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The Best Expert Tips on How to Clean Grout in Tiles Quickly & Easily
Expert Tips on How to Clean Grout:
Tiles can take your bathroom, kitchen or alfresco area from drab to designer…but it’s grout that holds the whole thing together. Literally.
Whether you’ve got stunning bathroom floor tiles or a splashback tile worthy of a spot in a reno mag …dingy grout can drag your whole look down.
Luckily, bringing grout back to its former glory doesn’t require a renovation budget. You just need a few expert tricks, the right tools, and a bit of elbow grease.
In this guide, we cover the best methods for how to clean grout in tiles, quickly, easily, and without damaging your tile surface.
Plus, we throw in tile-specific tips for bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas to help you grout with confidence.
Highlights:
- Grout gets dirty fast due to its porous surface, especially in wet or high-traffic areas.
- Baking soda + vinegar: Great DIY for light stains. Avoid on natural stone.
- Hydrogen peroxide paste: Tackles mould and heavy grime. Patch test first.
- Grout cleaners: Easy and effective for regular use. Choose pH-neutral for delicate tiles.
- Steam cleaning: Chemical-free option for sealed grout and textured tiles.
- Bleach: Last resort for white grout only. Avoid on coloured or natural tiles.
- Tile-specific care: Use gentle, non-acidic cleaners on marble, terrazzo, and Moroccan tiles.
- Outdoor grout: Use neutral cleaners, low-pressure wash, and reseal every 6 months.
- Keep grout cleaner: Wipe down daily, reseal often, use neutral mops, and consider darker grout shades.
- Cheapestiles Tip: We stock grout, sealers, and cleaning products. Get in touch for personalised advice.
Why Is Grout So Hard to Keep Clean?
Grout is a porous material, which means it naturally soaks up moisture, dirt, and grime. Throw in daily foot traffic, soap scum, shampoo spills or food splatters, and it’s no surprise grout can go from wonder white to worn-out and woeful in no time.
It’s most noticeable between light-coloured tiles, such as marble look tiles, white Moroccan mosaics, or soft concrete tones. However, even with slip-resistant tiles and high-quality sealants, grout still requires some maintenance to stay looking fresh. That’s why regular grout cleaning isn’t just about appearances… It’s about protecting your tiles, your surfaces, and the overall feel of your space. A little upkeep goes a long way in keeping everything looking sharp, fresh, and clean.
Method 1: The Good Old Baking Soda & Vinegar Combo:
If you’re a fan of natural cleaning, this DIY trick is grout gold.
What you need:
- Bicarbonate of soda
- White vinegar
- Old toothbrush or grout brush
- Warm water
How to do it:
- Sprinkle baking soda along the grout lines.
- Spray or pour vinegar directly over the top – watch it fizz (and clean) on contact.
- Wait 5–10 minutes, then scrub gently with your brush.
- Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.
Best for: Bathroom floor tiles, mosaic tiles, and wall tiles with light to moderate staining.
Cheapestile Tip: Avoid using this method on unsealed natural stone or marble tiles — the acid in vinegar can damage the surface.
Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide Paste for Stubborn Stains
If your grout is well past the “light refresh” phase, it might need something more substantial.
What you need:
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- Baking soda
- Dishwashing liquid (optional)
How to do it:
- Mix into a paste, 1/2 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup peroxide. Add a dash of dish soap if you’re dealing with grease.
- Apply the grout and let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Scrub and rinse well.
Best for: Bathroom wall tiles, kitchen splashbacks, or areas with mould or heavy discolouration.
Cheapestile Tip: Always patch test a small area first, especially on coloured grout or decorative tiles like terrazzo tiles, Moroccan tiles or mosaic tiles.
Method 3: Grout-Specific Cleaners
Sometimes, the easiest route is to opt for a store-bought cleaner.
Dedicated grout cleaners are formulated to lift tough stains without damaging tile surfaces. Look for pH-neutral options when cleaning around marble tiles, concrete-look tiles, or terrazzo tiles.
How to do it:
- Spray directly onto grout lines.
- Let it soak in for the time listed on the label.
- Scrub and rinse thoroughly.
Best for: Quick cleans, spot treatments, and regular tile maintenance.
Cheapest Tile Tip: Pair these with steam mops or tile scrubbing pads to cut the effort in half.
Method 4: Steam Cleaning Grout Without Chemicals
Do you have a steam cleaner or steam mop with a grout attachment? You’re already winning.
