How to Clean Floor Tile Grout Like a Pro: 5 Expert Tips

It can be annoying: The grout between tiles on your floor remains dingy no matter how hard and often you scrub. In fact, the more you polish, the more the shiny tiles seem to highlight the grimy grout.

It’s not a sign of poor cleaning. Learning how to clean floor tile grout really boils down to a little bit of chemistry, often using nothing but safe household items.

But before you get down to more scrubbing you should understand the type of grout you’re dealing with:

1. Types of Grout: Know What You're Cleaning

• Sanded grout is often used for wide grout lines. The sand provides bulk, making it ideal for ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles where a rustic look or larger joint is desired.
• Unsanded grout is used for thinner joints or highly polished tiles.
• Epoxy grout fights stains, chemicals and moisture, making it an excellent choice for busy areas, bathrooms and shower floors.

For sanded grout, a paste made of baking soda and water helps deep clean. For tougher stains, consider a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste.

For unsanded grout, diluted white vinegar can clean and sanitize. Steam cleaning is also a great chemical-free option.

For epoxy grout, simple warm water with a few drops of dish soap is usually enough for routine cleaning. For any remaining haze or stubborn post-installation residue, a specialized epoxy grout cleaner might be the answer.

 Most of these are already in your home. Our cleaning supplies checklist covers the rest.

2. Must-Have Grout Cleaning Supplies and Tools

Homemade grout cleaner can include vinegar, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide to provide safe, chemical-free cleaning.

[product handle="h15-pro-heat-wet-dry-vacuum" slogan="Editor’s Pick"]

3. How to Clean Grout Between Floor Tiles, Step by Step

Baking soda paste, a vinegar spray, twenty minutes and a stiff brush will lift most of what is in a floor grout line. Bathroom and kitchen grout differ, though: epoxy in the bathroom for water resistance, sanded in the kitchen for the wider joints. For the machine side of it, see wet and dry vacuums for multi-surface cleaning.

Depending on the type and size of the room, steam cleaning could be the preferred solution.

Hand cleaning techniques use chemical-free household ingredients while an advanced wet-dry vacuum aids in both preparation and finishing the process.

Here is a step-by-step guide to how to clean grout between tiles.

• Prepare the surface: Use a wet dry vacuum to remove loose dirt and debris.
• Make a baking soda paste: Mix baking soda with a little warm water to create a thick paste.  
• Apply the baking soda paste: Using your finger or a spoon, apply the baking soda paste directly onto the grout lines.
• Prepare the vinegar solution: In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
• Spray the vinegar: Spray the vinegar solution directly onto the baking soda paste on the grout. You'll notice a fizzing reaction.
• Let it sit: Allow the mixture to sit on the grout for up to 20 minutes.
• Scrub the grout: Using a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the grout lines in a circular motion. Some people use an old toothbrush while others buy a purpose-made brush.Once the brush is in hand, apply firm pressure to work the paste into the grout and loosen embedded dirt. For stubborn stains, you might need to apply more elbow grease.

Note: if you would rather skip step 7, the Dreame H15 Pro Heat Wet Dry Vacuum washes the tile at 185°F (85°C) and pulls the loosened grime straight out, so most floor grout comes up without scrubbing.

Once the grout is clean you want to keep it that way. A sealant will help prevent grimy buildup.

Quick Guide to Cleaning Tile Grout

4. Why You Need to Seal Grout

You need to seal grout to protect it from stains, moisture and future discoloration. Without a sealant, grout absorbs water and dirt easily, leading to mold, mildew, and stubborn stains over time. After the hard work of getting those grout lines back shiny as new, it is a good idea to apply some sealant. How often it’s applied and the type of sealant can vary according the room’s use.

Main bathrooms, kitchen floors, entryways and high-moisture areas such as showers should be sealed more often. Recommendations range from every six months to one year.

Low-traffic areas like guest bathrooms and laundry rooms might only need sealing every one to two years or even longer.

Different sealants for different floors

The primary sealant types are penetrating sealers and membrane-forming sealers.

• Penetrating sealers, also known as impregnators, are highly recommended because s they absorb into cement-based grout, forming an invisible, breathable barrier that repels water and stains without changing the grout's appearance.
• Membrane-forming or topical sealers for high-moisture areas create a surface coating that can give a specific finish.

For most common cement-based grouts in wet environments, a penetrating sealer provides the best protection.

Now establish a routine that stops daily buildup.

5. Prevent Buildup on Grout

To prevent future grout discoloration and haze, robot vacuum and mop combinations such as the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen2 Robot Vacuum are excellent for maintaining tile floors, keeping them dust- and spill-free with minimal effort.

It vacuums the loose grit first, then mops, which is the order that matters: dry debris left on the floor turns into the paste that settles into a grout line. Smart mapping means the kitchen and bathroom get done on a schedule rather than when you remember.

A routine of using a wet dry vacuum to keep surfaces clean is also recommended to deter dirt from settling in the grout between tiles.

If you are choosing one, the wet and dry vacuum collection sorts them by floor type and tank size.

You are certainly not alone if you have trouble cleaning the grout between tiles on your floor. It's a challenge in almost every home. Frequently asked questions include: 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Grout

What is the best way to clean grout on tile floors?

The best way to clean grout on tile floors is to use a stiff brush with the right cleaning solution such as a paste of baking soda or hydrogen peroxide. For an effective and chemical-free deep clean, a wet dry vacuum cleaner is highly recommended because it uses hot water to loosen embedded dirt and grime.

How often should I clean my tile grout?

You should deep clean your tile grout at least once a year. However, in high-traffic areas, kitchens and bathrooms, more frequent deep cleaning might be necessary, perhaps two or more times a year.

How do professionals clean tile grout?

Professionals clean tile grout by first applying specialized pre-treatment solutions to loosen embedded dirt and grime. They then use equipment such as high-pressure hot water extractors or rotary scrubbing machines with specialized brushes to thoroughly clean and rinse the grout lines, often following up with a sealant to protect the newly cleaned surface.

How much does grout cleaning cost?

The cost of professional grout cleaning typically ranges from $0.50 to $3.50 per square foot, though many companies have a minimum charge, often between $100 and $200. Factors influencing the final price include the total area to be cleaned, the condition of the grout, the type of tile, and whether additional services like sealing or repair are included.

How do you clean grout without scrubbing?

Let the chemistry do the work, then extract rather than wipe. Spread a baking soda paste, spray it with a vinegar solution, and leave it twenty minutes so the grime lifts on its own. A hot water wet dry vacuum then pulls it out of the joint instead of pushing it back in, which is what a mop and bucket do.

What should you not clean grout with?

Keep bleach, ammonia and any acidic cleaner off cement-based grout. Bleach and ammonia strip the sealant and can lighten the grout unevenly, and acids eat into the cement itself. Steel wool and hard-bristled metal brushes do the same damage mechanically. Stick to baking soda, hydrogen peroxide or a diluted vinegar solution.

Getting a tile floor back to how it looked when it was new is not a mission impossible. A little kitchen chemistry, the right tool for the rinse, and the grout lines come back.