No matter how clean your toilet, shower, or sink may be, if the grout between your shower or floor tiles is dingy, your entire bathroom will look — and feel — dirty. Luckily, with some elbow grease and this advice on how to clean grout from Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, you can restore even the grimiest grout back to its natural state.
First, choose which route you want to take — homemade cleaners or failsafe products from tried-and-tested brands — and then follow this guide for a cleaner, brighter space.
How to Clean and Whiten Grout in Tiles
Don’t let your grout get past the point of no repair: Clean it every week or as needed to prevent it from yellowing. When you first catch a glimpse of grout haze (or when you just feel like your bathroom needs a refresh), follow this step-by-step guide:
- Mix 3/4 cup household chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water. Or for a ready-made option, try CLR Fresh Scent Bath and Kitchen Cleaner.
- Wearing rubber gloves, use a stiff brush to apply the formula to one small area at a time. Be careful not to let the liquid splatter onto you or surrounding surfaces.
- Let sit for several minutes, then scrub and rinse.
How to Make Homemade Tile Grout Cleaner
Proof that you don’t need to rely on bleach and other chemicals to make your bathroom sparkle. Instead, turn to your pantry for all the ingredients you need to make this all-natural cleaner. To note: This mixture isn’t quite as powerful as commercial cleaners or bleach, so it may take extra elbow grease and patience to get noticeable results.
- Mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. Apply it to the grout.
- Let sit a few minutes, then scrub and rinse.
How to Prevent Future Grout Haze
General rule of thumb: The drier you keep your space, the less you’ll have to clean it. Moisture leads to mildew stains, which is the common cause of yellowing grout. To prevent dingy shower grout, run a squeegee over the tile after you’re done showering. Opening a window, turning on the exhaust fan while showering, or leaving the door open will also reduce moisture.
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