Cleaning the dirty grout in your kitchen or shower might not be the most fun weekend activity, but it’s one of the most necessary. 

Moldy, mildewy grout ruins the overall appearance of your tile floors and walls and prevents your home from looking its cleanest. And that’s not ideal, especially if you’re having guests over. 

While you may want to save yourself the elbow grease and learn the easiest way to clean grout without scrubbing, we’d argue that a little physical effort goes a long way with this household task. Grab your grout cleaning brush and cleaning products, and remember this is energy well spent. Having a bathroom so clean it feels like a home spa is worth the work.

1. Hot water and brush

This method works well for basic upkeep and light surface dirt. It won’t be as effective at removing years of grime or deep stains. The good thing is that for most grout cleaning hacks, you will need a stiff-bristled brush, so even if plain water doesn’t cut it with your stains, the brush will come in handy for other cleaning methods. This process requires no special products or techniques, just a bit of willpower and dedication. Use warm or hot water for best results.

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2. Vinegar and baking soda

You probably learned about this foaming combination back in elementary school science class, and now it’s back in your adult life, ready to help you clean your bathroom. This is an excellent option for cleaning grout with natural products. First, mix up a thick paste of baking soda and water, then spread it along the lines of grout. Let this cleaning solution sit for a few minutes. While you’re waiting, fill a spray bottle half with water and half with white vinegar. Then, spray the vinegar solution on the baking soda paste. Once the foaming action stops, start scrubbing the area with your grout brush, revealing much cleaner lines below. Wash away any excess paste with water. 

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3. Peroxide and oxygenated powder

Cleaning experts sing the praises of both peroxide and oxygenated powder, so imagine what these two cleaning products can do together. You can pour peroxide or oxygenated products like OxyClean directly on grout lines. For best results, make a paste that’s equal parts hydrogen peroxide and oxygenated powder, and use a grout brush or old toothbrush to apply the paste to dirty grout. Let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse away the paste with water once you’re done. 

A similar method is cleaning grout with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Make a paste of these two ingredients and apply it directly to the grout.

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4. Grout cleaner

Grout cleaner is the obvious option but the one you’re least likely to have on hand if this is your first time cleaning grout. Grout cleaning products boast great results with minimal work and exist in different forms. You can find spray-and-wipe products that require no scrubbing or grout products intended especially for granite countertops. Some of these cleaners will even act as tile whiteners. 

Getting your bathroom in tip-top shape may be easier with the help of specialized products, but be sure to check out the ingredients before using these cleaners. They aren’t the most natural options, and you likely need to work in a well-ventilated space. 

Housekeeper’s tip: Bleach is a powerful but potentially dangerous product, not just because it can discolor clothing, towels, and other fabrics. It can cause eye and respiratory irritation, so ventilate the area and use only the bleach you need. Bleach also can’t be used in conjunction with all other cleaning products. Ammonia-based cleaners, like products made for glass, can generate a deadly gas when combined with bleach. You also should never mix bleach and vinegar, as this combination creates dangerous chlorine gas. Our advice? Look it up first. If you’re planning to clean grout with bleach and think it may come into contact with other products, do your research before getting to work.

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5. Steam cleaner

For the toughest grimy grout jobs, you’ll need some serious cleaning power. Call in the professionals, or at least get professional equipment. You can purchase a steam cleaner or rent one from certain hardware stores. With high-heat water and powerful scrubbing nozzles, steam cleaners may be the best for cleaning grout. They take the headache (and the backache) out of this chore. 

A steam cleaner works so well at pulling up dirt that you’ll end up with extracted grime all over your floor. This is normal and part of the process. Have a mop on hand so that you can quickly wipe away this excess dirt, revealing your perfectly clean grout and floors.

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Before you take on a grout cleaning project this weekend, we’ll leave you with one final recommendation: rinse. No matter how you clean bathroom tile grout or what products you use, you should carefully rinse away any excess material and dirt, especially if using items that can generate a dangerous chemical reaction. 

In the shower, rinsing is an easy task, but if you plan on cleaning the grout of your kitchen backsplash or floor, you’ll want to have a bucket of water and a sponge handy to wipe surfaces clean after you finish scrubbing.

If you need to stock up on cleaning products, ask Gopuff for a hand. They can run to the store for you while you put on your rubber gloves and favorite playlist for housework. By the time GoPuff gets to your door with your products, you’ll be ready to scrub the afternoon away.