking soda is abrasive, so using too much of it or scrubbing hard can wear away an already porous surface. Vinegar is acidic and may etch stone tile and degrade grout — especially if your grout is unsealed. An alkaline or pH-neutral cleaner made for grout is the safer choice.
Can I use only hot water to clean grout?
Hot water and a microfiber cloth will handle light surface dirt and routine upkeep, and it's the gentlest option available. It won't touch stains that have soaked into porous grout, though, so it's maintenance rather than a fix.
Steam cleaners work well on sound, sealed grout, but the heat and pressure can worsen grout that's already cracked or crumbling. Steam isn't recommended on unsealed natural stone.
What about hydrogen peroxide?
Standard 3% hydrogen peroxide is a reasonable middle ground. It's an oxygen bleach, so it lifts organic stains and kills mildew without the harshness of chlorine bleach, and it's gentler on grout than vinegar.
Test it in a hidden spot first — it can lighten colored grout — and don't use it on natural stone without checking your tile manufacturer's guidance.
Important note: While household ingredients may make tile and grout look brighter, it's generally better to use cleaners made specifically for grout and tile to avoid the chance of damage. You can also buy an alkaline cleaner, like Mr. Clean or Spic and Span, as recommended by the Tile Council of North America, or a pH-neutral cleaner.
How do you clean the grout haze off tile?
Grout haze is the thin white film left on tile after installation, when a little grout residue dries on the surface. It's a different problem from dirty grout lines, and it needs a different approach.
For light haze on freshly installed tile, warm water and a nylon scrub pad often lift it on their own. For anything stubborn, use a cementitious grout haze remover — these are usually sulfamic acid based and are formulated to cut the film off the tile without eating into your grout lines. Follow the label's dilution and dwell time exactly, and rinse thoroughly afterward.
Skip the vinegar here. It's a weaker acid that works inconsistently on haze, and as noted above it can etch natural stone and degrade unsealed grout. A purpose-made haze remover is both more effective and less risky.
What is the best grout cleaner to use?
There are several common grout cleaners, and the best one is the one that works for your needs and situation. A few of the cleaners you'll see suggested most often are:
- Mr. Clean
- Spic and Span
- MAPEI UltraCare
- Tile Doctor Grout Clean-Up
How do you remove mold from shower grout?
To remove mold from shower grout, you should use a cleaner that's specifically designed for treating mold and mildew. That will help get rid of it quickly without risking damage to the grout itself. Sealing the grout can help stop mold from recurring.
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