How to Use a Grout Cleaner For a Spectacularly Clean Bathroom

Dirty grout can quickly disfigure the look of any bathroom. From discolored to mouldy grout, there are numerous effective strategies available for you to cleanse away the dirt and restore it back to pristine condition.

A key to maintaining beautiful grout lines lies in using cleaning solutions with low pH levels that won’t dissolve or weaken it, so we consulted professional cleaners on their best advice on using grout cleaner to maintain sparkling clean shower, tile, and other areas.

1. Baking soda and vinegar

Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most popular non-toxic cleaners on the market. Not only do they effectively remove soap scum and mildew from bathroom surfaces, but they also have powerful antibacterial and rust fighting properties – making them great all around your home!

Vinegar and baking soda make an effective grout cleaner. The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda dissolves stains and loosens up tough messes, making it easier to wipe away with ease.

Mixing vinegar and baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas and acetate ions, loosening dirt, grit and stuck-on grout lines.

Once the cleaning solution has done its job, rinse it away with water to achieve a sparkling bathroom. Be sure not to use this combination on unsealed grout as you could damage it!

You can try to scrub the mixture into the pores of grout lines with a toothbrush or nylon-backed sponge, but wait at least five minutes after spraying to allow it to soak in. You may need to scrub several times before all traces of staining have been eliminated; however, results should still be satisfactory!

A 50/50 vinegar and baking soda mix is an effective solution for eliminating stubborn stains. Plus, it’s a natural whitener which helps brighten the grout as well.

Applying this solution to a sponge and wiping down mirrors or other surfaces is also possible. Though not as powerful as bleach, it can effectively erase greasy stains and brighten bathroom grout.

If your water supply is hard, this method can help remove limescale stains from stainless steel hardware like faucets and showerheads. Simply wrap the affected area in cloth soaked in vinegar, let sit for two hours, and then scrub away with baking soda paste.

Baking soda and vinegar make an effective glass cleaner, especially for scuffed or streaky glasses. The acetate ions in vinegar dissolve any film that forms, leaving your glasses shiny and free from streaks.

2. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Magic Eraser is a cleaning sponge made of melamine foam that works by creating an abrasive surface that can remove dirt, grime, and other stains. Plus, its flexibility makes it perfect for use on curved surfaces like glass.

Magic Erasers have abrasive strands that can penetrate tile grooves and crevices, lifting dirt and stains from the grout. However, not all tiles respond well to this type of cleaning solution; thus, you may need to try another approach in order to guarantee complete removal of dirt and stains from your grout.

When cleaning bathroom tiles, it is best to avoid products that contain bleach or ammonia. These harsh chemicals can damage the finish and make tiles brittle; instead, opt for a natural tile cleaner that does not contain these harsh chemicals.

If you opt for a chemical-based cleaner, apply it only to small sections of the tile and wait for it to dry before moving on to another. Doing this saves time and money as you won’t have to do a comprehensive clean of all tiles every time you need to remove spots or stains.

For stubborn spots or stains, using a cleaning product designed specifically for this purpose is recommended. Also, be sure to rinse your surface with water so that any residue from the cleaner does not remain on your tiles.

Can this lead to permanent damage and require more extensive repairs? Additionally, it’s best to avoid using cleaning products on items with sentimental value as they could cause harm or abrasions to those items.

Magic Eraser should not be used on softer or polished surfaces such as glass or delicate materials due to its abrasive material which could damage these items. Furthermore, it should not be used on stainless steel due to potential scratches and potential damage of its protective coating that shields it from scratches.

3. Steam cleaner

If you want to give your bathroom a bright and airy appearance, using a steam cleaner to clean the grout in tiles is an effective way to do so without needing harsh chemical cleaners.

The steam cleaner works by using hot water to generate high-pressure steam that will break up dirt in your tile and grout. This method is much more effective than simply scrubbing them with a toothbrush or other scrubbing brush.

In addition to being effective, this cleaning method uses much less water than mopping does. In fact, the Ladybug system only needs approximately a quart of water for 30-40 minutes of work in order to be completely dry.

Additionally, since this cleaning method does not utilize chemicals, there’s no risk of residue building up in your grout and causing discoloration or other issues down the line. Furthermore, lacking residue allows the scrubbing action of a steam cleaner to work more thoroughly, giving you better results in less time.

One of the most essential tips when using a steam cleaner is not to scrub too hard; otherwise, you will wear out both its brushes and motor. So only work on small areas at once and give each spot enough time to do its job before moving onto another spot.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the brush heads included with your steam cleaner are designed for gentle removal of dirt from grout. You can select between soft or stiff bristles depending on what type of tile you have and what needs you have.

Begin with softer brushes to get the job done and then upgrade when necessary. Brass brushes may be suitable for tougher spots that need extra attention, but be mindful that some types of tile may be damaged if not used according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Once the gunk is gone, you can rinse your grout with water and wipe it down with a damp towel or mop it up. This will help get rid of any remaining soil and prevent mold or mildew from growing.

4. Bleach

Bleach is an effective cleaning agent that can be used to eliminate stains and dirt from bathroom grout, but can also damage nearby fabrics and rugs as well as produce toxic fumes that can be irritating to both people and animals.

The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) recommends diluting 3/4 cup of bleach with one gallon of water before using it on tiled surfaces, always wearing protective clothing and a mask when working with bleach.

Spray bleach on your grout to eliminate stains or let it sit for 15 minutes and scrub, making sure to thoroughly rinse the area afterwards with clean water.

Create an effective grout cleaner using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide as an easy DIY paste to apply directly onto both sealed and unsealed grout surfaces. This mixture works great.

Oxygen bleach is an inexpensive cleaner available at stores that is effective in lightening grimy grout and eliminating mildew growth. Most commonly sold as powder, but also available as liquid and diluted solutions.

Some may overlook bleach as an option for bathroom grout cleaning, but as long as you use the right type and adhere to all safety protocols, it should work fine.

If the health and welfare of your family and pets are top of mind, natural alternatives to bleach may provide more secure options in your home. Try mixing baking soda and vinegar, bicarbonate of soda mixed with soap, or tea tree oil as alternatives to traditional bleach.

Natural cleaners may not offer as good of a clean as commercial products do, but they’re still an eco-friendly and cost-cutting way to refresh tiled areas.

A woman from Melbourne recently discovered that combining bicarbonate of soda and Domestos disinfectant bleach could be used to quickly and efficiently clean off bathroom shower walls of heavy stains. After months of trying various solutions to get rid of grubby residue on them, she finally found one effective method – and discovered this combination.