Prep first
Before you start
- Find out which grout you have. If you can't tell, treat it as cement grout, which is porous and needs a sealer.
- Check whether the grout was sealed and with what, because that decides which products are safe to use.
- Test your cleaner in a small hidden spot and let it dry before you clean the whole area.
Grout is the porous filler between your tiles, and cement-based grout soaks up spills, oil and soap film, which makes it look dingy long before the tile does. Epoxy grout is far tougher and is nearly as stain-proof as the tile itself. Before you start, find out which kind you have, because it decides which cleaners and sealers are safe to use.
Shower grout and floor grout get the same deep clean, though the grime differs. A diluted tile-and-grout cleaner and a nylon brush do most of the work. A steam cleaner helps when stubborn grime won't lift.
Before you start
What grout can take
Safe to use4
- Water
- Hot water
- Enzyme cleaners
- Heat (dryer, iron, hot air)
Use with care5
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
7 items
What you'll need
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- Heavy-duty tile and grout cleanerIts concentrate is diluted one part to two or three parts water for built-up soil. (opens Amazon)
- Two buckets of clean waterOne mixes the cleaner and one rinses, and the rinse water gets changed when it turns dirty.
- White nylon scrubpad or stiff nylon bristle brushNylon is the recommended tool, and abrasive scrubbers can damage grout. (opens Amazon)
- Mop or wet vacuumLifts the dirty solution out of the joints before it dries back in. (opens Amazon)
- Broom or vacuumRemoves loose grit before any water touches the grout.
- Paper towels or a white clothBlots spills right away and shows you when a stain is lifting. (opens Amazon)
- Penetrating grout sealer (cement grout only)Bonds into the grout and repels water-based stains once the grout is fully dry. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Vacuum up the loose grit
Sweep or vacuum the tiled area first to lift the loose grit. Once it gets wet, that grit turns into an abrasive paste that you would be grinding into the joints.
Step 2 of 7
Mix and apply the cleaner
Mix one part heavy-duty tile and grout cleaner with two to three parts water. Apply it to one small section at a time and let it dwell for up to 10 minutes.
Tip. Extra cleaner is harder to rinse out, so measure the dilution carefully.
Step 3 of 7
Scrub the joints
Scrub along the grout lines with a white nylon scrubpad or a medium, stiff nylon bristle brush. Work the joints rather than the tile face so the dirt comes out of the grout itself.
Tip. Start with the dirtiest joints, then move on to the rest of the section.
Careful. Abrasive cleaners and harsh scrubbing can damage grout, so stick with nylon tools.
Step 4 of 7
Lift the dirty solution
Pick up the cleaner and dirt with a mop or wet vacuum before it dries back into the joints. Repeat for each section as you go, keeping pace with the scrubbing.
Tip. Change the mop water often so the soil doesn't go back onto the grout.
Step 5 of 7
Rinse with clean water
Rinse the grout with clean water, then pick up the rinse water the same way. Change the rinse water when it gets dirty, or about every 300 square feet.
Step 6 of 7
Let it dry completely
Let the tile and grout dry completely, and keep foot traffic light until then. Give the grout the full 48 hours before you apply any sealer.
Tip. A fan or an open window speeds up drying.
Step 7 of 7
Seal cement grout
Once the grout is fully dry, apply a penetrating sealer to cement grout. Penetrating sealers bond with the grout and repel water-based stains. Skip this step on epoxy grout, which doesn't need it.
Careful. Acid generally can't be used over an acrylic sealer, so check what was applied before you clean.
What makes the job easier
Best products for cleaning grout
Choose a clear, pH-neutral tile and grout cleaner for everyday cleaning and a heavy-duty one for deep soil. Test any product in a small hidden area first.
Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener
Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold
Libman Swivel Grout & Scrub Brush (#1559)
How we picked these: each product is made for cleaning grout, its maker doesn't warn against using it on grout, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →Spots that survive a deep clean are usually stains, and each stain has its own method.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The grout should look even in color, with no dull film or sticky feel, and the joints should look clean all the way down. If it still looks dingy or feels tacky once dry, rinse it again and let it dry fully before deciding whether it needs another pass.
Treat stains with their own method
Got a stain on it?
A deep clean lifts everyday dirt, but most stains need their own method. Pick yours:
What changes for yours
Adjust for where the grout is
Cement grout
Cement grout is porous, so it soaks up stains and dirt faster than epoxy, and it is the type that needs a sealer. Seal it only after the full drying time has passed.
If the grout has a topical coating rather than a penetrating sealer, check the product before cleaning, since harsh cleaners strip sealers.
