Tiles are a top choice for flooring in the home. They’re water resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. They also look modern and super sleek when carefully looked after.

But while the tiles themselves are easy to wipe clean, the grout in between isn’t nearly as painless. When spills penetrate the grout, they tend to soak in, leaving tarnished and soiled-looking grout. And as tiles are often fitted in shared, frequently used rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen, they’re even more susceptible to staining and discolouration.

Maintain your tiled floors and have them last longer by keeping your grout clean and sparkling using these simple tips and tricks.

Top tip: To protect your grout from spills and water damage, you can apply grout seal over new or cleaned grout. This works as a barrier against liquids.



MATERIALS YOU’LL NEED

Cleaning agents for DIY grout cleaning

Luckily, you don’t need much for DIY grout cleaning. Just make sure you have:

 

  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Grout brush or a toothbrush (unused of course!)
  • Clean cloth
  • mop.

 



STEPS TO CLEANING TILE GROUT

MIX YOUR SOLUTION

Mix one-part hydrogen peroxide and two-parts baking soda to form a paste.

APPLY MIXTURE

Using your grout brush or toothbrush, spread the solution over the grout, making sure the paste is well applied and wholly covering the grout area.

WAIT FOR IT TO SET

Leave the solution to set into the grout for at least 10 minutes. Feel free to leave it for as long as an hour if you like, but 10-15 minutes should be enough time to work its magic.

SCRUB THE PASTE



You can use the same brush to thoroughly scrub the paste into the grout to remove any dirt or stains. Keep going until you’re happy with the progress it’s made.

WIPE CLEAN

Clean up the excess paste using a cloth. You can also use paper towels if you don’t have any clean rags handy.

MOP

Mopping tiles

For the final touch on your now pristine grout, mop your floors as you normally would. With newly clean grout, your tiled floors will look immaculately fresh and ready to impress.

Top tip: The grout in your shower is unfortunately an optimal environment for mould and mildew to grow, due to it constantly being damp. To help prevent mould from occurring, use a squeegee to wipe the tiles and shower doors dry after every use. Also ensure you make use of fans and dehumidifiers when showering.



CLEANING GROUT WITH A STEAM CLEANER

Alternatively, if you’ve spent too much time scrubbing your floors using a toothbrush and need an easier, more time-efficient way to get your tiles cleaned, a steam cleaner presents the perfect solution.

A steamer will help you achieve a thorough and sanitised clean of your grout and tiles, without vigorous brush scrubbing on your part. Many steam cleaners come with suitable attachments made for effectively lifting dirt and grime out of the grout between tiles.

The process is simple and carried out in just two parts: cleaning the grout with the steam cleaner and then using a cloth or mop to wipe up the excess dirt and moisture. Remember to only use a steamer on unsealed grout as it’s strong enough to remove the sealant!

To help find the best steamer cleaner for you, read our Steam Cleaner Buying Guide for more information on all the different types and brands we have available.