How to Clean Grout and Tiles Safely

You can scrub a bathroom until the taps shine, and it can still look grubby if the grout lines are grey. Grout is porous, so it absorbs soap scum, body oils, cooking grease and dirt from shoes, and over time it darkens. The good news is that most grout can be brought back with the right method and a bit of patience. This guide explains how to clean grout and tiles without damaging them, and how to keep them cleaner for longer.

First, Know What You're Cleaning

The right product depends on the tile and the grout.

Tile types

• Glazed ceramic and porcelain: the most common tiles in Australian bathrooms, kitchens and floors. They're durable and tolerate most household cleaners. • Natural stone (marble, travertine, limestone, slate, granite): much more sensitive. Acidic cleaners, including vinegar and many bathroom sprays, can etch and dull the surface of marble, travertine and limestone. • Unglazed or textured tiles: hold onto dirt more and may need a stiffer brush and more rinsing.

Grout types

• Cement-based grout is the most common. It's porous and benefits from sealing. • Epoxy grout is more stain-resistant and doesn't usually need sealing, but harsh scrubbing can still dull it. If you're not sure what you have, check with your builder, the previous owner or the tile supplier. If you rent, ask your agent. When in doubt, use a pH-neutral cleaner and test it on a small, hidden area first.

What You'll Need

• A stiff grout brush, or an old toothbrush for small areas • A non-scratch scrubbing pad • A spray bottle • Microfibre cloths • A bucket of warm water • A pH-neutral tile cleaner for stone, or a general bathroom or kitchen cleaner for ceramic and porcelain • Bicarbonate of soda • Rubber gloves and eye protection Avoid wire brushes and steel wool. They scratch tiles and wear down grout.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean Grout

1. Clean the tiles first

Wipe or mop the tiles with warm water and your cleaner to remove surface dirt. This stops you pushing loose dirt into the grout as you scrub.

2. Apply a cleaner to the grout

For ceramic and porcelain tiles, use one of these: • Bicarbonate of soda paste: mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water into a thick paste. Apply it along the grout lines. • A commercial grout cleaner: follow the label and the stated dwell time. • For mould in bathroom grout: use a mould remover as directed. Our guide on removing bathroom mould explains the safe method. For natural stone, use only a pH-neutral cleaner designed for stone.

3. Let it sit

Give the cleaner time to work, usually several minutes or as directed on the label. Don't let it dry out completely.

4. Scrub along the grout lines

Scrub along each line with short, firm strokes. Work in small sections so the cleaner doesn't dry before you get to it.

5. Rinse thoroughly

Rinse with clean water and wipe away the residue. Leftover cleaner can attract dirt and leave a film.

6. Dry the surface

Dry tiles with a microfibre cloth or a squeegee, especially in bathrooms. Moisture left in the grout encourages mould.

7. Repeat on stubborn areas

Old stains may need a second or third round. If grout stays dark after several cleans, it may be permanently stained or deteriorating.

Cleaning Grout in Different Rooms

Bathroom walls and showers

Soap scum and mould are the main issues. Clean weekly, squeegee after showers, and keep the room ventilated.

Kitchen splashbacks

Grease is the main issue. Use a degreaser suitable for your tiles, let it sit, then scrub and rinse. Wipe splashbacks after cooking to stop grease building up.

Floors

Floor grout collects dirt from shoes. Vacuum or sweep before mopping, and change the mop water often so you're not spreading dirty water into the grout lines. For large floor areas, a professional clean may be quicker and more effective.

What to Avoid

• Mixing chemicals. Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners. Toxic gases can form. • Acidic cleaners on natural stone. Vinegar, lemon juice and many bathroom products can etch marble, travertine and limestone. • Abrasive tools. Wire brushes, steel wool and harsh scouring pads scratch tiles and wear down grout. • Too much water on floors. Flooding grout lines can push dirt deeper and, on older floors, let water get under tiles. • Leaving cleaner to dry on the surface. Always rinse. • High-pressure steam on old or damaged grout. It can loosen crumbling grout.

Sealing Grout

Cement-based grout is porous. Sealing it with a penetrating grout sealer helps it resist stains and makes future cleaning easier. • Seal only after the grout is completely clean and dry. • Apply the sealer carefully along the grout lines, following the product instructions, and wipe any excess off the tiles. • Allow the full curing time before the area gets wet. • Reseal periodically, as recommended by the product. A simple test: drip a little water on the grout. If it darkens quickly, it's absorbing water and may need resealing. Natural stone tiles may also need sealing. Use a sealer made for your type of stone.

When Grout Needs More Than Cleaning

Cleaning can't fix grout that is: • Cracked or crumbling. • Missing in places. • Permanently stained after repeated cleaning. • Letting water through, causing loose tiles or water damage. In these cases, the grout may need to be removed and replaced, or recoloured with a grout colourant. In wet areas, failing grout and silicone can let water behind the tiles, so get it checked. If you rent, report it to your agent in writing.

Keeping Grout Clean Between Deep Cleans

• Squeegee shower walls after every shower. • Run the exhaust fan during and after showers. • Wipe kitchen splashbacks after cooking. • Vacuum or sweep floors before mopping. • Use a doormat at entries to reduce grit. • Do a quick grout scrub as part of your weekly bathroom clean.

Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning

If your grout needs more than a home scrub, or you have large tiled areas, a professional clean can save a lot of time. Our house cleaning service includes detailed bathroom and kitchen cleaning, and grout is a standard focus in our end of lease cleaning, where agents often check it closely. For a whole-home reset, see what's included in a full house deep clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best homemade grout cleaner?

For ceramic and porcelain tiles, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, scrubbed with a stiff brush and rinsed well, works for most everyday grime. For mould, use a dedicated mould remover. For natural stone, use a pH-neutral stone cleaner instead.

Can I use vinegar on grout?

Vinegar can help with soap scum on ceramic and porcelain, but it can etch natural stone, and repeated use on cement grout can wear it down over time. Use it sparingly, rinse well, and never mix it with bleach.

How often should grout be cleaned?

A quick scrub during your weekly bathroom clean prevents build-up. A deeper clean every few months keeps it looking fresh.

How do I know if my grout needs sealing?

Drip a little water onto the grout. If it soaks in and darkens straight away, the grout is absorbing water and may benefit from sealing once it's clean and dry.

Need a Hand With Your Tiles?

Contact iCleanPro to book a detailed bathroom and kitchen clean anywhere in South West Sydney. Related guide: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products: What Works and What to Avoid Mixing

How to Clean Grout and Tiles Without Damaging Them