Let’s be real, cleaning tiles (walls or floors) is not a chore we’re excited to complete. Especially when your tile grout is full of dirt and bacteria. It is extremely important to clean tile grout!

For those of you wondering what tile grout is, tile grout is the filled spaces in between the tiles. It is typically a powder that becomes cement after drying.

Most people actually tend to overlook cleaning their tile grout and neglect it during the cleaning process.

Why?

Well, for starters, it can take a lot of elbow grease. As dirt and bacteria continue to build up it gets embedded into the tile grout. Thus making it extremely hard to remove.

Additionally, some feel that cleaning tile grout is not necessary as it does not interfere with the aesthetics of the floor or wall.

Unfortunately, it does indeed interfere with the aesthetics. Although your tiles may be shiny, the hint of dirt in between each tile is not the prettiest sight.

Not only can it be an eyesore, it can be a health hazard as well.

According to Alwaysimaculate.com, your tiles are one of the dirtiest surfaces in your home as mold spores, bacteria and viruses are built up.

All of these pathogens have the potential to lead to illnesses. Especially if you have small children or pets who tend to reside on your floor. 

As much as we would all love to just curl up and watch reruns of The Masked Singer, maybe skip an episode or two to ensure that the tile grout in your home is sanitized and safe. 

Believe it or not, that’s all it’ll take, less than two hours! If you can sacrifice two hours every few weeks you’ll start to notice a huge difference in your tiles as they will no longer look grimey or gunky. 

It’s as simple as that! Follow the steps below for a quick and easy cleaning. Happy cleaning!

Time Required

Cleaning tile grout can definitely feel like a pesky chore. With all of the cracks and crevices, you may think you’re going to be stuck cleaning all day long, so did I. Luckily, with the help of this article, you should expect to take around two hours to complete this chore.

Average Cost To Clean Tile Grout

Not only can this job be done in a short period of time, it is also a very affordable task. All together, these items should cost around $75; however, if you really want to take your cleaning a step further, you may want to invest in a portable steam cleaner. It does come with a very hefty price tag of about $300. This is entirely optional, so don’t sweat it!

Tools & Materials Needed

• Sponge – These non-scratch sponges come in a pack of nine, making each sponge almost 75 cents. This is such a great deal!
• Rubber gloves – Rubber gloves are imperative when working with certain chemicals like bleach, safe skin is healthy skin!
• Nano Towels – Microfiber cloths are vital to maintaining your tiles; regular cloths may be too rough and can potentially damage your tiles.
• Flat mop – This mop is hugely beneficial when trying to save time as it cleans your entire floor in little time.
• Scrub brushes – Get deep into those tiny crevices!
• Tile/grout cleaner– This is one of the critical materials as you are trying to clean the grout!
• Tile/grout sealer – Prevent future bacteria buildup!
• Bleach – This bleach comes in a six-pack for only $29.99, what a steal!

One of the most crucial yet overlooked products are your towels! I mean, how else are you going to dry your floor after all of that cleaning? You can let it air dry; however, you run the risk of building up dirt immediately after, making your efforts counterproductive. A lot of people tend to use brand name paper towels. Sure that works, but let’s be honest, you can end up using almost an entire roll just on your floor alone. Want to cut costs and help save the environment? Nano Towels are the perfect towels for you! Just one piece of fabric can help you eliminate costs and toxic chemicals! With water alone, you can clean and dry numerous surfaces. Get your Nano Towels HERE!

Step #1: Get Your Gloves Ready!

Before you even begin cleaning, you want to make sure you have all of your materials ready to go. The last thing that you want is to start the process only to find out that you’re missing a principal material, so get your gloves on and get ready!

This step should take no more than five minutes, just get all of your items in a designated spot and get to work!

Tip: To prevent walking all over the spots you have just cleaned, it is recommended that you begin your cleaning process in the northwest corner of your floor and work your way down south. The last thing you want is to be stuck in an endless spiral of cleaning the same spot multiple times.

Step #2: Clean Out!

Apply your grout cleanser to your tiles and let it sit for five minutes. After the five minutes are up, use your sponge, and scrub your tiles. This step will assist in lifting surface dirt and stains from your tiles. Although these are general instructions for almost every tile cleanser, be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before proceeding with this step.

Tip: Do you want a more natural cleanser? Well, you’re in luck! All it takes is baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Mix ¾ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and a tablespoon of dish soap to complete your mixture. Apply the paste all over your tiles and let it sit for five minutes. After the five minutes, proceed to do the steps mentioned above.

Step #3: Rinse the Residue!

Using your microfiber cloth, rinse off the residue from all of your tiles. Be sure to wipe your tiles, so they are entirely free of cleanser. This is crucial due to the fact that if the cleanser is still stuck on the tiles, it will actually attract more dirt and bacteria, thus making your efforts counterproductive.

Bonus Tip: Do not use acidic cleaners as they tend to dissolve the grout!

Step #4: Get Those Stubborn Stains!

We all have those stubborn stains that just won’t go away! Fear no more, there is an effortless way to efficiently remove those pesky stains! Mix two tablespoons of oxygenated bleach with two cups of warm water. Before wiping it all over your floor, test your solution in a small spot to ensure that it will not cause any discoloration.

*Side note: Oxygenated bleach in made with hydrogen peroxide and sodium carbonate. When exposed to water, the bleach releases oxygen that removes dirt and stains from your surface.

After you ensure that there is no damage on your floor, apply your paste all over the grout and let it sit for 15 minutes. When the 15 minutes are up, use your scrub brush and scrub in circular motions to lift the stubborn dirt and bacteria.

Bonus Tip: It is recommended that you use oxygenated bleach over chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach has the potential to lift the color from tinted grout.

Step #5: Seal the Deal!

After scrubbing your tiles all around, apply the grout sealer to your tiles. This step prevents large amounts of dirt and bacteria from building up in a short period of time.

Step #6: Steam Away the Stains! (Optional)

If those stains are just too pesky for your liking, you can always steam the stains away! Once your portable steamer is all ready to go, apply the cleaning brush to all of the problem areas and wipe them away. Once you are done, dry off your tiles completely and apply the grout sealer.

This step is perfect for those with bad knees or a bad back. You get the same effective cleaning, but you don’t have to strain your joints to do so!

Prevention Tips

In order to prevent a large amount of buildup on the grout, pour some rubbing alcohol and wipe down the problem areas. 
So now that you’ve cleaned your tile grout, you should consider cleaning your tile floor. I know when I start cleaning I get in the zone and I can’t stop! Find a quick and easy way to clean your entire kitchen floor here!

I know you’ve read about NanoTowels all throughout the article and you’re probably sick of hearing about them; however, NanoTowels are extremely effective! At just $20, NanoTowels clean and dry all of your surfaces. Additionally, this eliminates all of the extra costs of normal paper towels. Sure, $5 here and there doesn’t seem like much but it does add up, and when it does I’ll be at the nail salon. Think of it this way, a new set of nails or a bunch of paper towels that are going to go in the garbage after every use. Act fast and get your NanoTowels now!

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Clean Tile Grout

How often should I clean my tile grout?

You should wipe down your tiles with alcohol at least once a week to prevent bacteria buildup.

Does it matter what color tile grout I have?

It does not specifically matter what color your grout is; however, it is easier to keep a cleaner look with darker color grout rather than lighter color grout.

Will switching to a softer water system help fight grout and tile stains in my bathroom?

Absolutely! Although these systems are a bit pricey, a water softening system removes metals from waters thus allowing for a deeper clean with less soap!