It doesn’t matter how well you clean your floors or walls, if you’ve got dirty tile grout, your home is going to look unclean.

Dirty and grimy tile grout in the bathroom is generally caused by mould and mildew, while food spills, steam, and general household traffic are the usual culprits for dirty tile grout in the kitchen.

If you want to tackle your grout grime, you need to use the right materials. Find out how to clean grout on floor tiles and walls to say goodbye to dirty grout and hello to a sparkling home.

Choose the right grout cleaner

From household solutions to store-bought formulas, there are plenty of grout cleaners to choose from. Choosing the right cleaner for your tile grout will depend on the type of stain you’re dealing with.

Vinegar and baking soda

Scrubbing your tile grout using a paste made from vinegar and baking soda is an affordable way to give your tiles a quick pick-me-up. While it will improve the overall appearance of your tile grout, it probably won’t remove any stubborn stains.

Using hydrogen peroxide

This is a great fungicide and whitening agent for your tile grout. Mix it with some white flour to form a paste and get scrubbing!

Using generic grout cleaners

You’ll find a selection of generic household grout cleaners at the supermarket or department store. Always be sure to read directions carefully before use and only use as directed.

Using commercial grout cleaners

If your generic grout cleaner didn’t quite do the trick, try a commercial grout cleaner. Be sure to look for one with a balanced pH level to avoid damaging your grout with continued use.

Use the right brush for cleaning tile grout

The right brush can mean the difference between effective cleaning and scrubbing until your fingers hurt! Choose which brush is best for your home from the options below.

Grout brush

These are specially designed to get into those tight tile grout spaces. Choose a grout brush with bristles that are firm enough to remove dirt and grime, but not so firm to cause damage.

Tile & grout brush

This is a great choice if you have bad knees, or simply don’t like getting on the floor to scrub your tiles, as it will usually have a long handle.

Scrubbing brush

Chances are, you’ve already got one of these lying around at home. Scrubbing brushes are generally perfect for tile grout as their bristles are firm without causing damage to your tiles.

Triangular brush

The narrow end of this brush makes it great for getting into the tile grout. You’ll find these at your local home and hardware store.

Tips for cleaning tile grout

Now you’ve got the right tools on your team, follow these extra tips to clean your tile grout effectively:

Wear gloves to protect your skin from chemicals
Avoid wire brushes as these can scratch and damage your tiles
Test cleaners in an inconspicuous area before use
Clean up dark spills immediately to avoid staining
Don’t clean cracked or loosened grout – this should be removed and replaced
Steer clear of bleach – not only can it cause discolouration to your tiles, it can also cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and lungs, and can increase the risk of infection and illness in children.

How to keep tile grout clean for longer

The best way to keep your grout looking clean long after removing stains is to apply a grout sealer. This will create a protective surface to prevent the grout from absorbing dirt and mildew.

Bring in the professionals

To really see your wall and floor grout shine, it’s worth calling in the professionals. Professional cleaning services are trained to tackle even the toughest tile grout, and have access to all the best equipment for effective grout cleaning and grout sealing.

Cheap As Chips offers a professional tile and grout cleaning service to get your tile grout looking as good as new. Give our friendly team a call on (03) 9826 111 today.

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