How to Clean Dirty Grout with Homemade Cleaner | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva explains how to clean dirty tile grout using only household supplies.
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Cost: $0 and up
Time: 4-5 hours
Skill Level: Beginner
Tools:
Stiff scrub brush [amzn.to/3akDSsw]
Sponge [amzn.to/2XE0yRx]
(OPTIONAL) Grout knife [amzn.to/2VwokfS]
Shopping List:
Dish soap [amzn.to/34H1HcA]
Baking soda [amzn.to/2VD6982]
White vinegar [amzn.to/3ctKy9b]
Grout sealer [amzn.to/2ylHJrE]
Steps for Cleaning Grout with Homemade Cleaner:
1. Fill a cup with warm water.
2. Add the baking soda to the cup to give the mixture grit.
3. Add a few drops of the dish soap to the cup. Mix everything together.
4. Pour the vinegar along the edges of the grout. Don’t do too much at once or the floor will be really wet and more difficult to work on.
5. Pour the mixture on top of the vinegar along the grout lines.
6. Scrub the grout lines with the stiff scrub brush.
7. After scrubbing, let the mixture sit for about five minutes. Then, scrub it again with the brush.
8. Wipe off the excess vinegar mixture with a sponge. Allow the floor to dry. It could take about 45 minutes.
9. (OPTIONAL) If that doesn’t work, try gently scraping the top layer of the grout with a grout knife. They’re meant for removing grout, so do this carefully.
10. Apply the grout sealer along all the grout lines.
11. Allow the sealer to dry for 3-4 hours. Then apply a second coat.
12. Repeat this sealing process every year, especially for light colored grout.
Resources:
Tom’s homemade solution for cleaning grout included concentrated dish soap, baking soda, and white vinegar. These can found at most grocery and department stores.
Rather than using a toothbrush, Tom recommends using a cleaning brush [amzn.to/3akDSsw] with stronger bristles. They sell specialty grout cleaning brushes at most home centers in the Tile aisle. The one Tom used in the video is manufactured by QEP (www.qep.com/).
If the stains are really deep in the grout, Tom recommends using a grout removal tool and lightly scraping it against the grout to remove the layer of grout that’s been stained. Do this cautiously. The grout removal tool Tom used [amzn.to/2VwokfS] in the video is also manufactured by QEP (www.qep.com/ ).
Once the grout is clean, Tom suggests that sealing the grout once per year will prevent it from staining again. Tom used a TileLab Grout Sealer [amzn.to/2ylHJrE], which is manufactured by Custom Building Products (www.custombuildingproducts.com/) and can be found at most home centers.
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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada.
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How to Clean Dirty Grout with Homemade Cleaner | Ask This Old House
/ thisoldhouse

[@drymoonproperties]

I am a professional carpenter and home and office remodeler. I have always enjoyed ask this old house they never use gimmicks or tricks just true professional people and I happily admit I have learned a few things myself and I am a multi generation carpenter and business owner. My hope is many many people truly do appreciate these people and their efforts to help people.

[@normanmcintosh396]

It brings a ray of sunshine to my heart knowing Ask this old house is still around.

[@jordanxfile]

Yes, it certainly does 🤗

[@rogerhegemier8491]

Yes iv been watching their Show for 30+ Years, and these Guys are the Best, i felt So Bad when Frank Ferrante passed of a Heart Attack. i wish them all the best !!

[@extremesteamcarpet]

I agree. I love the show. It feels great

[@B-ch6uk]

Is this you Norm? Just kidding.

[@user-wv6tc9xk9m]

I have not seen This Old House for many years. I was just searching for a safe way to clean the grout on my bathroom floor when I came across this video. Not only was it just what I wanted, but I also had the unexpected pleasure of seeing Mr. Silva! I always loved to hear his gentle voice and observe his calm manner. He seems to exude kindness and is a model gentleman. I had no idea that grout needs to be sealed. I'll be doing that, too. Thank you!

[@dougpeters1625]

Tom Silva, Voice of comfort, reason, experience, and wisdom!

[@user-wv6tc9xk9m]

so true!

[@Peter-976]

I use this recipe on my false teeth all the time. Works like a charm and the ladies are so impressed.

[@vlcobb1]

But do you seal it at least once a year after cleaning?

[@B-ch6uk]

Ladies? You mean cats?

[@joebee2370]

U go!

[@charlottehall6769]

🤣

[@badr....]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@normanmcintosh396]

I am glad the team is still going strong. I grew up with This Old House. Best wishes to Tom Silva teaching America how to do it right

[@Louis-zc7vd]

Teaching the world!

[@rinaboebina]

This was an awesome video! I learned so much in under 5 mins. Like, I had no idea that the grout should be sealed about once/year. I also wouldn't have known about multiple coats, wait times, or that a simple brush applicator bottle of sealer was available at the home store. Seriously, thank you so much! I feel so much more confident in taking care of it myself!

