Emile MackieCleaning the grout stains is an uphill battle. It’s a very difficult and messy task. There are a wide range of grout cleaners available in the market. However, some products that are easily available at your home can also clean those dirty and tough stains. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, bleach and salt are some of them. They will help clean the grubby grout lines without digging a hole in your pocket.
Here are some simple and easy recipes for homemade grout cleaners that will give the newfangled touch to your old and grimy tiles.
Recipe 1
Ingredients
- Ammonia – 1/3 cup
- White vinegar – ¼ cup
- Baking soda – ½ cup
Method
Take all the three ingredients in the given proportion. Mix them properly and apply the mixture on the grimy grouts. Allow it to settle. After 20 minutes, use a scrubber to clean this solution and wash the floor with plain water.
Note – It is a strong grout cleaner that can make the floor dirt-free. But don’t use this solution on travertine tile, limestone or marble.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
- Baking soda – ¼ cup
- Vinegar – ¼ cup
- Salt – ¼ cup
Method
Take a small container and mix all the above ingredients properly. Apply the resultant mix on the ground (grouts). Let it sit for 20 minutes but don’t allow it to dry. Later, wash and scrub the paste with the lukewarm water.
Note – Not recommended for limestone, marble, and travertine tile.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
- Baking soda – 3/4 cup
- Bleach – ¼ cup
- Water
Method
Combine bleach and baking soda in a small container. Add water to make a paste. Now, apply it on the filthy grout lines. The bleach in this mixture will remove all the dirt and give your tile a new look.
- Alternatively, you can add lemon juice instead of bleach.
Note – The above recipe is mainly for light/white colored grout lines, so don’t use it on the colored ones as it can result into fading of its original color.
Recipe 4
Ingredients
- Baking soda – 3 cups
- Water – 1 cup
Method
Combine baking soda and water to form a paste. Now, apply it on the dirty grout. Allow it to stay for a couple of minutes. Afterwards, rinse it.
Recipe 5
Ingredients
- Hydrogen peroxide – 1 part
- Baking soda – 3 parts
Method
Mix both the ingredients and apply it on the grouts. The hydrogen peroxide in this recipe can bleach out the dirt and give your floor a clear appearance. Wait for a couple of minutes before rinsing with the lukewarm water.
Note – Don’t use this solution on the colored grouts. However, it can be tested on the marble.
Recipe 6
Ingredients
- Bleach – ¼ cup
- Alcohol – ¼ cup
- Water – 1 cup
Method
Take a big bowl and mix all the ingredients in it. Shake the solution properly and apply gently on the grout lines. Let it get drenched and wash off after 30 minutes. The bleach in this recipe will kill all the germs and fungus, and the alcohol will sanitize the area.
Note – Avoid its usage on the colored grouts.
Recipe 7
Ingredients
- Chlorine bleach
- Water
- Spray bottle
Method
Mix chlorine bleach and water in equal proportion and add this solution to a spray bottle. Now squirt the solution directly on the dirty grout lines. Allow it to sit for an hour. Wash off with the clean water.
Recipe 8
Ingredients
- Liquid Castille soap/dish soap – 3 tbsp
- Baking soda – ½ cup
- Washing soda – 2 tbsp
- Borax – 2 tbsp
Method
This recipe is the best for tough stains. Mix all the ingredients and apply it on the grouts. Wait for 15 minutes. Scrub with a brush and rinse off with the plain water.
Recipe 9
Ingredients
- Hydrogen peroxide – ¼ cup
- Baking soda – ½ cup
- Liquid dish soap – 1 teaspoon
Method
Mix all the above ingredients in a container. Now, spread the mixture on the dirty grout lines and wait for 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, scrub it and rinse off with the clean water.
Recipe 10
Ingredients
- Oxygen bleach – 1 cup
- Lukewarm water
Method
Mix oxygen bleach in a bucket full of warm water. In order to saturate the grout lines, pour the solution on the dry floor. Leave it for 30 minutes. Scrub the solution by using a brush and wash off with the plain water.
Guidelines for Cleaning the Grout
Before using any of the above remedies, consider the below-mentioned tips to get the best results:
- Don’t use wire brush as they can damage the grout and tile.
- To protect your skin from the harmful chemicals, wear gloves while cleaning the grout lines.
- Before using any recipe, test them on a smaller area to know its outcome.
- Whenever any stain occurs, clear it immediately.
- Do not try to clean the cracked grouts.
What you need for your DIY Grout cleaner:
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of baking soda
1/4 cup of white vinegar
1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
non-abrasive Scrubbing sponge
Mix water, vinegar, and lemon juice. Slowly add the baking soda in the liquid mixture while stirring. Fizz This will cause it to fizz up with bubbles.
Go over to the area with dirty grout.
With a plastic spatula spread the mixture along one section of the grout lines. Let it sit for a couple of minutes, and then use your scrubbing sponge too, scrub on the areas with grout. Good idea to test a small space; this will help you make sure that the mixture doesn’t have a strange reaction to your tile. Also, a toothbrush is another handy tool for this project.
Cloe Ratliff
