I Tested 3 DIY Grout Cleaners, and This One Worked the Best

The grout on my bathroom floor tile haunts me. It’s one of those projects I never really have the time or the initiative to tackle, but I hate how dirty it’s become. It’s beyond the maintenance stage and in desperate need of a really good cleaning. Luckily, I discovered a DIY grout cleaner using common household products that worked wonders in my bathroom.

I asked Taryn Williford, Apartment Therapy’s former lifestyle director and cleaning expert, for her best DIY grout cleaning suggestions, then put them all to the test in my bathroom. These are the results — and the one method I’ll reach for again and again.

I decided to approach the grout cleaning like a science experiment. I taped off three tiled sections on my bathroom floor next to each other and got to work. (I can’t believe I’m displaying close-ups of my grimy grout on the internet, but here we go.) Taryn suggested three DIY grout cleaning methods: a combo of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda; water and baking soda; and warm water and distilled white vinegar. I mixed everything up in reusable containers and used new toothbrushes to do the scrubbing for each method.

The ratings: I based my ratings on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. I considered several factors, including how simple the method was to implement, how much effort was involved, and how effective the method was overall. 

The method: I mixed equal parts of baking soda and water in a container to form a paste (it was a little thinner than I was expecting, so I added some extra baking soda).

How it went: I was surprised at how quickly this method worked! I tried two techniques: The first was to let the paste sit for a bit and then scrub. The second was to dip the brush in the paste and scrub directly on the grout, which was actually more effective. Overall, the grout was noticeably cleaner but still a bit discolored. This method gets points for simplicity (just one ingredient I almost always have on hand), as well as ease and effectiveness. However, the job isn’t 100% done, and the grout is still pale gray.

The method: Hydrogen peroxide is one ingredient I don’t keep on hand, so I had to run to the store to pick it up. The hydrogen peroxide (one part) and the baking soda (two parts) made for a satisfying sizzle, and as I mixed it up, the paste turned foamy like watery shaving cream.

How it went: As I first started scrubbing, the results looked very similar to the baking soda and water method. But after a few minutes, it started brightening — and brightening. This one required perhaps the most elbow grease (the other solutions were easier to spread), but it was totally worth it. Over the hour I scrubbed, it kept looking better than I could have imagined. This was by far my favorite method. I knocked off one point because I had to get hydrogen peroxide.

I think part of why I was putting off cleaning the grout was because I was worried I wouldn’t be able to clean it, and that my procrastination was going to end up costing me money and time in re-grouting. But finally facing the project head-on was ultimately such a relief — I’m so relieved that I found a solution that really works.

That said, once I finished, I did try to clean the whole bathroom with the winning solution. But after four hours of painstakingly scrubbing those three squares, I just didn’t have the stamina to keep going. So with that in mind, I really don’t think a toothbrush is the best option here. While it’s precise, it’s also incredibly slow and laborious. When I revisit this project, I’m going to use a proper scrub brush (OXO and Full Circle Home make brushes for this very purpose) and take on the rest. If you’d prefer a premade solution for cleaning your bathroom grout, Apartment Therapy editors swear by Zep Grout Cleaner.

Cleaning grout can be such a laborious and time-consuming task that it can be tempting to use shortcuts to make the job easier. However, some strategies that seem to work well in the short term can create more problems in the long run. This is true not only for the grout itself, which is porous and easily absorbs products, but also for the surrounding tile, which can become etched and dull.

For these reasons, don’t use overly caustic or acidic substances like bleach or ammonia, which can degrade grout over time. Additionally, bleach can leave behind a dirt-attracting film, cause the bond between the grout and tile to weaken, and fade colored grout. Using toilet bowl cleaner, which often contains bleach, should also be avoided, as it causes similar issues.

While mopping tile floors and wiping down backsplash should be part of your regular weekly or biweekly cleaning schedule, you can get away with cleaning grout far less frequently. But it all depends on the location of the tile.

If the tile is in an area of your home that stays relatively dry and doesn’t see much foot traffic, you might be able to clean grout just once or twice a year. But if the tile installation is a kitchen backsplash or a wall in a frequently used shower, then you’ll need to clean grout more often, perhaps even once a month to avoid mildew and stains from setting in. Of course, if you’ve spilled or splashed something on the tile — a common occurrence for kitchen tile backsplashes — then you’ll want to clean the grout as soon as possible to avoid staining.

The best way to avoid spending hours scrubbing grout is to prevent buildup in the first place. Fortunately, a few small habits can make a big difference.