6 Ways to Clean Bathroom Grout

Written By Adam Paul - Waterproofing Expert

Bathroom grout cleaning is a process of removing non-dissolved dirt on the grout lines. Non-dissolved solids such as soap scum, hard water deposits, mold and mildew, dust particles, grease, skin oil, cleaning residues, detergent buildups, and mineral stains can remain on the grout lines. In order to remove these things you should follow below 6 ways.

6 Ways to clean bathroom grout lines.

1. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and vinegar
2. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
3. Clean bathroom grout using commercial grout cleaner
4. Clean bathroom grout using lemon juice and baking soda
5. Clean bathroom grout using steam cleaner
6. Clean bathroom grout using bleach and water

To prevent dirt on the grout lines, those should seal properly, clean regularly, maintain regularly, maintain proper ventilation, use a squeegee, avoid hash cleaners, and do regular inspections. Bathroom waterproofing helps to protect bathroom grout lines against water damage and sedimenting other residues.

What are the 6 Ways to Clean Bathroom Grout

These are the 6 ways to clean bathroom grout

1. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and vinegar
2. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide
3. Clean bathroom grout using commercial grout cleaner
4. Clean bathroom grout using lemon juice and baking soda
5. Clean bathroom grout using steam cleaner
6. Clean bathroom grout using bleach and water

1. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and vinegar

You will need baking soda and white vinegar and water as the main material to clean grout lines in the bathroom. You should have a small scrub brush or an old toothbrush for deeper cleaning the grout lines. This process will cost about $20 and it will take 20-30 minutes to clean the grout lines in the bathroom. This process is effective for removing dirt, soap scum, skin oils, and even mildew growth between the tile spaces. You should follow the below steps to clean grout using baking soda and vinegar.

Steps to clean bathroom grout using baking soda and vinegar

1. Mix baking soda with water to create a thick paste that will act as a natural grout cleaner. It effectively removes soap scum, dirt, mold, and stain marks in the grout lines.
2. Spread the baking soda paste over the bathroom, especially grout lines. When you apply focus on areas such as shower areas, and toilet areas where more dirt, detergent buildup, and mildew growth have accumulated in the gaps between tiles.
3. Spray vinegar over the baking soda paste on the grout lines. The mixture will start to break down residues embedded in the mortar.
4. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture sit for about 5 minutes to allow the fizzing action to loosen the embedded dirt on the grout lines.
5. Use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly. It helps to penetrate and deep clean the gaps between the tiles. 
6. Wipe away the paste and loosen dirt from the grout lines with a damp cloth or sponge, then rinse the bathroom area properly to remove all traces of the grout cleaner.
7. Use a clean towel to dry the grout lines in the bathroom. It prevents any moisture from settling back into the mortar or plaster, which could lead to future mildew growth.

2. Clean bathroom grout using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

Cleaning bathroom grout with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda is an effective and affordable method. Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, water, can be used to clean the bathroom grout and a small scrub brush or an old toothbrush is needed for deep clean tile grouts. All of these supplies will cost $10 and it will take 20 to 30 minutes to clean the groutline. The cleaning time depends on the size of the shower area and the extent of grime buildup in the shower grout.

Steps to clean bathroom grout using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide

1. Mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to create a thick paste. Hydrogen peroxide - baking soda paste will act as a powerful grout cleaner on dirt, stains, and mold in the grout lines.
2. Spread the baking soda paste over the grout lines in the bath room area such as shower area, toilet area, bathtub area and bathroom walls.
3. Allow the paste to sit on the grout lines for about 5 minutes. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste will break down sediment, cleaning residue, and skin oils embedded in the tile filling.
4. Use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly.
5. Rinse the area with water to remove the loosened dirt, paste, and cleaning residue from the grout lines and tiles.
6. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth or sponge to ensure all traces of the grout cleaner are removed.

3. Clean bathroom grout using commercial grout cleaner

Using a commercial grout cleaner is a highly effective method for removing tough dirt, mold, and mildew growth on the bathroom grout. A commercial grout cleaner will cost about $15. It can use several times for bathroom grout cleaning. You should use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to apply the cleaner effectively. This process will take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Steps to clean bathroom grout using commercial grout cleaner

1. Apply the commercial grout cleaner directly onto the grout lines. You should apply more on areas where dirt, soap scum, and mildew growth have accumulated in the gaps and mortar.
2. Allow the cleaner to sit on the grout lines for the recommended time as indicated on the product label, usually 5 to 10 minutes, to break down sediment, stains, and cleaning residue.
3. Use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly to deep clean the bathroom grout lines.
4. Rinse the area with water to remove the loosened dirt, sediment, and grout cleaner from the tiles and grout lines.
5. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth or sponge to ensure all traces of the commercial cleaner are removed.
6. Inspect the grout lines for any remaining stains or dirt, and reapply the cleaner if necessary for stubborn spots.