Epoxy grout
Epoxy grout has very low absorption, so it doesn't need sealing and resists stains better than cement does. Dirty epoxy grout can be cleaned back to its original color, which cement grouts cannot do.
The same deep clean works on epoxy, but keep the dilution exact, since extra cleaner is harder to rinse out of it. Rinse with clean hot water for the best results.
Shower grout
Shower grout mostly collects soap scum and mildew, which build up in the joints and cling to the surface. Soapy dirt needs repeated rinsing with clear water and brushing of the joints as you go, and vacuum extraction works best for it.
For mold or soap scum, use a cleaner made for that job rather than a general tile cleaner, and test it in a hidden spot first.
Floor grout
Floor grout takes the most foot traffic, so grit and spills work into the joints quickly. Sweep or vacuum often, since that grit is what wears grout down over time.
When you mop, use a cleaner and pick up the water before it dries, which suits both cement and epoxy grout. Epoxy grout can take clean hot water for the rinse, while cement grout is best cleaned with warm water.
Between deep cleans
How often to clean it
Scrub the grout monthly, and do the full deep clean whenever the lines look dingy again. Between those, sweep or vacuum often and remove spills as soon as they happen.
For everyday cleaning, use a clear, pH-neutral tile and grout cleaner and remove the mop water before it dries. Seal cement grout to guard against water- and oil-based stains, and remember that epoxy grout doesn't need it.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work for cleaning grout?
These are the household products people reach for on grout. The deep clean uses one tile and grout cleaner, and the rest either help with specific spots or should stay off grout.
Helps2Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mix bleach with ammonia
Bleach mixed with ammonia or ammonia-based detergents forms a toxic gas. Keep those products apart, and rinse fully between any two cleaners you use.
Don't use oil or wax cleaners
Oil- and wax-based cleaners leave a film in the grout that attracts more dirt. A water-based tile and grout cleaner does the job without it.
Don't let the cleaner dry on the surface
Cleaner that dries on the grout is harder to rinse out completely. Work in small sections so each one is scrubbed and lifted before it can dry.
Don't leave cleaner residue behind
Even a good alkaline cleaner leaves a sticky soap film if you don't rinse it off. That film grabs dirt, so the grout gets dingy faster than it should.
Don't use strong acid to lift stains
Strong acid can strip color from grout, and it can leave the joints powdery or sandy. Grout makers don't recommend it for stubborn stains, and acid work is best left to a professional.
Troubleshooting
If it still isn't clean
Pick what you're seeing:
Grout looks cloudy or sticky after drying
That is usually leftover cleaner, which attracts dirt. Rinse the area again with clean water, pick up the water, and let it dry fully before judging the result.
Grout looks powdery or sandy
Strong acid or harsh cleaning can cause this, and cleaning won't bring back the original look. Contact the grout maker's technical support for advice on the damage.
A stain is still there after the deep clean
For a specific stain, treat it first with that stain's own method. If it still stays, try pressurized steam, and cutting out the grout and regrouting is the last resort.
When to call a professional
Deeply set stains and efflorescence are best handled by a professional, since acid work needs extreme care. Contact the grout maker's technical support for especially stubborn stains. Grout makers refer questions like these to their technical teams.
Questions
Can I use baking soda on grout?
Yes, for light soap film and everyday grime. Baking soda is a gentle alkaline scrub that works best with a damp cloth. It won't replace the deep clean for heavy soil, and baking powder is a different product, so stick with baking soda.
Does a steam cleaner clean grout?
It can, as a backup. Pressurized steam can clean stains that don't respond to conventional cleaners, so save it for grout that stays dirty after the deep clean.
How do I clean grout without damaging it?
Stick with gentle tools and cleaners, and keep abrasive and harsh products out of your routine. Sweep or vacuum often, since abrasive grit is what wears down the joints over time. Nylon brushes and pads are the tools to use, and a pH-neutral cleaner suits everyday care.
Will cleaning bring back the original grout color?
It depends on the grout type. Dirty epoxy grout can be cleaned back to its original color, but cement grouts cannot. A full rinse keeps residue from making the color look dull again.
How long should I wait before walking on the grout?
Wait until the tile and grout are completely dry before light foot traffic. If you plan to seal cement grout, wait at least 48 hours after the deep clean first.
Can I use a mold or soap scum cleaner on shower grout?
Yes, a cleaner made for mold or soap scum is the right choice for those stains. Test it in a hidden spot first, and rinse it fully so no film is left behind.
Methods, care labels and related guides
Good to know
More cleaning guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.