Tile and stone on a floor or shower are beautiful, but sometimes the grout between them can become dirty and stained. We don't always want to get on our hands and knees to scrub, so you may be wondering the easiest way to clean the grout without scrubbing. Well, we've researched the best scrub-free methods for cleaning grout and have the answer for you.
The easiest way to clean grout without scrubbing is to apply a mixture or chemical that will do the work for you. You can try one of the following methods:
- Baking soda and peroxide
- Bleach
- White vinegar and water
- A store-bought product
All of the above methods are relatively easy. However, you might prefer the results of one over another. It will take some experimenting with each method to find the best one for your needs.
We've given you four ways to clean grout that require no scrubbing, but keep reading as we go into detail about how to do each method and what you will need. We'll also answer some other questions you might have about cleaning your grout.
4 Easy Ways To Clean Grout Without Scrubbing
Baking Soda and Peroxide
One of the easiest ways to clean grout is by using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Most of us have baking soda in our pantry and hydrogen peroxide in our medicine cabinet, so getting a hold of these two things is not difficult. If you don't have them on hand, buying them is also very inexpensive.
Click here to see Clabber Girl baking soda on Amazon.
Click here to see hydrogen peroxide on Amazon.
Combine one cup of each in a small bowl and apply it directly to the grout. If the grout is in your kitchen or an area where grease stains are likely, you can also add some dish soap, such as Dawn, for those harder to remove stains.
Once you've applied the mixture to your grout, leave it to work for at least ten minutes. After it has had time to work, rinse off the mixture with warm water.
For extra tough stains, apply baking soda by itself to the grout and leave it overnight. In the morning, wipe it clean with warm water and a cloth.
Is It Okay To Mix Baking Soda And Hydrogen Peroxide?
So, as you can see from our method above, it is safe to mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. In fact, there are many uses for baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixtures. You can even use it to clean and whiten your teeth.
However, you should not try to store the mixture. When you combine the two, a chemical reaction occurs in which carbon dioxide is released. If you try to store it in a closed container, the build-up of carbon dioxide released can cause the container to explode. So while this might be a fun chemistry experiment, it's probably not something you want to risk happening in your home!
Bleach
Bleach is a powerful cleaner and can be quite harsh on both materials and you, so it is important to make sure you use it correctly. Make sure the area you're using it in is well ventilated either by opening a nearby window or turning on a bathroom fan. You should definitely also wear gloves when using bleach.
Click here to see Clorox bleach on Amazon.
Despite, or maybe because of, its harshness, it can work really well to help get the grout clean. It'll kill any germs and even help whiten the grout so that it looks extra clean.
First, you'll need to decide whether you want to dilute the bleach or apply it directly. You can use either chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach is less harsh, so it's best to try this bleach first. Diluting your bleach is less harsh on your floor than undiluted bleach, so if you're unsure whether it might ruin your floor, it's best to dilute it first.
Dilute your bleach by mixing one part bleach with nine parts water (1:9). Apply it to your grout and let it sit for a few minutes. Once you've let it work, remove it by wiping it with a white cotton cloth.
Click here to see 100% cotton towels on Amazon.
White Vinegar and Water
White vinegar is also great for cleaning around the house. However, with this method, you can only use it on non-porous tile or stone. Using it on porous material can cause damage to the stone or tile.
If it's safe to use on your tile and stone, you'll need to mix it with water. An easy way to do this is by combining equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Spray it onto the grout and let it work for five to ten minutes. You can rinse it with warm water after this for a scrub-free cleaning. If you don't mind a small amount of scrubbing, you can work it into the grout more by using a toothbrush.
Click here to see white vinegar on Amazon.
Store-Bought Grout Cleaner
We're not all confident in homemade cleaners and that's okay. If you'd feel better buying a cleaner that is premade, there are quite a few products available that boast about the little work required from you for them to work.
IT JUST WORKS! Grout-Eez
One of these products is IT JUST WORKS! Grout-Eez. This product should be applied to the grout lines, but it can also be used on the tile. You'll then need to let it sit for five to ten minutes.
After it has sat, the instructions do say to agitate it with a brush. It is not a completely scrub-free method but should only require minimal effort. You'll then need to use a mop to rinse it with warm water.
Click here to see IT JUST WORKS! Grout-Eez grout cleaner on Amazon.
Ultimate Grout Cleaner
Another product similar to this is Ultimate Grout Cleaner. It has similar directions to the previous product, but also boasts that it should require minimal scrubbing in order to clean. Remember to follow any manufacturer's directions if you choose to go with a store-bought method!
Click here to see Ultimate Grout Cleaner on Amazon.
Is It Safe To Use Toilet Bowl Cleaner On Grout?
You might be tempted to cut corners and use toilet bowl cleaner on your grout since you already have some handy. However, it is not safe to do so. The toilet bowl cleaner is caustic and while it's safe to use on your porcelain toilet bowl, grout is porous and can be eroded by the cleaner.
Does Magic Eraser Work On Grout?
Magic erasers are known for their versatility when it comes to cleaning, and you can add grout cleaning to the long list of things magic erasers can work on. For best results, use a magic eraser made especially for the bathroom.
The Mr. Clean magic eraser brand has a bath version that can be used on grout. If you choose another brand, make sure to read the back of any packaging to make sure it's safe to use on your grout. To be extra safe, test it on an inconspicuous area first.
Click here to see this product on Amazon.
Now you know how to clean your grout, but maybe you need some tips for cleaning your tile! Check out our other blog post for some help in that department: 7 Bathroom Tile Cleaning Hacks
Final Thoughts
We've given you four methods for grout cleaning to try out that involve zero to little scrubbing. Try one or try them all to see which one you prefer, but hopefully, we've helped answer your question! Happy scrub-free cleaning!
Sight is just one of our senses, and now you know how to make your tile look clean, but do you know how to keep your bathroom smelling fresh? If you don't, check out our other blog post: How To Keep Your Bathroom Smelling Fresh [5 Awesome Ways!]