How to Clean Grout in Tiles

Why does grime build up between tiles?

You’ve cleaned and mopped your tiled floors until they shine, but the grout still looks dingy – why is that? Grout is the stuff that is used to fill the gaps between and underneath tiles, helping to keep them securely in place. But because grout sits lower than the surface of the tiles, dirt and other debris that is removed from the tiles with regular sweeping or cleaning can collect in the grout lines. And because grout is also porous – meaning it contains pores or tiny holes – this grime can work itself deep into the grout and become tough to get rid of.Here, we go through how to clean bathroom grout as well as grout in other tiled areas of your home.

What you’ll need

The good news is that with regular cleaning and a bit of prevention, you can help keep your grout looking great. The most important items you’ll need are a good grout brush, an appropriate grout cleaner, and a grout sealer.

Grout brush – you could also use a toothbrush or other small scrubbing brush, but stiffer bristles will work better than soft bristles
Grout cleaner – start with a less harsh alkaline cleaner and step up to more powerful oxygen bleach and then chlorine bleach as needed for those tougher grout stains
Grout sealer – adding a protective seal to your cleaned and stain-free grout surface can help to prevent new grime and stains from accumulating, making it easier to keep your tile grout cleaner

Other items to have on hand before you start include:

Sponge or cleaning cloth
Towel
Bucket or other large sturdy container
Rubber gloves
Safety glasses

How to clean tile grout

Clean the tiles to remove any visible debris, grime build-up, and stains. For bathroom tiles, try Dettol Healthy Clean Bathroom Spray to dissolve tough soap scum and bathroom dirt while killing 99.9% of germs on your tile surfaces. For tough cleaning action on your floor tiles, reach for Dettol Healthy Clean Anti-Bacterial Floor Cleaning Wipes to conveniently and effectively remove grease and dirt plus kill 99.9% of germs.

Note that these products are not suitable for marble, brass, copper, unfinished wood, carpet, fabrics and unwaxed vinyl.

Light grout stains

For light grout stains, follow these steps using an alkaline (non-acidic) cleaner such as baking soda or washing soda:

Wearing gloves to protect your hands, mix the cleaning agent with water to form a paste or solution, following directions on the product label
Apply the paste or solution to the grout lines and let sit for a few minutes
Using the grout brush, scrub thoroughly along the grout lines until you see the stains disappear and the original grout colour return
Use a sponge or cloth to remove excess product and rinse the tiles with clean water before towel drying completely

Deep grout stains

For those heavier grout stains, follow these steps using an oxygen bleach such as hydrogen peroxide or an oxygen bleach powder:

Wearing gloves to protect your hands, mix the oxygen bleach powder with water to form a paste or solution, following directions on the product label
Apply the paste or a hydrogen peroxide solution to the grout lines and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes
Using the grout brush, scrub thoroughly along the grout lines until you see the stains disappear and the original grout colour return
Rinse the tiles with clean water and wipe down with a clean cloth

When you encounter very stubborn grout stains, you can consider using household chlorine bleach. However, using bleach requires a few extra safety steps: wear safety glasses to protect your eyes, and gloves and adequate clothing to protect your hands and skin. Ensure you have good ventilation in the room by opening windows or turning on bathroom fans. Apply bleach directly to the grout brush, scrub along the grout lines, and then rinse the tiles thoroughly to ensure all bleach is removed.

Despite your best efforts, some deeply stained and discoloured grout may just need to be replaced. Using special tools, you can carefully remove the existing grout and then add new grout after cleaning the space between tiles with bleach.

For new tiles and grout

When your floor or bathroom is newly tiled or you have just replaced or deep-cleaned your old grout, you can help protect the grout from grime and stains by applying a grout sealer after the grout is set and cured. Ensure the tiles are clean and completely dry for at least 24 hours before applying a grout sealer and allow the sealer to fully cure before using the tiled area again.

What is the easiest way to clean floor tile grout?

Wondering how to clean floor tile grout without having to mix your own grout cleaners or resorting to harsh chlorine bleach? Try Dettol Healthy Clean Bathroom Spray – it contains hydrogen peroxide to help penetrate and dissolve tough dirt, with the convenience of a ready-to-use spray bottle.

Note that this product is not suitable for use on marble, brass, copper, unfinished wood, carpet, fabrics and unwaxed vinyl.

How not to clean grout

So now you’ve got some solutions for cleaning your grout stains but what about things to avoid when it comes to tile grout?

Avoid using acidic cleaners such as vinegar on grout, because acids can both dissolve the grout itself and damage or discolour the surface of the tiles
Ensure the bristles on your grout brush are not going to damage your tiles – your best bet are nylon bristles that are stiff enough to scrub the grout well but will not scratch your tiles

How to clean grout off tile

Ever noticed a thin, whitish film across the surface of your newly laid tiles? This is called grout haze and is a normal part of the tiling process. This grout haze does not come off with water or other regular tile cleaners but can be effectively removed with special grout haze removing agents. It’s best to tackle grout haze as soon as you can after the tiling is finished when the grout between the tiles has fully set.

Quick tips for keeping your tile grout grime-free

To keep your grout grime-free for longer, the key is prevention! Try these simple tricks to help your tiles look their best:

Clean your grout lines at the first signs of dirt or discolouration
Apply a protective layer of grout sealer to new or freshly cleaned grout lines
Place floor mats on busy tiled areas to collect dirt and debris
Dry tiles after cleaning to ensure water doesn’t pool in the grout lines

Always read the label. Follow the directions for use.

RB-M-43506

First published:

15th November 2021

Last updated:

31st August 2023