[@Hallowsaw]

If you use a ceremic sealant you can do it once every 3 years.

[@CitizenTurtleIsland]

I put on a sealant last year when I had some new flooring installed. I think I need to do it 2x/yr. I still have some grime in there that stained the grout. (My first mistake was to pick a very light grout.)

[@sharonpopolow6874]

I know, my parents never did this and I never hear anyone talk about it. I doubt many people know that outside the tile industry.

[@nitawilliams9726]

What the name of the sealer?

[@pejoly2]

I miss you guys.Been watching since I was a kid way before all this new DIY stuff. You are still the best.

[@M-.-Jones]

I tried this and it does seem to work. It’s worth mentioning, After you’ve scrubbed it and wiped up the excess it may actually look dirtier until the spot completely dries. Once dried it should look much cleaner.

[@supremelawfirm]

Tommy, If there were a whole lot more professionals like you, this world would be a MUCH better place! Keep up the good work. /s/ Paul (born in Worcester, Massachusetts)

[@jonoubeh]

This was so helpful. I had been dreading cleaning the grout in my bathroom thinking it would be a nightmare. This made it so easy! Thank you!

[@sk3ffingtonai]

You guys ROCK!!! I applied the process on my kitchen floor grout lines, and the floor looks like new. Everyone that has done home improvement for any length of time knows to pick one project at a time and then crush that project - perfection. This philosophy helps keep the budget intact and the focus where it belongs. This grout process works so well, when I took a break, the cleaned grout was so awesome and obvious, it was easy to know where I left off.

[@sandrasears3981]

Baking soda, distilled white vinegar and dish soap are the three main components I use to clean most surfaces in my home. Cheap, nontoxic and effective.

[@Shawnpee3496]

Can it be used on charcoal grout and black penny tiles?

[@dfresh1524]

It used to be more common to do this and i forgot about it until now. Seeing how cheap and effective it is i might start doing the same. It did a great job cleaning the tiles too

[@susanhartnett680]

What is the proportion?

[@nostillno-hp5em]

@@Shawnpee3496 why would you ask a random person on youtube whether a cleaning technique would work on your specific grout and tiles? how is she supposed to know what would work for your home???

[@Notturnoir]

Yes keep a bottle of 1/2 dishsosp (like bonners) & half vinegar.

[@TinekeWilliams]

Works a treat, been using it for 50 odd years and my grout looks great!

[@Fldavestone]

As a 40 year tile pro i would add to let the mixture sit on the grout a few minutes before and after scrubbing.Flood the area with water and remove it with a wetvac first.Then a wet sponge.It will be much cleaner getting the dirt completely off the grout.As far as sealing, allow the sealer to dwell on the joint a minute to be absorbed and reapply if it is absorbed ,wipe off excess over the entire tile with a dry rag .And reseal if grout darkens when wet.You won't necessarily need to reseal every year unless you clean grout often.

[@tburda823]

Hello from the past, lol, your advice seems very sound, would it hurt to seal every year no matter what? I struggle with maintenance tasks like this if I don't have a routine schedule setup. (Furnace filter, smoke detector batteries, gutter cleaning etc...) thanks

[@dannusmk1578]

Fidavestone THANK YOU!

[@cindymeyer8564]

Have always ❤️ This Old House. Great qualities, knowledgeable, skilled & handsome.

[@lisas2538]

I tried this and I worked great. I’m so impressed. Thank you!!

[@dmcfarlane6482]

Used this method to clean kitchen tile grout and the difference so far is amazing. Thank you. And now I know to seal annually.

[@JunaidKhan-pq8ji]

I've watched a lot of videos about cleaning dirty grout and this one is the best.

[@FireEater]

Love this old house they started it all been watching for 30+ years

[@gwendunnaway9473]

I am so glad the guys fromTOH are still working & giving all us dyis great tips .

[@blasta42]

Love the shopping list and detailed instructions in the comments!!!

[@Yuri-iv1mt]

Worked great for my tile, thank you very much for the advice! Best wishes to This Old House!

[@williamsimpson2303]

This is my favorite show. These guys are the best!

[@dheerajg5253]

Thank you so much both of you - sir and madam. You not only explained it easily, but also given step by step written text to refer it.. Lots of love and blessings to you both

[@charris721]

Love the men of This Old House. They can do anything!

[@smurfiennes]

I’ve never heard about the sealer, thanks for the info

[@karlafaudoa5170]

This process is very effective! We used it at our house and it made the floor look like new. Thank you

[@mrdyatlov1809]

seeing Tom in the this ild house house is the best thing ever

[@mrdyatlov1809]

old *

[@EzekielsCall]

I had no idea it was that easy to clean or to seal it. I used one of those grout pens to make mine white, and had no idea how to seal it, and as soon as I washed my floor with a sponge mop, all the grime went right into those grout lines.... so the grout pen didn't really do much, because the grime was just going right on top of it. Thank you for showing us how it's done!

