Best Tile Grout Cleaner (Homemade)

Wondering how to clean those stubborn grout lines? This 3-ingredient grout cleaner is the answer — it’s safe, effective, and easy to use.

What is grout cleaner?

Grout cleaner is a cleaner that’s formulated to target and clean the lines between each piece of tile (also known as the grout!) that happen to really trap dirt and filth.

While mopping your floors goes a long way in cleaning them, it doesn’t clean stubborn grout lines, and the process for cleaning these grout lines is, unfortunately, a little bit more strenuous and involved than mopping. The cleaning products used for grout (versus mopping) are also a little bit more heavy-duty. The good news is that, unlike mopping, cleaning your grout really doesn’t need to be on your weekly cleaning list — doing this every month (or even every other month) is great.

How does your DIY grout cleaner vary from a popular store bought brand?

While definitely effective, store-bought grout cleaners tend to be really, really harsh (which is *why* they’re so effective). This homemade, safer grout cleaner, on the other hand, utilizes ingredients like Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and hydrogen peroxide to create a powerful, effective, safer option.

What is the active ingredient in homemade grout cleaner?

Branch Basics Oxygen Boost is the main ingredient here — it’s free of bleach, ammonia fragrances, dyes, and harmful preservatives, is plant and mineral-based, and is incredibly effective when it comes to stain-fighting and brightening. Though I’m using it here as a grout cleaner, it can also be used in a number of different ways, including as a really effective, safer laundry stain remover.

Is homemade grout cleaner toxic?

This one isn’t! With ingredients like Oxygen Boost and hydrogen peroxide, this is a grout cleaner that you can feel really good about. 

Ingredients Needed to Make the Best Grout Cleaner

You’ll need 3 ingredients here (one of which is water!) — here’s everything you’ll need:

• Oxygen Boost – to start, you’ll need enough Oxygen Boost to sprinkle over your grout lines.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – in addition to the Oxygen Boost, you’ll also need 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide that you’ll add to a sprayer bottle.
• Water – in addition to the hydrogen peroxide, you’ll also need 1 cup of water in the sprayer bottle.

How to Make the Best Homemade Grout Cleaner

The only “making” you’ll need to do is combine the hydrogen peroxide and water in a sprayer bottle to have ready to spray on the grout on top of your sprinkle of Oxygen Boost. That’s it!

How to Use Tile Grout Cleaner

The process here is super simple. Here’s how you’ll clean those stubborn grout lines:

1. Combine the hydrogen peroxide and water in a sprayer bottle – if you haven’t already, combine the water and hydrogen peroxide in a sprayer bottle and shake to combine.
2. Sprinkle Oxygen Boost – to start, you’ll want to sprinkle a small amount of Oxygen Boost on each grout line that you’re planning on cleaning.
3. Spray – once sprinkled with Oxygen Boost, spray the hydrogen peroxide and water mixture to wet grout lines.
4. Scrub – scrub your grout lines with a small brush (an old toothbrush works GREAT here) until clean.
5. Wipe clean – once your grout is scrubbed clean, wipe it clean with a damp washcloth until most of the Oxygen Boost is wiped off.
6. Mop – once a good section of your grout is done, go ahead and mop the floor to help get any grime that is on the tile off too.
7. Sweep – because the Oxygen Boost is difficult to get off of the floor completely with a washcloth, let your mopped floors dry and then sweep (or vacuum!) the floor to get any of the extra Oxygen Boost off.

How to Store Your DIY Grout Cleaner

Your sprayer bottle of hydrogen peroxide and water can be stored under the sink (or wherever you keep your cleaning products). The same can be said about the Oxygen Boost itself: store it wherever you keep the rest of your cleaning products!

How many uses is this homemade grout cleaner good for?

Good question! The Oxygen Boost itself comes in a 33 fluid ounce container, so if all you’re using it for is grout, it’ll last you quite a while. As for the hydrogen-peroxide-water-mixture, the same applies — if you’re only using it for the occasional grout cleaning (this isn’t one of those things that needs to necessarily be on your weekly cleaning list), it’ll last you for a good while.

How long does tile grout cleaner stay fresh?

Another good Q! None of the ingredients here are at a real risk for expiring or “going bad” before they’re used (the expiration date, which you can find on each of the product containers, will let you know exact timelines), so don’t worry about that at all. If you are worried about your container of Oxygen Boost going bad, use it for more than just grout — throw a scoop in with each load of laundry you do, use it as a stain-fighter, etc.

More Safer Home Cleaner Articles

• Homemade All Purpose Cleaner
• Best Homemade Glass Cleaner
• Homemade Floor Cleaner
• Homemade Bathroom Cleaner
• Best Homemade Dog Shampoo
• Safer Laundry Stain Remover

If you’re interested in cleaning up more of your cleanup (it’s easy, cost-effective, and actually works, I promise!), use code FEDANDFIT for 15% off of a Branch Basics Starter Kit.