How to Clean Tile Grout in Shower Naturally
A clean shower is a happy shower! But keeping tile grout sparkling white can be a challenge. Over time, soap scum, mildew, and dirt build up, leaving your grout looking dingy and discolored. While harsh chemical cleaners can be effective, they can also be damaging to your tiles and harmful to your health.
Here's a guide to naturally cleaning your shower grout:
1. Gather Your Supplies
You'll need:
- Baking Soda: A natural abrasive that helps scrub away dirt and grime.
- White Vinegar: A powerful natural cleaner that cuts through soap scum and mildew.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: A mild bleach alternative that disinfects and brightens.
- Warm Water: For mixing solutions and rinsing.
- Old Toothbrush: For scrubbing grout lines.
- Microfiber Cloth: For wiping away residue.
- Optional: Essential Oils (like Tea Tree or Lemon) for a fresh scent.
2. Prepare the Shower
- Remove any loose items: Clear out your shower caddy, shampoo bottles, and any other accessories.
- Pre-soak: If the grout is heavily soiled, consider pre-soaking with warm water to loosen up dirt.
3. Create Your Cleaning Solution
You have a few options:
- Baking Soda Paste: Mix baking soda with a little water to form a paste.
- Vinegar Solution: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide Mix: Combine equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.
- Super Cleaning Paste: For stubborn stains, combine baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Caution: This mixture can fizz, so work in a well-ventilated area.
4. Apply and Scrub
- Apply the solution to the grout lines: Use an old toothbrush to apply the cleaning solution to the grout lines, working it in thoroughly.
- Scrub: Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, then scrub the grout lines vigorously with your toothbrush.
- Rinse: Rinse the grout thoroughly with warm water, removing all residue.
5. Repeat as Needed
- For heavily soiled grout, you may need to repeat the cleaning process.
- If the stains are particularly stubborn, you can try a slightly stronger solution or leave the cleaner on for longer.
6. Dry and Protect
- Dry: Wipe down the shower with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
- Protect: For long-lasting results, apply a grout sealer after cleaning. This helps to prevent dirt and grime from penetrating the grout.
Tips and Tricks
- Wear gloves: Protecting your hands is important, especially when using vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
- Ventilate: Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling strong fumes.
- Test a small area: Before applying any solution to the entire shower, test it in a small inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn't damage your tiles.
- Maintenance: For best results, clean your shower grout regularly to prevent dirt buildup.
By using natural cleaning methods, you can keep your shower grout sparkling clean and free of harmful chemicals. Enjoy your sparkling, fresh shower!
