First we will discuss mild grout cleaners. Mild grout cleaners are for a more regular use. If the grout is not very dirty, and you are able to get it cleaned on a regular basis, or it is not in a high soil area (like on a kitchen wall) you can use a mild grout cleaner quite effectively. For mild grout cleaners, you can use almost any general household cleaner. However, there are a few notes of caution. First, be sure that if you have colored grout, that the cleaner you are using doesn’t have any bleach in it, or it will discolor your grout. Second, if you are using a powder product be sure it is non-abrasive so it doesn’t destroy the grout. To make these cleaners more effective, it will be beneficial to let water or the cleaner sit on the area you wish to clean for 10 to 15 minutes before washing. This will help loosen any grime and make the scrubbing job much easier.

Bleaching cleaners are what their name implies. As I mentioned earlier, don’t use any sort of bleach cleaner on colored grout. However, if you have white grout, you may be able to get away with using a simple bleach solution to clean your grout. This cleaner falls under the mild cleaner category. You want to make about a three-to-one solution water to bleach, anything stronger than that can damage the grout.

Pastes are very effective grout cleaners. There are several commercial pastes you can buy that really do a great job. Pastes have the approximate consistency of toothpaste. To use them, you first rinse the area to be cleaned, then spread the paste on the grout only. Let sit for a few minutes, and then go to town scrubbing with a soft bristle brush. Pastes are great agents for very dirty grout or high traffic areas, though you will find yourself on your hands and knees scrubbing the floor, it will not take too long and be very effective. Because grout is porous, it is difficult to get dirt out of the several pores, however, grout paste cleaners are made with small grains that get into the pores and clean them out.

Next are very tough acting grout cleaners. You will have to go to a commercial product line to find these. These need to be used with caution and only if none of the other methods worked. Be sure to use the proper safety equipment like goggles and gloves while using these cleaners, and be in a well ventilated area. Look for the most mild type of cleaner possible and be sure it is made specifically for grout and tile. Use of too harsh chemicals too often will erode the grout itself and the glue holding the tile in place causing a bigger problem than dirty grout. So be sparing with the tough chemicals.

Last are some organic grout cleaners you can make at home. They are all quite mild, but can be effective as well. First, you can use vinegar diluted one-to-one or full strength. However, be careful not to use it full strength too often or it will eventually erode the grout. Second, you can use lemon juice. It is quite effective and a natural disinfectant. However, beware that lemons will bleach colored grout. And another cleaner you can make at home is a nice paste. Take one third each baking soda, salt, and vinegar.

Hopefully, these guidelines will help you in choosing what to use to clean grout.

It is best that we take knowledge and the right tools to proactively care for our bathrooms and kitchens. The right tools and right grout cleaners suited to the requirements of the job at hand, choose wisely, since many are easily available on-line. We should also look into industrial-strength cleaners for those long neglected tiled floors and walls.
Tile cleaning can help get rid of mildew and prevent it from coming back.  Many asked this question: What exactly is tile grout mildew? This mildew is a living organism that lives and thrives on moisture and the oils left by our bodies. It is not only unsightly but destructive. We need to do cleaning on a regular basis, say for every two weeks so that our mildew problems do not go out of hand and this also makes our tiles last longer and maintain their beauty.

When we use tile cleaners, it is always best to use the milder products first. We can opt for the tougher products if we cannot get the stubborn stain off. Bear in mind that these string chemicals and reagents can actually damage our tiles and leave us with a bigger problem than when we started. Try application on a smaller area and check to see if the cleaner that you chose can remove the discoloration.

There are a lot of mild grout cleaners out there. Vinegar placed in a spray bottle can be directly used on the tiles. We let this stay for a few minutes and then we scrub off the tile or grout area. Lemon juice can also do a decent job; it is especially good on those tough stains.

Mild grout cleaner:

These are all gentle cleaners that are okay to use even on unsealed grout.

Vinegar: Used for daily cleaning and as a disinfectant, vinegar can be diluted with equal parts water or applied full-strength. Put vinegar or vinegar/water solution into a spray bottle and spray the grout. For disinfecting, let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with a medium-weight, non-metal brush. The bristles should be stiff, but not too hard – you don’t want to damage the grout or tiles. Scrub in circles rather than straight-lines for a more thorough cleaning. Rinse with a mop or wet sponge, then dry with a towel.

Baking soda: When made into a paste with a little water or vinegar, baking soda is a terrific grout cleaner. Just dab it on, scrub in circles, rinse and dry. For a better cleaning, try leaving the paste on for a few minutes before scrubbing. You can also make a paste with 1/3 each of baking soda, salt and vinegar. The addition of salt helps the cleaner get into all the little crevices and spots that may be in the grout. Be sure to rinse and dry when you are done.

Lemon juice: Grout can discolor and stain with time, and those areas often need extra attention. Lemon juice does a great job removing many grout stains and discolorations. Apply the lemon juice to the affected area, let it sit for 10-15 minutes and then wipe it off with a damp sponge. If staining remains, try cleaning it or try the lemon juice again before using a harsher product.

Milder Chemical Cleaners:

All of these contain some chemicals but are not as harsh as the next group. When working with any of these products, be sure to keep the area well-ventilated, wear gloves and follow the directions on the bottle.
Bleach: Dilute the bleach with water – 1 part bleach to 3 parts water – before cleaning with it. Bleach is especially good for removing mold and mildew. It kills the mold and disinfectants too. It also removes stains and discolorations from white grout. Do not use beach on colored grout – it will discolor the grout. Be careful when using bleach and any other cleaners, especially those containing ammonia.

General Household Cleaners: Basic household cleaners that you typically use can be effective grout cleaners. Many contain bleach, providing the benefits of bleach with another cleaner without mixing them. When using a powder-based product, make sure it is non-abrasive and will not damage the grout or scratch the tile. Use as with other products, being sure to rinse extra well.

Harsher Chemical Cleaners:

These are best to use when other products have not worked. They are good for infrequent, heavy-duty cleaning when it is needed. Always read all directions carefully before you start, keep the room well-ventilated and use gloves and protective eyewear when cleaning with any of these products.

Commercial Grout Cleaners: These are designed specifically for cleaning grout and can be purchased at stores that sell household cleaners. Pick products that are designed for what you need – general cleaning, disinfecting, removing stains and discolorations, getting rid of mold and mildew, etc. Products that are pH-balanced will be the gentlest and best for tile and grout cleaning. Others can erode the grout with frequent use. Avoid colored cleaners on white grout as they can discolor the grout. Carefully follow all the directions on the container. Generally, they are applied and allowed to remain on the grout for a few minutes before cleaning and then rinsing.

Professional Grout Cleaners: Designed to provide the most heavy-duty cleaning available, these products contain the harshest chemicals. You can find them at hardware or janitor supply stores. Be careful using and storing these cleaners. Before using these strong chemicals, you may want to consider renting a steam cleaner like the professionals use to see if it can get the grout cleaning done without the use of strong chemicals.