How to ‘brighten’ stained tile grout in minutes using two £1 cupboard ingredients

Mar 05, 2024

Grout is often white which means it can discolour quickly, either through mould or limescale, which can be hard to remove.

According to experts at Checkatrade, staining can make it hard to bring grout back to its best, but it is possible to “brighten” it with a few easy steps.

The experts said: “Fill your sink with warm water and grab your stiff-bristled brush, wet it and then rub the grout in a circular motion.

"Alternatively, fill your spray bottle with warm water, spray and brush in the same way.

“Prepare a mix of equal parts warm water and vinegar in your spray bottle. Spray it onto the grout and leave for several minutes.

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“Then scrub with your stiff-bristled brush and rinse with warm water. If your grout is still dirty, create a baking soda paste with warm water and apply it to the grout lines.

“Spray on your vinegar solution and allow it to foam. Scrub with your stiff-bristled brush and rinse with warm water.”

Baking soda and white vinegar help to lift stains and dirt from the grout through a reaction which releases carbon dioxide.

Both items can be picked up from various retailers for as little as £1 each but lots of Britons may already have them in their cupboard.

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The experts added: “If, after all of these steps, your grout is still stained and mouldy, then you may need to re-grout your tiles.

“Cleaning grout on floor tiles can be done in the same way as wall tiles.

"However, when cleaning floor tile grout there are additional safety aspects to take care of, such as creating a no-walk zone prior to cleaning to remove the risk of someone slipping over on the wet floor.

“As floor tiles are subjected to more dirt particles from shoes, pets and food/drink spillages, it may be that you need to try a commercial or industrial strength cleaning product.”

Specialist grout cleaning products can also be purchased but they often tend to be quite strong so make sure the area is well ventilated.

When it comes to cleaning grout, it is important to keep on top of the job to prevent discolouration over time.

It is also vital that the ventilation in the bathroom or kitchen is adequate to prevent mould build up within the grout.