Grout can make or break the appearance of your tile floors, backsplashes and walls. White grout makes for a striking contrast with any color tile, but as the grout ages, white becomes dingy and can turn off the whole look of your bathroom or kitchen.
While dirty grout can look gross, it’s also the first step towards challenging the integrity of your tile work. Grout affected with mildew and hard water stains can break down and degrade, causing tiles to loosen.
The easiest way to clean grout is with steam. A handheld steam cleaner with a small nozzle is ideal for directing hot steam into grout crevices. Once steam is applied, simply wipe away the filth with a warm, damp cloth.
If you can’t get your hands on a steam cleaner, cleaning grout will take some serious elbow grease. Household cleaners, like vinegar or baking soda (not mixed together!) with water can be an effective solution. Apply either vinegar diluted with water or a paste made from baking soda and a small amount of water to the grout and scrub with a brush. Rinse thoroughly when the grout appears clean.
Commercial grout cleaners are another effective option. Spray it on and let it sit for the recommended amount of time before scrubbing and rinsing away. Be sure that the cleaning solution is designed for grout; all-purpose cleaners can be too harsh and cause damage or erosion.
To keep your grout looking fresh, seal it with a coat or two of grout sealant after cleaning. Some sealants even come in a pen-shaped dispenser for easy application to the grout.