Is your shower grout nasty-looking, and you’re unsure how to revitalize it? Leaving gunk and mildew to build up will only cause your grout to become more yellow or brown, eventually disintegrating over time.
Grout is not everlasting, but you might be able to make it look like new with proper cleaning. We’ll show you how to clean grout in the shower using multiple methods.
Key Takeaways
- Use a homemade cleaner with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap to clean grout in the shower.
- Alternative methods include using vinegar, baking powder, or steam cleaning for deeper cleaning.
- Regular maintenance, such as wiping down the shower and weekly cleaning, helps prevent mold and stains.
- Replace grout when it becomes moldy or crumbles under pressure to maintain a clean and safe shower environment.
Best Homemade Tile Grout Cleaner
You can clean your grout using products you already have around the house. So, without further ado, here’s the recipe for a homemade cleaner that helps you clean shower grout without scrubbing.
What You’ll Need
- Liquid dish soap.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Baking soda.
- Protective gloves.
- Small squeeze-top container.
Steps to Clean Grout with Homemade Grout Cleaner
Safety First
Slip on some protective gloves. Hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for the surface of your skin but not for open wounds.
Open the squeeze-top container and make sure it’s clean. Pour in half a cup of baking soda and a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide using a funnel. Then add a teaspoon of any liquid dish soap.
Close the lid tightly and give the bottle a good shake to mix the ingredients.
Apply the solution directly onto the grout and let it sit for a few minutes. Then give it a scrub and rinse it off.
How to Clean Grout in the Shower
There are several ways, all with their pros and cons. See which ones work best for you.
With Vinegar
Cleaning a shower grout with vinegar is quite common, but only if it’s been sealed. Vinegar is particularly efficient if your grout shows mild stains or heavy dirt.
Grab a clean spray bottle. Fill it halfway with warm water and half with vinegar, spray it over the grout, and let it sit for five minutes. Then use a stiff brush to clean the surface.
Important
Never use vinegar on unsealed grout. It weakens the grout and causes deterioration.
With Baking Powder
Baking soda is also a powerful option for cleaning grout. Make a paste using baking soda and water and put it over the grout lines. Then apply some of the vinegar solution we talked about earlier.
You will notice that this concoction starts fizzing. When the foaming stops, use a brush to scrub the grout lines. Rinse it well with water and wipe it dry with a clean cloth.
With Hydrogen Peroxide
If your grout has moderate stains on it, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean it. Either use the product as it is or use it to make a mixture by adding baking soda. You can use it for sealed and unsealed grout.
With Pink Stuff
The Pink Stuff is pretty famous for use around the house. It has a lot of uses when it comes to cleaning, and it also works for cleaning shower tiles and grout.
Work the product into the grout using a sponge or a toothbrush you no longer use. When you’re done scrubbing, rinse it, and your grout should whiten.
How to Deep Clean Grout in the Shower
Sometimes you just need a little extra oomph.
With Oxygen Bleach
Make a solution using three tablespoons of oxygen bleach powder and put it in a bucket with two gallons of water.
Use a cloth or a sponge to spread the solution on the grout lines, saturating them. Let the solution sit for about five minutes. Rinse using clean water.
With Commercial Cleaner
Commercial shower grout cleaners usually contain a significant amount of chlorine bleach, so use them sparingly and only in extreme cases.
Each shower grout cleaner should come with specific instructions on how to apply it to your grout lines. Always follow the directions specified on the label.
With Steam
Steam cleaners can be very efficient in getting rid of stubborn stains on the grout, and they are very easy to use on the shower floor. Cleaning with steam gets rid of grime, grit, and muck that would otherwise sabotage your grout cleaning efforts.
Begin by thoroughly cleaning the area where you plan to use the steam cleaner. Excess filth or soap scum might jam the steam cleaner brush, which can be frustrating. Use a sweeper and a damp mop to remove dirt and grime.
Tiles on the walls should be cleaned with sponges and a little detergent if desired, followed by rinsing.
Steam the grout line using a tiny brush attached to the steam lance. Make mild scrubbing motions with the brush as you go. Grout can be easily cleaned by just scrubbing it.
Stop scrubbing at regular intervals to mop or rinse each region that has been cleaned. The contaminated water must be cleaned up immediately before it dries up and makes the grout dirty again.
When necessary, refill and reheat the steamer. Repeat this until the job is completed. Finally, clean the entire surface with a final sweeping motion.
With Chlorine Bleach
Safety Note
Always use rubber gloves when working with bleach products. Also, open all doors and windows and work in a well-ventilated bathroom.
Take a grout brush and dip it inside the chlorine bleach. Apply it over the grout lines and scrub until all stains are removed. Use clean water to rinse the tile and use a sponge to get rid of any remaining bleach residue.
With Grout Renewal
Grout renewal products are similar to sealers and are meant to change the color of cement grout joints. You have to use these products as recommended on the label, so be careful and read the instructions before applying them to your grout lines.
Grout Maintenance Tips
Wiping down your shower after every use with a daily shower cleaner can prevent stains and premature grout damage.
This daily cleaning routine is essential, but it doesn’t spare you from having to perform weekly cleaning. Deep cleaning the shower is as simple as using water and baking soda. Rub the grout lines and rinse with clean water.
When to Replace Shower Grout
Grout’s velvet-white gloss will only last a few years before it begins to fade. It will discolor due to water stains and other impurities over time.
Unfortunately, these are difficult to get rid of once they appear. Cleaning methods can occasionally restore the vibrancy of fading colors, although this is not always the case.
There are two obvious signals that you need to redo your tile grouting. The presence of mold is the first indicator. If mold is growing atop grout, it may also be growing behind it.
The second is the texture of the grouting. Press your fingernail on the grout applying moderate pressure. If it starts to crumble, you need to regrout.
FAQs
Here are a few common questions and answers to help you better understand what to do.
What are the Different Types of Grout?
The three main types of grouts include sanded grout, unsanded grout, and epoxy grout.
How Do Professionals Clean Shower Grout?
Most experts use a 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water to clean shower grout, stating this is the best way to do it. Compared to specialized PH-neutral grout cleaners, this method is frequently more effective.
Does Oxiclean Work on Grout?
OxiClean is a grout cleaning solution that is safe for the environment. Unlike chlorine bleach, which may discolor the grout, OxiClean cleans, sanitizes, and removes stains without causing damage to the surface of the grout.
Can You Use Steel Wool On Grout?
When cleaning grout, you typically want to avoid anything too abrasive. That includes wire brushes, steel wool, or abrasive cleaners (like Borax).
Pro Tip
Using abrasives can actually wear away your grout, causing chipping and crumbling. This eventually leads to further damage in your shower.
In the End
As you can see, there are different approaches for those wondering how to clean grout in the shower. However, daily and weekly maintenance are essential if you want to avoid problems like mold, black stains, or grout that looks old ahead of time.
