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Light coloured tile kitchen needs grout cleaning.

Overview

Sparkling fresh grout lines can make a huge difference to your bathroom or kitchen. Over time, grout can gather dirt, stains and mould and become an unsightly grey, brown or even black. Giving them a good clean will transform your tiles. We’re sharing expert tips and step-by-step instructions for the best way to clean grout.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Clean the surface

Begin by sweeping or vacuuming the floor to eliminate any loose hair, dirt, or dust. Next, use a dry, clean cloth to wipe down the surface, making sure to remove any lingering dust or loose particles. It's important to ensure that the surface is completely dry, as a dry surface is essential for effective tile grout cleaning.

A person vacuuming the floor.

2Apply the grout cleaner

Put on your safety equipment (like rubber gloves and safety glasses) and apply the tile grout cleaner evenly along the grout lines, adding a few extra sprays to any stubborn areas. Allow the product to absorb according to the instructions on the label.

If you’re after a more natural approach, try creating your own homemade tile grout cleaner. Mix equal parts baking soda and white vinegar in a bowl to form a paste the consistency of toothpaste. Using a sponge or your fingers, apply a liberal amount to the grout lines. Allow this to sit for five to 10 minutes.

Applying the long life grout cleaner.

3Scrub the grout

Once the time is up, use an old toothbrush or grout brush to work the cleaner into the grout. Give the area a good scrub to help lift any dirt, debris or stains.

If you’re using your homemade mixture and the grout doesn’t scrub clean easily, reapply the paste and leave it to sit for an hour before scrubbing again.

A person is cleaning grout lines with a long-handled grout brush.

4Rinse with water

Use your shower head or a mop and a bucket of water to thoroughly rinse the cleaning solution off the tiles and grout. You can help the process by loosening any remaining bits of tile grout cleaner with a sponge and water. Allow the surface to dry completely.

Tip: Opening a window or turning on the exhaust fan will help speed up the drying process and increase ventilation.

A person mopping the floor with cotton mop.

5For a fresh and sparkling bathroom...

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.