The Focus Way · Cleaning guide
How to clean grout (bathroom and kitchen tiles)
By the Focus Cleaning team · Published
The short answer
Start gently: scrub grout with warm water, a mild (pH-neutral) detergent and a nylon brush, then rinse and dry. For stains that remain, an oxygen-based cleaner (sodium percarbonate) can be an option if it suits your grout and tiles: follow the product instructions and test a hidden spot first. Whether to seal depends on the grout: cement-based grout can benefit from a sealer, while epoxy grout generally doesn't need one.
Before you start
What you'll need
- Bucket of warm water and a mild, pH-neutral detergent
- Nylon grout brush or soft toothbrush
- Sponge and microfibre cloths
- Rubber gloves
- Oxygen-based cleaner (optional, only where compatible)
- Grout sealer suited to your grout (optional, cement grout only)
Safety first
- Oxygen-based cleaners aren't chlorine bleach, but never mix them with other products, and follow the pack directions.
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaning products. Some combinations release toxic gas.
- Keep the room ventilated: open a window and run the exhaust fan while you work.
- Wear gloves, read the label on any product, and follow its directions.
- Store products in their original labelled containers, out of reach of children and pets.
Check the surface
- Find out what grout you have: cement-based grout is porous; epoxy grout is not, and is cleaned and maintained differently.
- Coloured grout can fade with stronger products. Test in a hidden corner and let it dry before judging.
- Natural stone tiles (marble, travertine, limestone) can be etched by acids, and some powders scratch unsealed or unglazed tiles.
Step by step
- 1
Wipe the surface clean
Wipe the tiles and grout with warm water and a mild detergent to remove surface dirt.
- 2
Scrub along the lines
Scrub a small section at a time along each grout line with a nylon brush dipped in the detergent solution.
- 3
Rinse
Wipe away the dirty solution with a sponge and clean water, changing the water as it gets dirty.
- 4
Check the result once dry
Let the grout dry. Damp grout looks darker, so judge stains only when it's dry.
- 5
Test a stronger product (optional)
If stains remain, try an oxygen-based cleaner on a hidden patch first, following the instructions on the pack, and check the colour once dry.
- 6
Treat the stains
If the test is fine, apply it to the stained grout for the time the pack states, scrub gently, and rinse well.
- 7
Dry completely
Dry with a cloth and let the area air-dry fully.
- 8
Seal cement grout (optional)
For cement-based grout, apply a sealer made for grout once it's clean and fully dry, following the product's instructions. Epoxy grout generally doesn't need sealing.
What the Focus team recommends
Gentle, regular cleaning is kinder to grout than an aggressive scrub once a year. Wiping spills quickly and drying wet areas after use helps grout stay clean for longer.
Questions
Will bicarb and vinegar clean grout?
Mixed together they fizz but largely neutralise each other. Frequent acids can also wear cement grout and etch natural stone, so start with a mild detergent instead.
What if the grout is still dark after cleaning?
Deep discolouration, or mould that has grown into the grout, may not lift. A tiler can advise on regrouting or a grout colourant.
How do I know if my grout needs sealing?
It depends on the grout and the sealer. Cement-based grout is porous and a grout sealer can help resist stains; epoxy grout is non-porous and generally doesn't need sealing. Check with your tiler or the product manufacturer.
Sources and further reading
- Care & Maintenance of LATICRETE Finish Materials (TDS-1113) · LATICRETE Australia (grout manufacturer)
- Epoxy Grouts FAQ · LATICRETE (grout manufacturer)
Appliance and product manuals always take priority over general advice.
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Focus Cleaning looks after homes on Sydney's Northern Beaches and North Shore. Deep & spring cleaning · Regular house cleaning