[@bettyhouk8727]

Happy you are using Dawn dish soap ,been using this product ❤️since it first came on the market ! It is the best 👍👍👍

[@chrisdinunno1107]

This worked like a charm, didn’t even add dish soap and it cleaned up to look brand new! Thanks!

[@emilyhansen8192]

Does it work on tile showers?

[@skloie]

how did I not know about this?! worked like a charm!

[@Khanumayr]

Super easy to understand and everything one has at home to clean it. Thank you for the simple tutorial for my project next weekend.

[@hamidassous6730]

Great video. I wen to home depot and bought the items you need to do the job. What a difference. I haven't cleaned my kitchen tiles in many years. I would recommend this process. It works! Thansk you!

[@pallhe]

One of the more satisfying videos to watch on the interweb.

[@PatPat-nc2ig]

Tom silva the handsome man with the soft spoken voice and kind face always good shows tom

[@symondstusker]

I love ATOH. I have learned a lot I wish I could work with them and learn the things like pro. Keep up the good work. Younis from Kashmir

[@luluwinke6581]

Today is May 17, 2020. I am letting you know that this is working; bleach and water never did, but this is the bomb. I think that the vinegar is the m.uscle here with baking soda. So happy

[@gracitaestepa2395]

Thank you that's what I need to clean the grout

[@justkay713]

This Old House saves the day again

[@lydia5684]

I have same tiles. and my bathroom is small like hers. I did a small section and oh my goodness like new. Love people and their hacks!!!

[@helend222]

Thank you. Your tips have saved me $$$$.

[@atrain818]

Worked good for me. Thanks Tom

[@alethan5355]

love DYI stuff for saving money thanks for the upload

[@evitamelara]

This is the best method ever! Thank you so much. I wish I can post a photo.

[@kartkan]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@jenniferbringman9054]

LoveThis Old House and gang!

[@weaponizedmemes3461]

1:15 - LOL she pours the vinegar on the clean grout. Good video though. Thanks for the tips.

[@TheSlipperyNoodle]

You know your house is in house is in order when you have Tom Silva come over any the only thing for him to do is help clean the grout ;)

[@conqwiztadore2213]

Master carpenter baby!

[@kickflipaws]

Love Tom..

[@shawnpa]

We all do.

[@kimberlycamacho8604]

@@kickflipaws wax pen

[@Brichanise.Nicole]

Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth,Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved

[@GregCameron2008]

Great tip. Gonna try this

[@rickjohnson1632]

Nice job Tom 👍

[@danigirl271171]

This worked brilliantly 😊 Thank you 🙏

[@stockstudy8633]

thanks for showing your great tips!!!

[@jeanneocampo7164]

Worked perfectly. Thank you! Wish I could post a picture.

[@ellieco9174]

Brilliant advice!! Thanks from uk

[@MelanieElaineH]

Excellent. Thank you so much!

[@susanbrizek1692]

Tawm is da best!!! Love it!!

[@joannabuchanan3287]

❤ watching This Old House.

[@carlosmoran2869]

Home Depot has a neat sealer applicator bottle with a small wheel on the end works really good to apply cleaning solution and sealer on grout

[@dennisl.7613]

I’ve used a steam cleaner on grout but this cleaning method looks great

[@ninazaverl4600]

Thanks I will surely try this remedy!👍🏼

[@poet2772]

Thanks…I will definitely try this.

[@garymccloskeyjr.6265]

This is solid and thank you! I've been struggling with cleaners and for my colored grout and nothing works. Going to try this and get some sealer on there ASAP!

[@reck0n3r]

Did it work?

[@reck0n3r]

Okay, so i tried this a few weeks ago on our place while we were doing our renos, and I did it WITHOUT the soap - just vinegar and baking soda - and it turned out great. I would have done it for the rest of the floor but we were pressed for time, and I noticed some areas had almost NO grout remaining, so they stayed a bit dirty. We ended up going a different route, entirely due to lack of time, but if I even had an extra day or two to do it - for 400sq ft of tile, there's no question I would have. So to those wondering about more testimonies, it definitely works, don't necessarily require the dishsoap, but if you have harder to remove stains I could see it helping - depending on how much tile grout you're trying to clean, be sure to give yourself enough time. It's very easy and straightforward.

[@lauramorgan2003]

Awesome I miss you guys I’d love watching you guys a long time a go on television you guys are for real yeah

[@craigschlie3756]

Grout is an alkali, vinegar is an acid. The application of the acid dissolves some of the grout. Baking soda is a buffer and neutralizes the acid; dish detergent is a surfactant. The surfactant breaks down surface tension facilitating the removal of the water and debris released when a small amount of grout is dissolved.

