Make Your Tile Grout Look New Again with This Two-Ingredient Cleaner

You may have specifically chosen grout when designing your home, or it might have come with the home you purchased. Either way, grout must be cleaned, and if you’re looking for a natural method, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are an effective solution. This combination is ideal because it attacks both problems associated with grout simultaneously—embedded dirt in a porous surface and light staining.

“Baking soda is a mild abrasive that allows you to lightly scrub the soil out of the grout's tiny pores and texture without damaging the grout itself,” explains cleaning expert and professional organizer Elena Navarro. Meanwhile, the hydrogen peroxide has the ability to oxidize and lighten. “It breaks down organic stains and acts as a mild bleach,” Navarro adds. “So, when applied to a stained grout line, the peroxide provides a quick brightening of the area, leaving it appearing cleaner and whiter.”

Safety Precautions

Navarro exclusively uses regular 3 percent hydrogen peroxide purchased from the local pharmacy for her clients' grout cleaning needs. She cautions against using the stronger hair developer or industrial-strength peroxides for DIY grout cleaning. “Wear gloves if you have sensitive skin and avoid splashing the mixture into your eyes,” she says. 

You also want to prevent the mixture from coming into contact with natural stone—such as polished marble or travertine—as the peroxide may damage the finish. 

However, the most important thing to remember is never mix the peroxide paste with bleach, vinegar, or any other chemicals that may react with each other. “Although many people may want to ‘boost’ their homemade cleaning products, mixing bleach and hydrogen peroxide creates potentially hazardous fumes, and adding vinegar does not improve the cleaning properties of the product,” Navarro warns. 

Finally, be sure you have good ventilation in the room where you’re cleaning, and test the solution on an inconspicuous area of the grout first.

Step-by-Step Cleaning Guide

Navarro’s basic method begins with dry grout.

1. Vacuum or sweep the grout area before applying the paste. 
2. Wipe the grout lines with a slightly damp cloth, removing any loose dust.
3. Mix approximately two parts baking soda to one part hydrogen peroxide—the 3 percent solution. 
4. Apply the paste directly to the grout lines, using either a small brush or gloved fingers.
5. Spread the paste evenly and thinly across the grout lines, avoiding clumps. 
6. Allow the paste to sit for approximately five to 10 minutes. 
7. Use a stiff-bristle grout brush or an old toothbrush to gently scrub the grout lines in circular motions. 
8. Rinse the grout lines with clean water until all residue is removed. 
9. Allow the grout to dry completely before stepping on it or determining whether additional rounds are necessary.

If the grout area is greasy—such as kitchen floors and areas around stoves—Navarro suggests including a small amount of plain dish soap to help cut any oil residue.

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Navarro approaches particularly dirty grout the same way she approaches stains. “To loosen surface debris on the grout lines, first pre-scrub the lines with hot water and a brush,” she explains. “Next, apply a slightly thicker paste of baking soda and peroxide, increasing the dwell time to 15 minutes while monitoring the paste to ensure it does not dry out.” 

Depending upon the severity of the problem, Navarro may put strips of damp paper towels or old white cloths over the paste to maintain moisture longer and allow the peroxide to continue acting on the stains. 

Additionally, Navarro prefers to repeat the entire cleaning process two or three times, which she finds to be less aggressive on the grout than scrubbing it hard one time. 

When it comes to vertical surfaces like shower walls, Navarro makes the paste slightly thicker so that it adheres better, then cleans smaller sections of grout at a time. “I always complete the cleaning process with a final good rinse, using either a handheld shower or multiple passes with a wet microfiber mop, as any remaining paste will attract new dirt,” she advises. 

If grout remains unclean after multiple cleaning rounds, you are likely dealing with permanent staining or wear. You may need to consider new grout or the application of a grout color sealant after all cleaning and drying is complete.