CLEANING GROUT ON FLOORS AND COUNTERS

When using bleach or other harsh chemicals, you may want to consider wearing protective gloves. Also, never mix cleaning chemicals. If you clean with bleach or other harsh chemicals, be sure the area is well-rinsed and has air dryed before cleaning that area with another cleaner.

Cleaning the grout on floors may require the use of elbow grease and a toothbrush or heavy wire brush instead of a sponge or cloth. Many of the same products can be used to clean grout no matter where it's located. No matter where you're cleaning, be sure to wear eye protection to protect against splashing and rubber gloves to protect your skin.

If the area to be cleaned isn't too dirty, you may be able to remove the dirt using just a sponge. Dampen walls or floors with a sponge or mop and sprinkle some baking soda onto the grout. Let this sit for about an hour and scrub with a toothbrush or other scrubbing tool such as a scouring pad (don't use a cheap pad or grout will take on the color of pad) or wire bristle brush. Rinse with water.
If your grout is in good condition but just needs a little freshening in certain areas, rub a freshly cut lemon half over the area. Squeezing some fresh cut lemon juice into a cup of water and scrubbing with a toothbrush will also whiten the grout. Rinse with water.

Moderately Dirty Grout
Make a paste with 3 cups of baking soda and one cup of water. Apply to the grout and let sit. Sponge away and rinse clean with water.

Sprinkle some baking soda onto the grout and spritz a little undiluted vinegar on top of that. Let this solution fizz for a while. After about 30 minutes, wipe clean, or scrub with a toothbrush if necessary. Your grout should look much cleaner and brighter. Rinse with water.

Dirty Grout
Make a paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Apply paste to grout, let sit for at least 30 minutes and scrub with a toothbrush if necessary. Rinse with water.

 Mix 1 gallon of water with ¾ cup of bleach. Dip a toothbrush or scrub brush into the bleach solution and scrub. Let sit for a few minutes and rinse with water.

Pour hydrogen peroxide straight from the bottle onto the grout. Let sit for ten minutes and scrub. Rinse with water.

If your bathroom is well ventilated, try this solution: Mix one cup of bleach to one cup of baking soda, this should make a paste. Apply the paste to the offending grout and scrub with a toothbrush or other scrubbing tool. Wearing rubber gloves is a good idea for this project. Once the grout is cleaned, rinse with water.

For Colored Grout
Pour vinegar over dirty grout and let sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. This works best for colored grout. Rinse with water. To protect your colored grout, do not use ammonia-based cleaners as these can discolor the pigments in colored grout. You can also protect your floor with a silicone grout sealer.

Sealing Grout
Grout should be sealed every 2-3 years after a thorough cleaning since it is a porous material that will absorb moisture and dirt, which will increase mold and mildew growth. Sealers can be professional applied or you can do it yourself with product from a local home or hardware store.

Chaulking
Bleach and rubbing alcohol seem to work well on removing stains from caulk that is around the seams of showers and tubs. Hardware and Home stores carry a wide array of tools and accessories that may make the clean-up of your bathroom and grout more easily. Many of these items are shaped and designed for a specific cleaning purpose.