If your bathroom is starting to look tired and shabby to you, it may just be because the grout in the tiles is dirty. This is something that can be fixed with a bit of elbow grease and some scrubbing. It will not cost you a lot of money. It is simple to do if you know how to clean tile grout.

The first thing you need to know before you even begin to consider how to clean tile grout is that there are three types of grout which are typically used in most North American homes.  They are cement based grout, flooring grout and resin. Grout, because it is usually cement based, is a porous product. Because it is porous, it absorbs moisture and eventually will become stained. Grout can be sealed shortly after it’s been applied but the sealer needs to be reapplied regularly if it is to stay looking clean and fresh.

Before you begin to consider how to clean tile grout you must first consider the type of tools you will need for this project. You will need a variety of brushes such as an old toothbrush (medium is best), or a brush with hard plastic bristles.

If you grout is just lightly stained, you can clean it with a solution made of dishwashing detergent. Simply apply a bit of this solution to the grout and then scrub with one of the brushes. Rinse thoroughly when finished.

If your grout has stronger stains, make a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Combine 3 cups of baking soda to 1 cup of vinegar. Apply this paste to the grout and allow to sit for about fifteen minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

If that does not work well enough, you can try mixing ½ cup of baking soda with 1/3 cup of ammonia. This is an extremely strong solution, though. Be sure to test it on a small portion of grout before using. Do not ever combine ammonia with bleach. It will cause noxious fumes to develop which can overwhelm you.

If you still are not able to get your grout clean and are still wondering how to clean tile grout you can try a mixture made from ¼ cup bleach and ¾ cup of baking soda. Apply this to the grout with a sponge and allow to sit for about fifteen minutes. Rinse thoroughly.

If none of these methods work, you should consider hiring  a professional to clean your grout. The professional technician who will come to your home will clean your grout with a steam cleaning machine. This machine will remove all the mold, mildew, dirt and stains.

If you have noticed that your grout has developed some mildew, you might really be wondering how to clean tile grout with mildew stains. Bleach is one product that works especially well on mildew on grout. Be sure to always well –ventilate any room where you are working with bleach. The fumes can be very powerful. White vinegar will also deal with mildew very easily. Wash with soap and water after you are finished applying the vinegar or bleach to your grout. In addition, rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide will remove mildew from grout with very little effort.