We’re all well aware of the fact that keeping the house clean is a huge chore that no one really likes doing. Adding to that is the fact that some surfaces are a bit harder to clean (or keep clean) than others. So now that I’ve reminded you of how much cleaning can suck (you’re welcome) and that there are two rooms in your home that undoubtedly need it more than most, I’m going to rain on your parade yet again. How, might you be asking? The answer to that is grout. That’s right, that stuff in between your tiles that is there to keep them in place. Don’t get me wrong, tiles are a wonderful addition to any home, but if you don’t make sure to clean in-between them, you can end up with a kitchen or bathroom that doesn’t look all that clean.

A Breeding Ground For Dirt

And if that wasn’t enough, grout can be a breeding ground for all kinds of nasty things, like bacteria, mold, and mildew. If you don’t subject your grout to regular cleanings, then all of those harmful substances can actually cause discoloration in both it and your tiles which damages them as well as makes them unsanitary.

If you’re thinking, “Well, it probably takes quite a bit of effort for my grout to get that bad.” you’d be wrong. Typically any area within a home that is tiled either has plenty of foot traffic or is subject to being splashed with water. This makes them much more inclined to having mold and mildew growth within the grout. Some of the places that you’ll need to double down on cleaning will be back splashes, bathrooms, entrance & exit ways, and places by windows due to dirt and debris from outside being able to make its way in between the tiles.

So How Do I Clean Grout?

As I’ve stated earlier, there are some surfaces that are harder to clean than others. Tile is or at least can be counted as one of those surfaces; unlike carpet with seems to just eat stains and dirt like a starving man though, tile can be a nuisance because it can take quite a bit of elbow grease to get back in shape. To put it simply, a mop probably isn’t going to cut it, especially if the grout is in your shower. I wouldn’t advise trying that unless you hate yourself and your back for whatever reason.

Below is the culmination of people the world over trying to find a way to easily clean their grout for a very long time. As a result, they work pretty darn well! You know the best part about it though? These methods are super cheap and most eco-friendly cleaning, as in “all this stuff in my kitchen right now” cheap. Just gather up all of these materials (and a toothbrush, trust me, you’ll be glad you did) and follow the instructions for how de-gross your grout.

Vinegar and Ammonia

For this, you’re going to need:

  • White vinegar (1/4 cup)
  • Baking soda (1/2 cup)
  • Ammonia (1/3 cup)
  • Warm water (7 cups)
  • Spray bottle

The first thing you’re going to do is mix all of the ingredients together slowly until the baking soda has dissolved. After that, you’ll then take your spray bottle and fill it with the cleaning mixture and spray the solution onto the tiles in areas about 1 to 2 square feet each. The next step would be to let it seep into the grout for about 5 minutes and when it is damp enough, scrub at it with the toothbrush. It’s going to take a bit of effort but keep at it until the dirt comes off.

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

The ingredients for this cleaning solution are as follows:

  • Baking Soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Small bowl
  • Gloves

Take your bowl and mix both of the ingredients in a 1:1 ratio so that it isn’t too watery. Once you’ve done that, put on your gloves (this method can get pretty messy as it’s a past you’re making) and spread the mixture over the area that you wish to clean until the grout is covered. Let the paste sit for 10 minutes and from there you can scrub the grout with the toothbrush.

Oxygen Bleach

All you’ll need is for this one is:

  • Oxygen Bleach
  • Warm water
  • Small bowl
  • Spray bottle

Unlike normal bleach, oxygen bleach is now toxic and is able to whiten and clean grout, grime, and bacteria. Simply pour your warm water into the bowl and add an ample amount of oxygen bleach. Mix until the powder has dissolved and transfer it into your spray bottle. Spray it onto the area that you’re going to be cleaning and let sit on the grout for 20 minutes. Your next step, of course, would be to scrub with the toothbrush.

*This is important: One last thing that I would like to clarify is that you should not let any of these solutions stay inside of your grout. After you’ve scrubbed away all of the dirt be absolutely sure to wipe the area down with a  cloth damped in vinegar.

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