8 Easy Ways to Clean Grout without Scrubbing

Grout is used to hold tiles on your floor. The leftover grout gives an untidy look to your new floors. Let’s check the 8 easiest and effective ways to clean grout without scrubbing.

1.Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

You will need

• Baking soda: 1 cup
• Hydrogen peroxide: 1 cup
• Dishwashing soap: 1 tbsp. (for better results)

Preparation and Application

• Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a plastic container and add dishwashing soap. Stir well to make a uniform solution.
• Pour the liquid on the stained grout and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. It will soften the grime and dirt on the grout and prepare it for a light scrubbing.
• Scrub the surface gently until you see grout getting clean.

You can vary the amounts mentioned above according to the area you want to clean. However, make sure to add baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in equal amounts. Dishwashing soap is unnecessary, but it makes the work easy and brings shine to the floor.

2. Vinegar, Water, and Lemon

Just a Pro Tip: Vinegar is acidic and may discolor or leave streaks on tiles. It is recommended to check its compatibility with your floor type and test it on an inconspicuous area before applying it on the entire floor.

• White vinegar: 1/6 cup
• Lemon juice: 1/3 cup
• Hot water: 3 ½ cup
• Baking soda: ½ cup
• Spray bottle

Preparation and Application

• Mix all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake them to form a homogenous solution.
• Spray the solution on the dirty grout and let it sit for 1-2 hours. The solution will soften the stubborn grime, dirt, and mold on the grout and make it an easy target for a tireless scrubbing session. Don’t worry; you will not need much elbow grease with this cleaner.

Adding the mixture to a large sprayer like the one you use in your garden will be great for cleaning wall tiles and shower cubicles. Make sure to keep the ratio of the ingredients as mentioned above.

3. Oxygen Bleach

You will need

• Powdered oxygen bleach: 22 grams (1.5 tablespoons)
• Warm water: 1 gallon
• A gallon bucket

Preparation and Application

• Add 1.5 tablespoons that are roughly 22 grams of powdered oxygen bleach in one gallon of warm water. Stir the water gently with a wooden spatula or a plastic pipe.
• Pour the solution over grout lines but don’t flood them and let it rest for 20 minutes.
• Rinse the solution with tap water and enjoy a shining new-like grout.

Please note that oxygen bleach is a powerful chemical and can damage the grout lines if used excessively. Hence, it is important to dilute it before using it.

4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Toilet bowl cleaners with bleach can also remove light grout marks. It also works best to remove dust and debris in grout lines between the tiles. Please be careful and get over the process quickly, as toilet bowl cleaners can damage the grout lines.

5. Chlorine Bleach

You can use chlorine bleach to remove stubborn grout leftovers. Chlorine has a pungent smell and can irritate your skin, eyes, and nose. Hence it is recommended to wear safety gloves, face mask, and goggles while working with it.

Apply chlorine bleach on grout stains and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove grout stains.

6. Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners soften the grime on grout lines and make it easy to clean them. Set the cleaner to 200°F (93°C), hold the steamer close to dirty grout lines and move it back and forth to melt the grime. Scrub lightly and then wash with clean water.

7. Alkaline Cleaners

Alkaline cleaners are commercial products specifically made for cleaning the grout lines. They are best for removing mold, mildew, and grime in the lines.

The application process varies from one commercial product to another. Therefore, you must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations while working with the product and take safety measures as indicated.

8. Grout Colorant & Sealant

Grout colorant and sealant are best for filling cracks and re-coloring the grout. It is frequently used in DIY renovation projects.

How to Clean Shower Grout without Scrubbing

Cleaning showier grout without scrubbing is not so much different than cleaning floor grout. You may need a step stool or small ladder depending on the height of the wall tiles. All of the methods discussed above can be used to clean shower grout. However, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is the best and easiest way to clean shower grout.

In this section of the article, we will discuss tips on how to clean shower grout without scrubbing. Just a pro tip: let the hot water tap run for 5-10 minutes so that the steam builds up, steam softens the grout, and lets the cleaning solution work better.

You will need the following supplies for removing grout from shower tiles without scrubbing.

• Baking soda: 1 cup
• Hydrogen peroxide: 1 cup
• Ladder

Application Procedure

• Start by mixing one cup of baking soda and one cup of hydrogen peroxide in a mixing bowl. Stir well.
• Apply the cleaning mixture on the grout lines and let it sit for 10-20 minutes.
• You will need a ladder or a step stool for high-up tiles.
• Once the mixture settles in, use a clean cloth to wipe it off.
• Rinse with water and wipe the tiles clean.
• Let the walls get dry; open windows and doors of the washroom, and turn on the exhaust fan.

FAQs

Is vinegar harmful to floors?

Vinegar is an acidic product and can harm floors and grout between the tiles. However, when it is diluted, it becomes harmless. Another way to ensure that it doesn’t harm your floor is to not let it sit for a long period.

Does cleaning methods impact grime buildup on grout?

Yes. Wrong cleaning methods cause many problems when it comes to grime buildup in grout lines. The common causes include selecting the wrong floor cleaner/soap/detergent. Inadequate rinsing after mopping also contributes to grime buildup.

How can I maximize the efficiency of homemade grout cleaning solutions?

Use the following tips to get maximum results from homemade liquids

Sitting Time: Allow the solution’s sitting time as indicated in each method. If you wash the liquid immediately, it will not get enough time to loosen out the grime in the grout lines.

Hot Water: Use hot water while preparing the liquid and rinsing after applying the homemade solution. Hot water is more effective than tap water and helps clear any stuck dirt and grime.

Regular Cleaning: As already discussed, regular grout cleaning goes a long way in keeping your tiled floors and walls neat and clean. If you clean the grout lines every 4 months, you will not need to scrub them or use harsh chemicals that risk corroding grout lines.

How to maintain a clean grout?

• Place walk-off rugs or shoe mats on all the entrance points in your home, especially at the entrance points of tiles surfaces such as washrooms.
• Avoid wearing outside shoes inside your home and keep separate sleepers/shoes for washrooms.
• Clean your pet feet before letting them in your home.
• Dry the tiles with a wiper after they get wet and leave windows open/fans on after washing.
• Do regular cleaning and periodic maintenance.
• Vacuum and mop your floor regularly.
• Seal your grout once every year.