Revive Dingy Grout with Homemade Cleaners

Why Grout Gets Dirty

Grout is the material between tiles on floors, walls, countertops, and other tiled surfaces. Grout is porous and absorbs dirt, grime, and stains over time, making it look dingy and discolored.

There are a few reasons why grout gets dirty:

• Foot traffic – Grout lines get walked on every day, grinding in dirt and grime from shoes. This is especially true for grout lines on kitchen and bathroom floors.

• Moisture – Wet areas like showers and countertops allow grime to seep into the porous grout. Soap scum also builds up in grout lines.

• Spills – Grout is susceptible to stains from spills like coffee, juice, and other liquids. These can leave discolorations if not cleaned up quickly.

• Mold and mildew – Damp, humid areas can cause mold and mildew growth in grout lines in places like showers. This leads to black or orange staining.

Benefits of Homemade Grout Cleaners

Cleaning dingy grout with homemade cleaners has many advantages compared to store-bought cleaners:

• Cost effective – Homemade grout cleaners are much cheaper than commercial cleaners. You likely already have the ingredients at home.

• No harsh chemicals – Store-bought grout cleaners often contain bleach, ammonia, acids, and other harsh chemicals that can be toxic. Homemade cleaners use more natural ingredients that get grout clean without the dangers.

• Customizable – You can tweak homemade grout cleaner recipes to suit your needs, like adding essential oils for scent or upping the cleaning power for tougher stains.

• Eco-friendly – Using natural ingredients is better for the environment compared to chemicals that get washed down the drain. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice are common eco-friendly homemade grout cleaner ingredients.

Homemade Grout Cleaner Recipes

Here are some effective homemade cleaner recipes for reviving dingy grout:

Baking Soda and Vinegar Grout Cleaner

This classic DIY cleaner disinfects and deodorizes grout. The ingredients are very affordable and versatile for cleaning many areas.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup warm water

Instructions:

1. Combine baking soda and vinegar in a spray bottle. The mixture will fizz and bubble.

2. Once fizzing stops, add the warm water and shake to dissolve.

3. Spray directly onto grout lines. Let sit for 3-5 minutes.

4. Scrub with a stiff brush or scrubbing pad to lift dirt from grout pores.

5. Rinse thoroughly with water. Repeat if needed for stubborn stains.

Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda Grout Cleaner

The hydrogen peroxide in this recipe whitens and brightens grout. Baking soda scrubs away grime.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 tbsp liquid dish soap

Instructions:

1. In a spray bottle, mix together all ingredients.

2. Shake bottle to thoroughly combine.

3. Spray mixture directly onto dirty grout and let bubble for 2-3 minutes.

4. Scrub with a grout brush or toothbrush.

5. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Lemon Juice and Salt Grout Cleaner

The acidity in lemon juice helps break down grime and lift stains from grout. Salt acts as a gentle abrasive.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. In a spray bottle, mix together all ingredients. Shake until salt dissolves.

2. Spray over grout lines and let sit for 5 minutes.

3. Scrub with a stiff nylon brush or broom bristles.

4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat if needed for tough stains.

Tips for Getting Grout Super Clean

Here are some handy tips for getting the best results when using homemade grout cleaners:

• Allow cleaner to sit on grout for 5+ minutes before scrubbing to let it fully penetrate and lift stains.
• Use an old toothbrush, grout brush, or broom bristles for scrubbing grout lines. Avoid abrasive scrub sponges.
• For stubborn stains, try a magic eraser sponge after scrubbing.
• Rinse with warm water and repeat cleaning if grout isn’t as white as you’d like.
• Consider re-sealing grout after deep cleaning to protect it going forward.

With some simple homemade grout cleaners and elbow grease, I can restore my tile grout to looking fresh and new again. My go-to is the baking soda and vinegar cleaner for its cost-effectiveness on frequent grout refreshing. What homemade solutions do you rely on for reviving dingy grout?