10 Easy DIY Tile & Grout Cleaning Recipes that Really Work

Is your dirty tile and grout the bane of your existence? Then this tile and grout hack to scrub is perfect for you!

DIY Tile And Grout Cleaning Hacks That Will Change The Way You Clean Forever

Trust me when I say this homemade cleaner gets the job done. The grout in my bathroom and kitchen has never looked better, and it holds up for quite a while!

This is the most important part because truth is told, nobody wants to keep scrubbing their bathroom and kitchen. Especially constantly scrubbing because of mold and mildew, these recipes will help you stay ahead of the curve.

Using any one of these recipes periodically will help in keeping your bathroom and kitchen tile clean. The recipes are eco-friendly. And if the scent of vinegar is too pungent for you, please wear a mask.

It is important to never ever mix bleach, and ammonia together. That will quickly land you in the emergency room and is horrible on your lungs.

Before you start scrubbing your floor tile, it is recommended to perform a cleaning routine first. Start with vacuuming the tile floor. Then, mop it with hot water, soap, and vinegar to clean up all the dirt and stains. This will help you get the best results in deep cleaning your tile and grout.

It is also very important to make sure you know what type of tile you are dealing with. The type of grout and the type of seal (if any) also matter. You need to check them and even test on a small spot on the tile and grout before you start cleaning.

Have in mind there is a whole lot of elbow grease to tackle the tile and grout you need to sparkle.

Natural tile and grout cleaning solution

If you’ve been reading my posts for a while,  then you probably already know one thing, I hate cleaning the bathroom. Sure I love to make all the natural cleaning solutions, I love to spend time in the kitchen making sure it’s clean and looking nice, and I even love to make the beds and mop the floors (crazy I know), but when it comes to the bathrooms… nope I just dread it.

You Can Make Your Own Tile And Grout Scrub With This Simple Recipe

The main reason why I dread it so much it’s because there’s a ton of time spent scrubbing the tile grout. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to add little holes in a wall that’s constantly being sprayed with water (aka the perfect spot for mold?). And while you can use bleach to make the job easier it’s still not perfect, and definitely not as frugal or healthier.

So I decided to try my hand at crafting a solution, and oh my gosh, it’s amazing. And I actually mean it! This is really tough on the tile and grout so you barely need to scrub it. But at the same time, it’s gentle enough on your hands and walls. And it smells great — way better than any bleach-based cleaner that you could use.

 

Recommended Tools For The Perfect Grout Cleaning

An old toothbrush is good to use and if you do not have one laying around, it is a good time to treat yourself to a new toothbrush. You can also head over to your local hardware store and buy a heavy-duty grout brush.

The Best DIY Tile Grout Scrub Recipes For Sparkling Clean Tiles

1. Tile and Grout Scrub

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsps baking powder
• 1/2 Tbsp lime juice
• 3 Tbsps cornstarch
• 1 1/2 Tbsps vinegar
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix the cornstarch and baking powder.
2. Add half the vinegar and the salt and yes it will sizzle.
3. Add the lime juice and remaining vinegar.
4. Mix well and start using it using an old toothbrush or grout brush
5. Let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinse and repeat if needed.

This is a good method for both the kitchen and the bathroom.

Do you have granite counters in the kitchen or bathroom? We have some cool hacks to keep it clean in this article.

2. Tile and grout cleaner with hydrogen peroxide

This by far was the best method that showed the best results of all the methods we tried.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide

Directions:

1. Sprinkle baking soda onto the grout until it is covered.
2. spray with hydrogen peroxide until it is wet (and yes it will sizzle) wait ten minutes.
3. scrub with an old toothbrush and wipe clean.
4. If need be reapply the mixture to the grout line and let sit for at least ten minutes.
5. Using a sponge or paper towel, or a cloth wipe the mixture off.
6. Rinse with water and soap to remove any excess residue.

This natural cleaner is also perfect to additionally kill any mold and mildew buildup in the grout especially in bathrooms on the tile in showers. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture are also excellent in taking care of the tile in the kitchen and bathrooms and more so light-colored tile to bring the shine and light color back. I would recommend doing this kind of deep cleaning every four months.

