How to Clean Floor Grout Without Scrubbing

Published by Hala Zaqqout on May 25, 2022 | Last updated on May 15, 2023

Tile and stone on a floor or in a shower are beautiful, but the grout between them can get dusty and stained over time. Because we don’t always want to scrub on our hands and knees, you might be wondering how to clean floor grout without scrubbing.

But don’t let frustration get the better of you! In this Cleaners Advisor article, you’ll find some effective and eco-friendly methods for how to clean floor grout without scrubbing to get rid of that mess once and for all.

But first, we’ll tell you the main causes of dirty grouts so that you can choose the best method to clean them.


What Makes Floor Grouts So Filthy?

Final Results of Grout Restoration
Courtesy of “ebpsupply.com”

Several factors might easily turn your once-pleasant-looking grouts into the monstrous and disgusting look they now have. Grouts are undoubtedly one of your home’s dirtiest areas.

On the other hand, determining the causes of filthy grouts easily advances practical solutions for how to clean floor grout without scrubbing.

The factors are as follows:

1. The Grout’s Property

Grout is the material used to fill the space between two tiles.  It stays there to hold the tiles together. A grout must have specific features to do its job, such as being pervious and craggy. In other words, it easily absorbs and traps dirt over time.

In a nutshell, grout attracts dirt, mold, and mildew because it’s a porous material that attracts everything, especially in damp areas like the bathroom and kitchen.

Dust and liquids penetrate deeply into it and mix, forming mud and causing the grout to lose its milky white look.

2. The Level of the Grout

It is important to understand that grout is a low-lying area between floors. Thus, it naturally invites dirt, stains, water, and other agents to settle on it. It is difficult for the agents to escape because it has hardened over time after being trapped between two tiles.

Eventually, given its placement, the grout keeps all the agents underneath until they develop into minerals. Apparently, this accounts for why getting rid of filth without cleaning is so difficult.

3. Filthy Water and Mold

It’s also very common for dirty mop water to mess up the grout by mixing even more dust with liquids, and instead of getting the floor sparkling clean, it actually makes things worse by spreading and settling the water into the grout, which is the lowest area of the floor.

4. Wrong Cleaning Methods

The first mistake is using the wrong floor cleaner, soap, or detergent. The second mistake has to do with the force exerted on mopping and/or vacuuming.  The third mistake takes a seemingly innocent move: failing to thoroughly rinse the floor after mopping. This applies to whether you are using soap or not.

Meanwhile, an unrinsed soap works as an ultimate killer of grout quality. Soap residues harden quickly and penetrate the grout in just a few days. Soap residues are so bad for the grout’s quality that they have to be scrubbed away.

Now that we know the major causes of dirty grout, it’s time to explain our top six effective methods for how to clean floor grout without scrubbing.


How to Clean Floor Grout Without Scrubbing?

Clean Floor Grout without Scrubbing 1 1
Courtesy of “mystayathomeadventures.com”

Here’re six effective methods you can apply to clean floor grout effectively:

A. Vinegar, Lemon, and Water

The vinegar method provides an effective solution on how to clean floor tile grout without scrubbing. Lemons are well-known for their stain-removal ability.

In addition, the volatile effects of vinegar and baking soda together can be used to easily remove stains from floor grouts. And this’s how to clean grout on tile floor without scrubbing:

1. Mix 3½ cups of warm water, ½ cup of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), ⅓ cup of lemon juice, and ⅙ cup of white vinegar.

2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Then, spray it into the dirty grouts.

3. The grouts must be left like that for at least an hour for the mixture to properly sit in with the grouts.

4. Lightly scrub the grouts with a scrubber sponge to remove the dirt and grime.

For more details of how to clean floor grout without scrubbing using this method, watch this video below.

B. Baking Soda or Peroxide

If you are looking for a safe and cheap way to clean your grout, baking soda and peroxide are your first choice.

It is a great home solution for removing dirt from grouts. When baking soda comes into contact with water, it produces a unique solution that immediately dissolves grime. This’s how to clean floor grout without scrubbing using this method:

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a 1:1 ratio.

2. Add a splash of dish soap to break down grease (This’s optional).

3. Apply the paste to cover your grout lines.

4. Leave the mixture on your grout for 10 minutes before wiping the surface with a damp cloth.

Check out this video below to know how to use baking soda in cleaning grout.

C. Clorox Bleach

If you’re looking for a strong cleaning product for your grout, bleach or Clorox Bleach is the best option.

For rust and bad stains, use this method with caution. Because chlorine bleach might ruin your grout, it’s preferable to apply this method in small areas rather than all over your tiled surface. Here’s how to clean floor grout without scrubbing using this effective method:

1. Apply undiluted bleach to the grout lines.

2. Let it sit for only a few minutes.

3. Dry them up with a clean dry cloth.

Check out this video below to know more about floor grout cleaning process.

D. Alkaline Cleaners

Alkaline cleaners are often manufacturer-formulated cleaning solutions that are specifically designed to remove mold and mildew from grout.

It’s important to note that alkaline cleaners must be used according to the manufacturer’s directions. Each one may be different from the next, so don’t deviate. They, like bleach, can be dangerous to health, so follow all safety instructions.

And this’s how to clean shower grout without scrubbing using alkaline cleaners.

1. Apply an alkaline cleaner to get rid of mold or mildew. Every store-bought alkaline cleaner will have different dilution and use instructions.

2. Follow the instructions on the back for how long to let the product sit.

3. Many products work within 5-10 minutes.

4. Rinse the product off your tile after the recommended time.

E. Steam Cleaner

If you’re looking for a method to have a clean floor with absolutely no microbes, you can use the steam cleaner. Choose this method to go chemical-free and here’s how to do it:

1. To remove grime, steam cleaners use a mix of hot water and high pressure.

2. Ensure your steam cleaner goes up to 200 °F (93 °C) to disinfect the grout.

3. Hold the steam wand up to the grout lines and move it back and forth repeatedly to loosen up the dirt.

4. Go slow to make sure you’re getting a good burst of steam on the grout (Since the steam might not come out consistently).

F. Sealing the Grout

Grout sealing is the most efficient method to clean grout without scrubbing. Sealers were created specifically for this purpose.

By sealing the grout, you add an extra layer of protection against dirt, filth, mold, mildew, and anything else that could impact the look of the grout. If you don’t want to use one of the cleansers recommended above, seal the grout.

And here’s how to use the grout sealer to clean floor grout.


How to Clean Floor Grout Without Scrubbing FAQ


To Wrap Up

We’ve given you six effective methods for how to clean floor grout without scrubbing, as they are relatively easy to apply. You might prefer the results of one over another. It’ll take some experimenting with each method to find the ideal one for your needs.

If you know any other effective methods for how to clean floor grout without scrubbing, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment box below!