How to do it:
- Attach the grout nozzle and fire up the steam.
- Work section by section, wiping away residue as you go.
- Allow grout to dry completely before resealing or walking on floors.
Best for: Slip-proof tiles or floor tiles in wet areas, sealed concrete look tiles, and terrazzo bathroom floor tiles.
Cheapestile Tip: Don’t use steam on unsealed or damaged grout — it may worsen cracks or loosen tiles.
Method 5: Bleach (gloves and protective eyewear essential)
At Cheapestile, our tile care experts don’t recommend bleach as your first choice, but if all else fails and you’re determined to remove these stains, here are your ‘last resort’ steps.
How to do it:
- Dilute 1 part bleach to 5 parts water.
- Apply carefully using a sponge or dropper along the grout lines.
- Ventilate the space well and rinse thoroughly after 5 minutes.
Cheapest Tile Tips: Use only on white grout and only if you’ve tried everything else. Avoid contact with coloured grout and delicate tile types, such as natural stone tiles, Moroccan tiles or mosaic tiles.
Grout-Cleaning Tips for Specific Tile Styles
Different tile styles have different cleaning needs. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Marble Tiles: No vinegar, no bleach, no harsh scrubbing. Use pH-neutral cleaners only.
- Terrazzo Tiles: Mild soap and water, plus soft brushes. Avoid abrasive powders.
- Moroccan Tiles: Handcrafted means delicate. Stick to soft cloths and non-acidic sprays.
- Concrete Look Tiles: A tough surface, often paired with light grout. Keep it clean with neutral solutions.
- Slip Proof Tiles: The texture can trap dirt, so steam or use a firm-bristled grout brush to remove stains effectively.
Reseal Your Grout:
Cleaning is just half of grout maintenance. The other? Sealing.
To keep your grout looking fresh for longer, resealing it every 6–12 months is recommended, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas.
Not sure if it’s time? Splash a bit of water on your grout:
- If it beads up, you’re fine.
- If it soaks in, it’s time to reseal.
Cheapestile Tip: Ask the Cheapestiles team about compatible sealers for your tiles to make sure your grout’s protected without compromising your tile surface.
Outdoor Grout Cleaning:
Yes, grout lives outside, too. It’s most commonly found in patios, alfresco kitchens, BBQ splashbacks and tiled pathways. Concrete-look and stone look tiles tend to hide grime well, but grout lines show the grime if left dirty.
Here’s Cheapest Tile’s top three tips to keep it clean:
- Use a pressure cleaner on the lowest setting to avoid grout erosion.
- Stick to neutral tile cleaners to protect nearby plant life.
- Reseal every 6 months in high-traffic or exposed areas.
How to Keep Grout Cleaner for Longer
Once your grout’s back to white, grey, or whatever shade it’s meant to be, here’s how to keep it that way:
- Wipe down wet areas daily – especially bathrooms
- Use grout sealer regularly.
- Mop with pH-neutral solutions.
- Avoid bleach and strong acids unless absolutely necessary
- Choose darker grout shades if you’re prone to mess (it hides the sins)
How Cheapestiles Makes Grout Cleaning Easy
At Cheapestiles, we don’t just stock beautiful tiles — we have a range of grouts, sealers, and cleaning products to help you grout it out the right way.
Whether you’re choosing grout colours, formulas, or need some advice on matching, we will help you select the right tile grout and cleaning products to suit your tile style.
Call 02 9790 4273 or email info@cheapestiles.com.au, and we’ll guide you through it step by step.
TL;DR – Quick & Easy Grout Cleaning Guide
Grout holds tiles together but gets dirty fast due to its porous nature. Regular cleaning protects your tiles and keeps spaces looking fresh. For light stains, use baking soda and vinegar; for tough grime or mould, a hydrogen peroxide paste works well. Grout-specific cleaners are convenient, especially pH-neutral options for delicate tiles, while steam cleaning is effective for sealed or textured grout. Bleach is a last resort for white grout only. Always reseal grout every 6–12 months. Daily wiping, neutral mops, and darker grout shades help maintain cleanliness. Cheapestiles offers grouts, sealers, and expert advice for tile care.
Still not sure how many tiles you need?
Use our free tile calculator to get an instant estimate in square metres and then add a 10% buffer for offcuts, layout changes or sneaky mistakes. Got an oddly shaped room or complex layout? Give us a call. We’re happy to walk you through it. Call 02 9790 4273 or email info@cheapestiles.com.au and let’s get your tile project squared away.