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GuideClean tile with dingy, discoloured grout lines makes a whole bathroom or kitchen look dirty no matter how much you scrub the surface. Grout is porous and grabs dirt, soap scum and mildew — but with the right approach it comes back to life. Here's how to clean grout and tile properly and keep it that way.
Grout is porous, so it absorbs dirt, grease, soap scum, and in wet areas, mildew and mould. Over time this builds up and darkens the lines, and because it's below the tile surface, surface cleaning doesn't reach it. Unsealed or old grout gets dirty fastest — which is why sealing matters (more below).
For general grime, a baking-soda paste scrubbed into the lines with a stiff brush, then rinsed, works well. For tougher stains and mildew, a dedicated grout cleaner and a grout brush do the job. Let cleaners sit a few minutes to work before scrubbing. Steam cleaning is effective and chemical-free for both tile and grout.
Skip harsh acidic cleaners on natural stone tile (they etch and damage it), and avoid coloured or bleach-heavy products on coloured grout where they can discolour it. Don't use metal brushes that scratch tile. And test any strong cleaner in an inconspicuous spot first — especially on stone, which is far less forgiving than ceramic or porcelain.
Once grout is clean and dry, sealing it is the secret to keeping it that way — a sealer makes the porous grout resist dirt, moisture and stains so cleaning stays easy. Grout in wet areas should be resealed periodically (typically every year or two). Sealed grout is dramatically easier to maintain than unsealed.
For large areas, deeply stained or mildewed grout, natural stone that needs careful handling, or grout that's cracking and needs regrout, a pro with professional equipment (and the right products for your tile) gets a far better result and can reseal properly. It's also a common part of a deep clean.
On Genie, grout and tile cleaning is handled by vetted cleaning pros at an upfront price, as a standalone service or part of a deep clean, with payment held until you approve the result. Get the lines back to new — and sealed so they stay that way.
Every task in this guide is something you can book on Genie — vetted, insured pros at an upfront price:
For general grime, a baking-soda paste scrubbed in with a stiff brush and rinsed; for tougher stains and mildew, a dedicated grout cleaner and grout brush, or steam cleaning. Let cleaners sit a few minutes before scrubbing.
Seal it once it's clean and dry — a sealer makes porous grout resist dirt and moisture so cleaning stays easy. Reseal grout in wet areas every year or two.
Yes — avoid harsh acidic cleaners on natural stone (they etch it), bleach-heavy products on coloured grout, and metal brushes that scratch tile. Test strong cleaners in a hidden spot first.
