This Magical TikTok Grout Cleaning Hack Uses Ingredients You Already Have At Home
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.
Have you ever tried to scrub your grout with a basic cleaner but found that the product wasn't very effective? Or, maybe it worked but the grueling process wasted hours of your precious time. If so, there's a better solution. Instead of using a store-bought cleaner, you can make your own using ingredients you probably already have on hand. As described by TikToker @lisateuscher, you'll need ¾ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and a squirt of dish soap, which you can mix together until combined.
The benefits of using this cleaner are that there's very little scrubbing required; after just a couple of swipes with a bristle brush, all the marks and debris should easily lift. Further, this mixture will both cleanse and lighten your grout at the same time, leading to a sparkling-clean surface. This may also save you money, as the ingredients could be cheaper than the price of a store-bought cleaner. And, all the ingredients are non-toxic, so the homemade product is safe for your family to use.
How to use this cleaner on grout
After you've mixed together the above ingredients, you can then place the solution in a squirt bottle with a small nozzle, such as the Restaurantware 8 Ounce Squeeze Bottle on Amazon. Because the tip of these bottles is so small, it should fit perfectly into your grout grooves, which will make applying the cleaner extra simple. Just place the nozzle in the grout and drag it across the tiled surface. Once it's applied, allow the cleaner to sit for 15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
Then, to clean the grout, lightly scrub with a bristle brush and hot water, which you can keep in a bucket beside you. The stains and dirt should come up with just a few swipes of the brush. As you continue, keep dipping the brush back into the water. If you're cleaning grout on a wall, finish the job by washing the tile with a damp cloth. On the other hand, if you're cleaning grout on the floor, vacuum up any extra pieces of baking soda and mop the entire surface.
Why it works and additional cleaning methods
This homemade cleaner works wonders due to the unique combination of products. The baking soda is slightly abrasive, meaning that the small granules eliminate dirt without harming your tiles or grout. The hydrogen peroxide acts as a non-toxic bleach by lightening the area and cleaning it well. Finally, the dish soap contains degreasing agents that help lift stains.
There are also a few alternative ways to maximize this cleaning hack. Instead of using a bottle with a small nozzle, a spray bottle could also work for dispensing the product onto your grout. You could scrub the dirt and grime with a toothbrush instead of a bristle brush as well. Once you've cleaned your grout, you can then seal it with a grout sealer, such as Miracle Sealants from Lowe's. This will keep you from having to clean your tile surface as often, as the clear product will prevent dirt and grime from making their way into the grooves.