How To Green Clean the Grout In Your Bathroom (Image credit: Ashley Poskin) Grout is no fun. The word even sounds unhappy. And the bright white stuff shows Every. It's porous, hard to get to, easily stains—the list goes on. But fret not, here we have it: some helpful tips to make your least favorite chore a little more bearable. Related Video: Don't want to clean your grout? Grout brush or scrub brush (a toothbrush works as well!) Step 1: Start with vinegar. Fill your spray bottle with a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water and spray the work area generously. Let the solution sit for about five minutes, then follow up with a grout brush or a scrub brush. If you don't have one of these, a toothbrush works in a pinch. Rinse with warm water. Step 2: Add baking soda. In a small bowl, make a paste with baking soda and water. Dip your toothbrush or grout brush in the paste and work it into the grout. Spray the area with your vinegar + water solution.

The vinegar will cause the baking soda to bubble up and will start to work away that nasty soap scum. Use your brush and get all the way into the grout lines to remove buildup. Got really tough grout stains? If you've got visible stains, mold or mildewed grout, hydrogen peroxide is a game changer. auto steam cleaning kansas citySpray it on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes then go to work on it with your scrub brush of choice. carpet cleaning business success rateYou might have to repeat this step a few times if you've got a tough stain. best at home fabric steamerIf repeated efforts still aren't making the stain disappear, try making a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste. carpet cleaner rental food basics

Apply the paste to the grout lines, let sit, scrub and rinse with warm water. Here's how to keep your grout looking good: The best way to save yourself from the dreaded grout scrubbing experience? Spray down your shower with a 1:1 vinegar and water mix before you get out of the shower. best carpet cleaner powder ukClearly label a spray bottle "Shower Spray" (set it up high, out of the reach of kids if that's an option) and keep it in the shower. las vegas pool parties november 2012You don't have to spray religiously; 2-3 times each week will make a major difference and you'll find yourself four inches away from your shower walls a lot less often! Note: I found my hydrogen peroxide in a super handy spray bottle at Walgreens and keep it in my cleaning bucket. It was a bit more expensive than a regular ol' screw top bottle, but it's so convenient I find myself using it in place of other not so green cleaners—and THAT is worth it to me!

I keep larger bottles on hand to refill it after it's run out. Edited from an original post by Amber Byfield published on February 3, 2011 More great tips and tutorials: Cleaning BasicsTile is beautiful, durable, and generally easy to clean, but cleaning grout? That’s a different story. Because of its (typically) light coloring and porous composition, grout is prone to staining. In a tiled entry or mudroom, dirt and grime are the usual culprits, while in the kitchen, spills are more likely to blame. Soap, mold, and mildew meanwhile make it difficult to maintain clean grout in bathrooms. Fortunately, white grout is possible using only common household products and a bit of elbow grease—and this complete guide for how to clean grout. With any cleaning project, it’s always best to start off with the mildest cleaning solution. When in doubt about a grout cleaner, test it in a hidden spot—on the lines behind or under an appliance, for example. The following suggestions for cleaning grout are ranked from the mildest to the strongest:

• The best way to begin is with plain water and a stiff-bristled brush. (If you don’t have one already, most home centers and hardware stores carry an assortment of brushes specifically designed for the purpose of cleaning grout.) Simply spray warm water on the grout lines and scrub in a circular motion, then let dry. • For heavier dirt and mild stains, turn to vinegar, a trusty old standby for many household chores. Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and warm water. Spray on the grout, let it stand for five minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush. • To bring even more cleaning power to the party, cover grout lines with a paste of baking soda and water, then spray on the vinegar solution listed above. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush and rinse with plain water. • Moderate stains may require you to use hydrogen peroxide, which is available in most drug stores. You can use the product straight, or apply a paste made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

• For tougher stains and really grimy grout, use oxygen bleach as a grout cleaner. You’ll find this cleanser is most often sold in powdered form; best-selling brands include OxiClean, Clorox OxiMagic, and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus. Whatever product you choose to clean grout, make sure the area is well-ventilated then carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for application. Generally, you will want to let the oxygen bleach solution work for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water so that the dirt doesn’t resettle into the grout lines. • Chlorine bleach and commercial cleansers can be used sparingly in extreme cases to clean grout. One of my go-to products when all else fails is Clorox Clean-Up spray. Long-term use of caustic cleaners will erode grout, though, so these products should be used on a limited basis. • Steam cleaners can be an effective and environmentally-friendly method of cleaning grout—or, for that matter, many hard surfaces throughout the house.