A Simple Recipe For a Homemade Grout Cleaner
I hate to see a buildup of mildew on my bathroom tile grout lines—it quickly turns the space from looking spa-like to unsanitary. However, I’m not a fan of using harsh chemical cleaners unless I have to. That’s why I was excited to see a gentle DIY grout cleaner hack on Instagram.
But are these homemade grout cleaning hacks worth the hype? I spoke to two experts to find out whether DIY cleaning product recipes for grout are a safe and effective alternative to commercial concoctions.
Can You Make Your Own Grout Cleaner?
The good news is that it’s possible to make a DIY grout cleaner that works—providing you pick suitable, safe ingredients and don’t expect miracles. While the right mixture can keep grime at bay, it won’t have the deep cleaning power of products specifically designed for the job.
Pros and cons of DIY grout cleaners
“DIY grout cleaners can be helpful if you need to quickly clean your tiles on a budget, and also if you want to know exactly what is going into your cleaner,” Courtney Cole, Interior Designer and tile specialist, says. “If your grout lines aren’t that dirty, they will also do a great job of giving them the freshen-up they need.”
While the right DIY grout cleaners can be economical, environmentally friendly, and less harsh chemically, Cole explains that they aren’t likely to be as effective for more serious buildups of mold, mildew and staining. In these instances, she recommends using a commercial cleaner.
James Upton, tile installation specialist, inspector and consultant, agrees. He explains that grout manufacturers often have recommended products designed for heavy cleaning. “The advantage is that they have undergone rigorous testing and are unlikely to harm your grout,” he says.
“I’m not a chemist, but what I know is that grout manufacturers want people to use pH-neutral cleaners on their grout,” Upton explains. Although baking soda is often regarded as a safe and effective DIY grout cleaner ingredient, Upton points out that it doesn’t qualify in this regard. So, there’s a chance that using too much of this alkaline product too often could compromise the integrity of the grout.
How to Make a DIY Grout Cleaner
A common DIY grout cleaner combines baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Cole thinks this is a low-risk option for cleaning grout lines at the surface.
“Baking soda is a mild abrasive, which means it can scrub away grime without scratching the grout, while hydrogen peroxide helps to lift stains and kill bacteria,” she says. “The dish soap then comes in to cut through the grease, which is great if you’re working in the kitchen.”
How to apply a DIY grout cleaner
- Combine 3/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup peroxide and 1 tbsp. of Dawn Dish Soap. Listen for the satisfying sizzle of the chemical reaction.
- Scrub the foamy mixture into the grout lines using a grout brush or firm-bristled toothbrush.
- Allow the mixture to sit on the grout lines for a few minutes to maximize the grout whitening effect.
- Rinse thoroughly, using a microfiber cloth to lift any residue away.
- Repeat steps 1 to 4 if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is grout so hard to clean?
“With grout being porous, it will build up icky materials like a sponge—making it the perfect breeding ground for things like mold and mildew,” says Cole. “The texture of it also makes it hard to clean, and let’s be honest—no one likes cleaning grout lines.” This means people often leave cleaning until it looks so bad you can’t ignore it, and by that time, you might need to use a stronger commercial solution rather than a DIY grout cleaner.
However, Upton points out that, handily, new grouts contain better stain-resistant technology, especially epoxy grout. So, your newly remodeled bathroom grout should, hopefully, be easier to keep clean.
What not to use to clean grout?
Avoid acid-based cleaners, as these can cause porous grout to crumble. Steer clear of waxy or oily cleaners, too, as these attract dirt rather than repelling it.
Upton cautions that bleach, another favorite ingredient in DIY grout cleaners, also doesn’t qualify as a pH-neutral option. It’s actually much more alkaline and harsh than baking soda as a cleaner. Plus, a common bleach cleaning mistake is mixing it with chemicals that can become a toxic concoction (such as ammonia, vinegar and other acid-based products, and rubbing alcohol). Then there’s the fact that chlorine bleach can discolor tinted grouts.
How to prevent dirt from building up on grout?
Upton explains that some simple preventative maintenance and moisture-minimizing steps help prevent dirt and mildew from taking hold. “Squeegee your shower walls, run the exhaust fan during and after a shower, and clean your shower walls frequently with mild cleaners,” he says.
About the Experts
- James Upton is a Seattle-based bathroom tile installation specialist, inspector and consultant who owns Tiger Mountain Tile Inc; email interview, 13. Feb, 2025.
- Courtney Cole is an interior designer at online tile specialist, TileCloud; email interview, 13. Feb, 2025.
The post A Simple Recipe For a Homemade Grout Cleaner appeared first on Family Handyman.
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