Cleaning tile grout has proven to be a difficult household chore for many. It's not necessary to rent expensive machines or to hire a service to clean your grout. It is possible to clean your own grout at home, and save some money by doing it yourself. Read on to learn how to clean grout.

You will need a stiff brush for scrubbing, something small enough to get between the tiles. Avoid metal bristles as this will cause wear and damage to the grout.

You will also need a cleaning solution; always start with the least acidic solution and move up to harsher ones as necessary. The progression should be as follows: a simple mixture of vinegar or baking soda with water, common household cleaners (Mr. Clean, Lysol), commercial tile and grout cleaner, and finally a product containing bleach (such as OxyClean). Important: DO NOT use bleach products on colored grout as this will cause discoloration!

Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area since some cleaning solutions are chemical-based. The amount of time to completion depends on how soiled the grout is and how fast you can work!

Grout can get dirty in different ways depending on where it is found; in the bathroom, it is susceptible to mold and mildew, whereas in the kitchen, it is vulnerable to food stains, foot traffic, and mildew. Not matter what the cause, grout cleaning is important for both hygienic and aesthetic purposes.

You will need a stiff brush for scrubbing, something small enough to get between the tiles. Avoid metal bristles as this will cause wear and damage to the grout.

You will also need a cleaning solution; always start with the least acidic solution and move up to harsher ones as necessary. The progression should be as follows: a simple mixture of vinegar or baking soda with water, common household cleaners (Mr. Clean, Lysol), commercial tile and grout cleaner, and finally a product containing bleach (such as OxyClean). Important: DO NOT use bleach products on colored grout as this will cause discoloration!

Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area since some cleaning solutions are chemical-based. The amount of time to completion depends on how soiled the grout is and how fast you can work!

Clean the grout with water and allow to dry. This will help get rid of surface dirt and debris, allowing you to hone in on just the grime that has settled into the grout.

Apply the appropriate cleaning product directly and evenly to the grout line. Let stand for a few minutes, then use the brush to scrub andloosen the dirt. Remember that you will get more dirt out if you use small circular motions rather than side-to-side motions. Wipe off whatever residue has come off from your scrubbing.

When floor is completely clean, rinse the grout with water. You can also use a mixture of 1/2 cup tile cleaner to 1 gallon of water.. Let the grout air dry overnight.

You can keep the grout looking fresh and new by applying a layer or two of grout sealer. You will need to re-apply the sealant at least once a year. Keep in mind that even with the sealer you will still need to periodically clean your tile grout.