[@lauracain588]

Wow! What he said! 😂

[@lauracain588]

I actually thought he was gonna do it for her! 😂

[@xrisbeast9151]

@@lauracain588 Lol

[@elishadanieljoseph8583]

Thank you for this!!

[@lizzybbizzy6447]

Exactly, I was hoping I would find this comment Bleach is bad too because it’s alkaline and it doses something to the grout too Ph neutral floor cleaner is best

[@mbailey1026]

This was phenomenal! You made it look so easy! Thank you :-)

[@pbenson56fran]

Just found this in my watch later list. Thank you I got the ingredients.

[@melissanielsen8215]

Thankyou just love it

[@waterfall_rb7324]

Love it! Thank you very much.

[@neeluoed4464]

That’s amazing! Will be trying this out.

[@2julsofmine]

Use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. It's much easier with fabulous results.

[@emmalund7859]

This was the perfect video for me! Thank you! :D

[@ATAHUALPA867]

This works . Thanks guys.

[@awesomeniecy9242]

Will try that👍

[@ca6177]

Good tips!

[@judyr.2398]

Tommy Silva! What a nice surprise to see this video. I have total trust in his abilities..And he's still such a cutie. The guy just doesn't age.

[@readingmaniac54]

I have the exact tile floor with white grout. My grout came out great.

[@karend.9218]

Not for nothing but her husband who chose light grout should be responsible for its cleaning and maintenance. Good to know the upkeep can be done with good results. This Old House to the rescue.

[@gl3605]

Light grout was the correct choice. Tom even said a dark grout would have made it look busy. The husband shouldn't be punished for making the correct decision.

[@crystaloracle8711]

Ok Karen.

[@CaptAmerica12]

Thank You

[@angelareimer5260]

Thank you

[@vallang4832]

I just tried this to clean my tile grout in front of our front door. Worked like a charm. Thank you and it’s non toxic which I love the most.

[@Ash-nx5rx]

This is the channel I never knew I needed until I found it!! What a great man, intelligent way of filming to educate in a memorable way 🙏😇

[@crabbyhayes1076]

I have done what Mr. Silva recommends over the years, and it has worked OK. However, I find the dirt and grime will eventually leach out, and the stains reappear. In order to do a better job, I use my Dupray Neat steamer. Imho, it does a much better job of deep cleaning. It does take a bit of time initially, but after that touch-up is easy.

[@MimisQuest]

Could not have come at a better time. Was using bleach yesterday to clean my grout and nearly passed out. Never heard of grout sealer. More online shopping from the hardware store 😀

[@wendyrenoux8967]

I can’t add a photo but it definitely works!! Now to find the best sealer!

[@sabecapote6484]

What a nice man. I miss my grandpa

[@kiwdwks]

Love your videos! Always learn something. Thank you.

[@johnshams6921]

Resourceful solution

[@geoffreybreasley9845]

Your UNBELIEVABLE WOW

[@tonyg5012]

This application makes a " pain in the neck " job much more manageable .... Thanks

[@jamic6351]

Subscriber to the magazine since its inception. I pass the magazine on to others as well. This video illustrates why. It’s the technique.....simple household items, no need to buy fancy, you have it already in your cupboard. Something tells me the grout brush shown is going to fly off the store shelves.

[@feleciaa1]

Wow didn’t know you had to use the sealer every year. 😊 Going to try this mixture.

[@nuitgoddess]

Love This Old House! I used peroxide instead of vinegar and premixed it with the baking soda and the dishwashing liquid drops into a paste. I did have to do it twice. It worked but next time will definitely try the vinegar. [Dollar Store sells peroxide cheap]. Thanks!

[@sheryllake2703]

I bought peroxide at Walmart .56 Dollar store is $1.25

[@susanthompson8213]

I use straight peroxide on a small section, cover the wet area with a small towel and leave it for 24 hours. When you pull off the towel, voila!

[@HAMRADIOJOE4178]

PRETTY COOL

[@Simplyluvly]

Wow, brilliant. It's cheap and easy. I have to clean the dirty grout in my home soon.

[@reesea365]

I love this! Did not know you are supposed to re-seal your grout once a year?!

[@frankiepezzolla]

Yup, this way it doesn’t absorb dirt and stains

[@emmsue1053]

Grout sealer!! Who knew? Thank you.

[@warnerb]

I use a long handled grout brush and you can spray the cleaner on the grout from standing. Both this cleaning solution looks effective.

[@glennsankey8186]

I use toothpaste and a bristle brush and elbow grease. Looks awesome when finished.

[@1105pitbull]

Just watched video that suggested Gel toilet bowl cleaner that worked beautifully and not as messy. Bead it on the grout, let it set for 15 min and wipe up.