If not cleaned properly, the grout lining between tiles can become a horrible discoloured brown and make a room look dirty, but do not fear—it is very easy to get it white again. 

Grout can be tricky to clean as it is extremely porous. Dirt, grime, or mould will seep deeply into the material and will not budge.  

It may seem obvious to try scrubbing grout to get the tiles clean again, but this will only remove the top layer of dirt, and any deeper stains will remain.

Instead, the cleaning experts at Tiles and Mosaics have shared that you can get grout white and clean it again quickly without having to spend money on a chemical product. 

They said: “One excellent aid is a substance you are bound to have in your home: sodium bicarbonate. Dissolve it in plenty of hot water and pour it onto the grouts.” 

Sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, is alkaline and can lift the acidic dirt or other common stains often found in tiles. 

What is fantastic about baking soda is that it is very absorbent, which means it is one of the best natural solutions for removing grease or soap suds from grout.

How to use baking soda to remove dirt from tile grout 

All you need to do is mix baking soda and water together until it forms a paste, then apply it between your tiles. 

Leave it for about 10 minutes to allow the paste to break down the stains. After the time is up, use a sponge to wash the tiles, and the dirt should easily come away. 

However, if the dirt is particularly stubborn, you can use an old toothbrush or scrubbing brush to clean the grout. 

When you are done, rinse the surface with lots of water and an ordinary antibacterial spray to remove any remaining baking soda residue. Your tiles should not be completely clean. 

What are some other natural methods to clean grout?

Another simple way to remove stains from tile grout is sodium percarbonate, also known as oxygen bleach which is made up of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda.

The expert said: “For white/light-coloured grouts, you can also use sodium percarbonate, an eco-friendly, non-pollutant bleach that will leave the grouts in your tiles whiter than white.”

Sodium percarbonate will break stains into smaller pieces so they can easily be removed and also loosen dirt buildup. 

Since it is a mild bleach, it will also kill bacteria and whiten grout, leaving your tiles completely spotless.

Put on gloves and pour the sodium percarbonate between your tiles. Leave it for at least 10 minutes, and then use a sponge to wipe it away. 

Your tiles should not only be clean but look brighter and completely restored.