While you’re living in your rental, you probably want a nice, clean shower complete with sparkling white grout like the day you moved in. Or, you may be moving out of your rental and need to get the grout clean fast. There are many solutions you can try to get your grout as clean as possible, and finding the best way to clean tile and grout in a shower, on a floor, or other surface is an experiment in testing solutions to get the results you want.
Here is everything you need to know about the trial-and-error process of getting the cleanest shower grout possible.
Tools for cleaning grout in showers
Stock up on the following tools and cleaning solutions to help you find the best way to clean shower grout in your home:
- Stiff-bristled brush, like a small, household cleaning brush or even a clean toothbrush (that you’re never going to use again)
- Empty spray bottle
- Small- or medium-sized bowl
- Measuring cup
- Hydrogen peroxide
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Store-bought tile and grout cleaner
- Oxygen bleach, like OxiClean
- Chlorine bleach
- A steam mop
How to clean grout in the shower
The effectiveness of various strategies depends on how dirty the grout is, the type of grime, and when you last cleaned the tile and grout. Go through the following steps of cleaning shower tile and grout to find the solution that works best for your home:
1. Try warm water and a stiff cleaning brush
If your grout isn’t too dirty, you might be able to get away with scrubbing the grout with warm water and a stiff-bristled cleaning brush. All you have to do is spray warm water onto the surface and scrub away. Let it dry completely, and then see if it needs another round or a tougher solution.
2. Mix a vinegar and warm water solution
White vinegar is a staple in household cleaning and cooking thanks to its acidity. For tough dirt and stains, try the old half-and-half mixture of white vinegar and warm water on grout. Combine equal parts vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, spritz the concoction onto the tile and grout, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then scrub it away with the cleaning brush.
3. Apply baking soda to the grout and then spray with vinegar
You can better target the lines of grout by covering them with a baking soda-water paste and then spraying the area with the white vinegar solution. This mixture will start to bubble and foam, and once that stops, you can commence with scrubbing. Be sure to rinse the area thoroughly and let it dry.
4. Use hydrogen peroxide on particularly dirty grout
Another option for stubborn stains and dirt is to use hydrogen peroxide, a common chemical compound you might find in your first aid kit. It could be the easiest way to clean grout in a shower, bathroom floor, kitchen, or other tiled surface. Slowly pour small amounts of hydrogen peroxide on the grout you want to clean and scrub. Or, you can mix it with baking soda to create a paste you can apply directly to grout lines, give it a little scrub, and then wash it away.
5. Spray on oxygen bleach and let sit for 15 minutes
If vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide aren’t doing the trick, head to your laundry room to get the oxygen bleach. This powered bleach targets really tough dirt, grime, and stains on many materials and surfaces, including tiles and grout. Here’s how:
- Rinse the area you’re going to clean if you recently tried any of the previous solutions
- Open the windows or otherwise ventilate the area to promote airflow and prevent irritation
- Review the instructions for safe use and need for protective gear, like rubber gloves
- Sprinkle the oxygen bleach onto the area and let sit for up to 15 minutes
- Rinse again with clean water
6. Opt for a store-bought tile and grout cleaner
Commercial grout cleaners target mildew, dirt, mold, soap residue, and other stains that tarnish your bright, white grout. If the other household tricks with vinegar and baking soda aren’t working, try one of two methods with a store-bought commercial cleaner:
- Spray the cleaner on the area, let sit, wipe it down, and then rinse away.
- Spray the cleaner, let sit, scrub with a stiff-bristled cleaning brush, and then rinse.
Scrubbing is your best bet to really getting that dirt and grime out of your grout. And as with the oxygen bleach solution, be sure to rinse the area completely before using this product if you recently tried the earlier household hacks.
7. Wash with a steam mop
Consider investing in a steam mop, which uses hot steam to lift and remove all sorts of dirt and grime from hard surfaces, like tile flooring. You can also use this tool as a preliminary wash, for the finishing touches, or to knock it out all in one go.
8. Use chlorine bleach if nothing else works
Try mixing 3/4 cup of household chlorine bleach with 1 gallon of water for another powerful grout-cleaning concoction. Carefully dip your cleaning brush into the solution, scrub the affected areas (paying close attention to grout lines), and let sit for up to 15 minutes. Then, rinse with clean water to reveal your newly white grout lines.
Again, make sure that you’ve completely rinsed away all other attempts using baking soda or vinegar because if these come into contact with chlorine bleach, it could result in toxic fumes.
9. Treat your grout regularly
The best way to clean shower tile grout, and keep it clean for longer, is to regularly spray down the area with one of your trusted household solutions. For example, you might keep a spray bottle full of white vinegar-water solution that you apply to your shower, bathroom tile, or other tiled surface once a week. All you have to do is quickly wipe it away and rinse as needed. This can reduce the need to use harsh chemicals and elbow grease for scrubbing.
Cleaning shower tile and grout regularly can help make your rental feel comfortable and safe for you and anyone else who spends time there. And if you’re ready for a new rental property, use Zumper to search through thousands of listings in your ideal neighborhood.
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