Scrubbing is usually involved when it comes to cleaning grout, but if you are looking for the easiest way to clean grout without scrubbing then you have come to the right place. The secret is to use a cleaning solution that works by itself and doesn’t need much elbow grease.
Our preferred method is to use a mixture of baking soda and distilled white vinegar, which – once applied to the surface – will deeply clean any grout without the need for scrubbing. This can be simply wiped away afterwards and your grout will be returned to its former glory.
Let’s jump straight into the method, as well as some alternatives if you don’t have baking soda and vinegar on hand.
Easiest Ways To Clean Baking Soda Without Scrubbing
It’s important to know that scrubbing is still highly effective when used in combination with any of the cleaning methods below, but you can still use them successfully without doing so.
With all of the methods listed below, make sure to wear appropriate safety gear such as rubber gloves and a mask and spot test each solution first on a small area of grout beforehand.
1. Baking Soda and Distilled White Vinegar
Baking soda combined with distilled white vinegar forms an effective cleaning solution that actively cleans without the need for scrubbing due to the reaction between the two components. Both ingredients are also common to have around the house anyway, so this method is convenient in that sense as well.
To use this method simply follow the steps below.
- Vacuum the floor and grout thoroughly to remove any loose debris using a floor-safe attachment.
- Mix one part baking soda to two parts distilled white vinegar in a container as needed.
- Apply the solution to the grout generously., ensuring that all of the grout is covered.
- Leave the solution for 10 minutes.
- Once the time is up wipe the floor with a clean cloth to remove all of the solution.
2. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another cleaning agent that works well without the need for extra scrubbing, it also has a lot of different applications around the house.
- Start by vacuuming as before to remove loose debris.
- Put on rubber gloves and a face mask and ensure the area is well ventilated.
- Apply a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution using a spray bottle generously to the area and leave it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Once the time is up wipe the solution off the floor using a cloth
3. Oxygen Bleach
Oxygen bleach is great for tackling heavy stains or grease, but make sure to wear rubber gloves and a mask while handling it – as well as ventilating the area.
You will usually find this in powdered form, and it should be applied directly to the grout for 10-15 minutes and then wiped away with a cloth. Oxygen bleach is quite hardcore stuff, so we don’t recommend using it regularly.
4. Use A Branded Grout Cleaner
The last option is to simply buy a grout cleaning solution that can be found in any hardware store.
Most of these will recommend scrubbing, but you can get away with allowing the solution to sit on the surface of the grout and wiping away in most circumstances.
Is Your Grout Sealed?
One thing to consider is whether your grout is sealed or not.
There are a lot of different types of grout sealants, and you need to check with your manufacturer to see what cleaning agents they recommended to be used. Most options above should work fine in conjunction with sealed/unsealed grout, but be careful with more aggressive methods like oxygen bleach.
Why Does Grout Get So Dirty?
Grout gets dirty so often because it is a prime location where dust and other particles collect. It is also where spills of liquids can sit for extended periods of time which can lead to mold growth as well.
This is because grout is usually uneven with the level of the floor, which can happen for a lot of reasons such as damage or poor installation. This unevenness causes the grout to attract dirt, which shows up easier as grout is usually white or brightly colored.
How To Keep Grout Clean
Here are some great tips for keeping your grout clean – it really isn’t as difficult as you would think!
Maintain Your Floor
Maintaining your floor is something that we are all guilty of not doing properly, but it can pay dividends over the long run and it doesn’t take much effort to do.
A good maintenance schedule involves vacuuming regularly and mopping when necessary with a cleaning solution that works for your type of flooring.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming only takes a couple of minutes and prevents the build-up of dust and other particles which are likely to gather around grouted areas between tiles.
We recommend vacuuming at least once per week with a floor-friendly attachment to keep your grout looking clean.
Mop Regularly
Another thing you should be doing is mopping regularly, ideally wet mopping.
Wet mopping is beneficial because it not only removes loose particles of dust but it will also clean and sanitize the floor and grout.
Regrout When Necessary
If your grout becomes damaged, which is common over time, then it becomes more susceptible to trapping dirt and other particles. This can make it a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which is the last thing you want.
If you regrout when necessary you will maintain the quality of your grout which will help to keep it cleaner in the long run.
You can learn how to regrout in our guide here.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have learnt the easiest way to clean grout without scrubbing in this article, and probably a couple of other methods as well!
If you have any other methods that you have had success with then please get in touch and let us know!