Method 1: White Vinegar (Light Staining)

  1. 1

    Spray undiluted white vinegar on the grout

    Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray generously along the grout lines. Make sure the grout is saturated.

  2. 2

    Leave 5 minutes then scrub

    Allow the vinegar to sit for 5 minutes. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush — an old toothbrush reaches between tiles perfectly. Scrub back and forth along the grout line.

  3. 3

    Rinse with warm water

    Rinse thoroughly with warm water to remove vinegar and loosened dirt. Dry with a clean cloth.

Do not use vinegar on natural stone tilesWhite vinegar is acidic and damages marble, travertine, limestone and other natural stone surfaces. For stone tiles, use a pH-neutral cleaner only.

Method 2: Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide (Stubborn Staining)

  1. 4

    Make a thick paste

    Mix baking soda with enough 3% hydrogen peroxide (from a pharmacy) to form a thick paste — roughly equal parts. Add a few drops of dish soap for extra cleaning power.

  2. 5

    Apply to grout and leave 10 minutes

    Apply the paste along the grout lines using an old toothbrush or your finger. Leave for 10–15 minutes. The hydrogen peroxide bleaches stains while the baking soda provides gentle abrasion.

  3. 6

    Scrub vigorously and rinse

    Scrub with a stiff brush, focusing on dark spots. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Repeat for very dark grout.

Method 3: Oxygen Bleach (Very Dark or Mouldy Grout)

Products like OxiClean or Napisan mixed with warm water make an excellent grout cleaner. Apply, leave 15–30 minutes, scrub and rinse. Safe on most grout and tile types. Good for shower grout with mould growth.

Maintaining clean groutSeal grout every 1–2 years — grout sealer repels water and stains, making future cleaning much easier. Spray weekly with a diluted vinegar solution in the shower to prevent mould buildup. Squeegee shower walls after each use to reduce moisture.

Frequently Asked Questions

If deep cleaning does not restore white grout, two options: grout paint/colorant (applied with a small brush to re-colour the grout — available from hardware stores) or re-grouting (removing the old grout with a grout saw and applying fresh grout). Grout paint is the much easier option and lasts several years.
Chlorine bleach works on white or light grout stains but can damage coloured grout over time and release fumes in enclosed spaces. If using bleach, dilute (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), ventilate the area well, wear gloves and rinse very thoroughly. Oxygen bleach (OxiClean) is safer and equally effective for most grout staining.