While vinegar alone can be too aggressive on grout, when you mix it with Dawn, you'll dilute some of that harshness while still maintaining its cleaning qualities. To ensure the soap and the vinegar mix thoroughly, heat the vinegar for a minute in the microwave before combining with soap. Apply using a spray bottle and scrub away. There are a lot of products out there to choose from—just make sure you're using something that is compatible with your type of tile and grout.
As mentioned, bleach is very powerful but you have to use it with caution on tile grout. It can also bleach out tiles, depending on the tile material. So only use it sparingly—once a month is plenty—and dilute it with water before applying.
A note: Bleach cleaning won't last as long on shower tiles because every time you run the shower, the water will wear away the effects of the bleach. Use it in spaces that don't get a daily soak. But even so, always be sure to read the fine print to make sure it's a grout cleaner that works on your particular type of tile. Country Life. Design Ideas. Home Maintenance. That's less true for highly acidic cleaners such as vinegar, with a pH around 2 and highly alkaline cleaners such as bleach, with a pH around 12 , so you want to use them very sparingly.
Then grab that stiff brush again and give it another scrub. A Magic Eraser can also make quick work of stubborn stains but know that you might go through more than one to get a room full of tiles sparkly. After scrubbing, use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to remove any remaining grout cleaner. Just make sure you're using a clean cloth and fresh water, says Maker. For super-stubborn stains, the Tile Council of America recommends alkaline cleaners such as Mr.
Clean or Spic and Span over-acidic options. For any non-neutral cleaner, Rodderick suggests doing a quick test in a small, inconspicuous spot.
Wait a few minutes to make sure you don't spot discoloration or damage before moving on to the rest of the grout lines. Hot, humid bathrooms with limited circulation are like dream environments for mold spores. While bleach does effectively kill mold on non-porous surfaces, like tiles and countertops, it's not as effective on porous surfaces like caulk, drywall, wood, and grout.
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The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Advisor. And if you have coarse or fragile tiles, mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide. If desired, you can also use a commercial grout cleaner. Use a grout brush or old toothbrush to apply the paste to the grout lines.
If you're using the vinegar solution, apply a small amount of paste to an inconspicuous area to make sure the acidic vinegar doesn't stain the tile. Let the paste sit on the grout for a few minutes, then scrub all of the grout lines. Rinse clean with water. Let the grout dry for 24 hours, then apply a sealer to preserve your hard work. Editor's Tip: To get twice the scrubbing power, use an old electric toothbrush to apply the grout. Don't scrub too hard, though, or you risk damaging the grout.
Wear safety goggles to prevent the bleach from splattering in your eyes, and keep the work area ventilated. Alternatively, try a foaming grout cleaner, which might need to soak for several minutes to be effective. For deeply stained grout: If grout is deeply stained and discolored, replace it. Tile stores sell and sometimes rent tools for removing grout. Run the tool along the grout, taking care not to scratch the surrounding tile.
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