3. Tile and grout cleaner with baking soda and essential oils

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tbsp salt
• 3 tbsp dishwashing liquid
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 10 drops essential oil (I used lavender)

Directions:

1. Be ready for this mixture to foam (A LOT)
2. I suggest you get a large bowl or a bucket to mix it in.
3. After you mix it well and the foaming stops, pour into a spray bottle.
4. Spray the grout, let sit for a few minutes, scrub and then rinse.

4. Tile and grout cleaner with vinegar

Ingredients:

• 1-gallon water
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp dish soap

Directions:

1. Again get ready for the sizzle and foam,
2. Combine baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap in a large container.
3. Slowly pour water into the container.
4. Pour into a spray bottle and spray on the grout and let it sit.
5. You can also use less water and make it into a paste and use a grout brush or old toothbrush to spread onto the grout lines.
6. let it sit for 20 minutes and then rinse.

5. Tile and grout cleaner with dishwashing soap

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp hand dishwashing detergent
• water

Directions:

1. Pour ingredients into a spray bottle and swirl to combine.
2. If pungent smells affect you, we suggest you wear a mask.
3. Spray on the bathroom tile, grout, walls, and floor, wait 5-10 minutes, scrub and rinse.

Looking for other cleaning hacks for your house? You have to check out our Super Easy Homemade Scrub Cleaner recipe, too.

6. Tile and Grout cleaner with castile soap and essential oils

Ingredients:

• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 2 tbsp Castile soap
• 30 drops of your favorite essential oil
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Directions:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a spray bottle.
2. use a funnel to power in the baking soda then shake to combine.
3. Spray onto the tile and grout scrub and wipe clean.

 

7. Tile And Grout Cleaner With Lemon Juice

Ingredients:

• 3 cups water,
• 1/2 cup baking soda,
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice,
• 1/4 cup white vinegar

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle.
2. Spray floor, let sit for a few minutes.
3. Scrub.

8. Tile And Grout Cleaner With Epsom Salt

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Epsom salts(fine grain)
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup liquid hand washing dish soap

Directions:

1. Mix together the Epsom salts, baking soda, and dish soap.
2. Scoop mixture onto the grout and rub clean.
3. Rinse with a cloth.

9. Tile and grout cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dish soap
• Vinegar

Directions:

1. Put half a cup of water, add baking soda In a large bowl. Mix it until it makes a paste.
2. Add dish soap to the mixture and mix everything well.
3. Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray onto the grout lines (do not over-saturate it and work in small sections).
4. With a grout brush or old toothbrush, spread the paste onto the grout and scrub.
5. Let it sit as you start the process in the next section.

After 5 minutes go back to that section and scrub again spray some more vinegar, let it sit for another 5 minutes as you work on another section. Go back to the first section and the third time wipe clean and use soap and water to rinse.

10. Tile And Grout Cleaning Final Wiping And Mopping

Ingredients:

• 1-gallon hot water
• 2 tbsp Castile soap
• 8-12 drops essential oil (I used lavender or your favorite essential oil)

Directions:

1. For a final rinse after deep cleaning your tile and grout,
2. Mix the ingredients in a bucket wipe down bathroom tile walls, and mop the floor.
3. This is also a good everyday mopping solution for your bathroom and kitchen floors. it is kid and pet friendly without any harsh chemicals and smells great.

How To Make The Best Of Your DIY Tile Grout Scrub?

Will the acid from the vinegar destroy the grout?

Deep cleaning of tile and grout should only be done a few times a year. A final clean with a pH-neutral cleaner is also recommended if done more often.

It’s also important to know and understand what type of grout you have. Sanded grout (which is cement and very durable and sturdy) or Unsanded grout (which is prone to damage from acidic cleaners).

Remember if these DIY recipes do not work, and you decide to use bleach or ammonia, please do not mix them together. 

How To Maintain Your Tile Grouts Sparkling Longer?

• After showering, use a squeegee to dry the tile, yes it takes a lot of time, it will save you hours of scrubbing later.
• Leave shower curtains and glass shower doors open,
• Run the exhaust fan if you have one or if possible open a window.
• If possible seal the grout especially to stop moisture and stains (mold, mildew) from penetrating

If you liked this tile grout scrub recipe, you’ll love these DIY cleaning hacks for the rest of your house too!

• Super Easy Homemade Scrub Cleaner
• The BEST Window Cleaner Ever
• DIY Granite Countertop Cleaner
• Homemade Laundry Recipes You’ve Gotta Try
• 15 Rubbing Alcohol Cleaning Recipes to Make Your House Sparkle