4. Clean bathroom grout using lemon juice and baking soda

Using lemon juice and baking soda is an effective and natural method to clean bathroom grout lines. Fresh lemon juice, baking soda, and water, are the basic supplies and a small scrub brush or toothbrush are the tools for the grout cleaning process with using lemon juice and baking soda. This method is inexpensive and it will cost $10. It will take 20-30 minutes. These natural cleaners are effective on dirt, mold, soap scum, skin oils, and other residues in the bathroom grout lines.

Steps to clean bathroom grout using commercial grout cleaner

1. Mix baking soda with fresh lemon juice to create a thick paste.
2. Apply the baking soda and lemon juice paste generously over the grout lines.
3. Allow the paste to sit on the grout lines for about 5 minutes until residues is breaking down
4. Use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines thoroughly.
5. Rinse the area with water to remove the loosened dirt, paste, and cleaning residue from the grout lines and tiles.
6. Wipe down the area with a damp cloth or sponge to ensure all traces of the grout cleaner are removed.

5. Clean bathroom grout using steam cleaner

Steam cleaning on the grout line is an effective and chemical-free method. The high-temperature steam penetrates deep into the gaps and fillings, breaking down stubborn stains and sediment without the need for additional grout cleaners. In this process, you will need a steam cleaner and it will cost around $50 to $200. 

Steps to clean bathroom grout using steam cleaner

1. Fill the steam cleaner with water according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Turn on the steam cleaner and allow it to heat up until it's ready to produce steam.
3. Hold the steam cleaner nozzle directly over the grout lines, focusing on areas with heavy dirt, mold, and soap scum buildup in the gaps and mortar.
4. Slowly move the steam cleaner along the grout lines in the bathroom. It allows high-temperature steam to break down sediment, cleaning residue, and detergent buildup in the shower grout.
5. Use a small scrub brush or toothbrush to scrub the grout lines if necessary, helping to remove any remaining dirt and stains between tile spaces.
6. Wipe away the loosened dirt and residue with a damp cloth or sponge, ensuring the grout lines and tiles are thoroughly cleaned.

6. Clean bathroom grout using bleach and water

Cleaning bathroom grout with a bleach and water solution is a powerful method for removing stubborn mold, mildew growth, and deep-set stains. You will need a household bleach, water, a bucket, rubber gloves, a small scrub brush or toothbrush, and a well-ventilated area. This process will cost $5-$10 and it will take 30 minutes. 

Steps to clean bathroom grout using bleach and water

1. Mix one part bleach with four parts water in a bucket to create the cleaning solution.
2. Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin from the bleach and dip the scrub brush or toothbrush into the solution.
3. Apply the bleach solution generously over the grout lines, focusing on areas with heavy mold, mildew, and dirt accumulation in the gaps and filling.
4. Let the solution sit on the grout lines for about 10 minutes to allow the breakdown of stains, soap scum, and sediment in the mortar and plaster.
5. Use the scrub brush or toothbrush to thoroughly scrub the grout lines, ensuring the bleach solution penetrates deep into the shower grout and cement slurry.
6. Rinse the area with water to remove any remaining bleach solution and loosened dirt from the grout lines and tiles.

What is the Dirt on Grout?

Dirt on grout lines are non-dissolved residues which are accumulated in the grout lines between tiles. Bathroom grout dirt is soap scum, hard water deposits, mold and mildew, dust particles, grease, skin oil, cleaning residues, detergent buildups, bacteria and mineral stains. 

These dirty residues in the tile grout decrease the aesthetic appeal of the bathroom, decrease hygiene, reduce durability, increase the musty smell, improve algae reactions, make slippery surfaces and increase mold and mildew growth in the bathroom.

How to Prevent Grout from Dirt?

Grout can prevent dirt by accumulating residues on the grout lines. In order to prevent grout from dirt grout should be sealed, regularly cleaned, use doormats, maintain proper ventilation, use a squeegee, avoid hash cleaners, and do regular inspections. 

These preventive methods help to keep grout lines clean in the bathroom extend their lifespan and maintain a fresh appearance in the bathroom floor and walls.

Does Bathroom Waterproofing help in maintaining clean grout?

Yes, bathroom waterproofing helps to protect bathroom floor and wall tile grouts against water damage and mold growth but it does not prevent dirt or stains from accumulating on grout. Hence bathroom grout lines should properly sealed and regularly cleaned to keep them clean and free from grime.