How To Clean Black Grout. What the pros say

Cleaning grout can be a laborious task. It can take hours to clean all those tiny spaces between tiles, especially because removing the disgusting mold sometimes seems impossible. So, what are some possible solutions for cleaning black grout?

To clean black grout, mix water and white vinegar. Then rub the solution on the grout using a toothbrush and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. You can also use a mixture of water, baking soda and dish detergent. But don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide excessively as they cause discoloration. 

In this article, I’ll discuss some of the easiest and most useful ways to clean black grout. The best thing about this list is that many people already have most of the ingredients and products lying around their homes. 

Make a Solution Using Water and White Vinegar

This is probably one of the easiest ways to remove mold and harmful minerals from your black grout. The solution doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare, and it can be really effective.

Most importantly, it is completely safe and won’t discolor the grout, unlike some other stronger chemical products. 

Always use an equal amount of water and white vinegar to make the most effective solution. After you combine water and white vinegar, mix it with an old toothbrush or a smaller brush with more rigid bristles. 

Once you pour the solution over the grout, rub it with the toothbrush and leave it for a few minutes. Then clean the solution with water and a sponge.

Make a Paste Using Water and Baking Soda

This is another quick and easy option to clean your black grout. Like the previous solution, it’s completely safe, and it won’t discolor dark grouts. Plus, it’s super cheap. 

All you need to do is to sprinkle a small amount of baking soda to cover the grout. Then, pour a small amount of water over the baking soda, take your old toothbrush and start rubbing the grout. 

Another option is to keep water in a glass or small container and dip the toothbrush into the water before rubbing the baking soda and grout. 

When you finish rubbing your grout, take a sponge and clean everything with water. 

Use Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda in Small Amounts

If you have black grout, be careful when using hydrogen peroxide as hydrogen peroxide has the same effect as bleach. Hydrogen peroxide and harsh cleaners damage the protective coat on your tiles, allowing bacteria to slowly build up and cause stains that ruin the aesthetics of your home. 

If you use bleach or hydrogen peroxide in larger quantities, the color of your dark grouts will become lighter. 

To avoid discoloring your grout but still want to get rid of mold, you can use hydrogen peroxide in small amounts. It’s also best to use it only once to remove all the fungi from the grout.

However, hydrogen peroxide is much safer than bleach since it doesn’t have harmful side effects for humans. Bleach can be quite dangerous even if you’re not touching it. That’s because you’re inhaling the chlorine gas from the bleach, which can make you light-headed. 

On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide is eco-friendly and is regularly used in hospitals to disinfect medical equipment and furniture. 

Just make sure to use a tiny amount of hydrogen peroxide with some baking soda. Once you apply the mixture to the grout, use an old toothbrush to rub all the mold from your grout. After that, use a sponge with some water to clean the mixture and dirt.

Make Water, Baking Soda, and Dish Detergent Solution

This is another solution that uses baking soda as an ingredient. Baking soda is an amazing option for cleaning grout because of its anti-fungal components, which means mold is cleaned more successfully with baking soda. 

Fill half a glass with water and add a small amount of baking soda. Stir the mixture with a teaspoon. Then add a tiny amount of dish detergent and stir the mixture again. 

You can pour the solution over the grout and start rubbing it with an old toothbrush. Leave the solution to slowly dissolve the mold from your grout for at least half an hour. Then, grab a sponge and some water and clean your tiles. 

Buy the Right Grout Cleaners

Sometimes, the best option is just to go and buy a grout cleaner. But, you need to be careful what grout cleaners to use. If you have black grout in your house, some cleaners won’t help you. In fact, they could even discolor dark grouts, depending on the solution they use.

If you’re buying grout cleaners, always read the instructions on the bottle or simply ask for advice at the store. 

Always follow the instructions and measurements before cleaning the grouts. 

● Always Use Grout Sealers To Protect the Grout After Cleaning

It’s not enough to clean your grouts and leave them like that. After some time, the mold and dust will accumulate again. 

You should always finish cleaning your black grout by applying grout sealers. This will protect your grout from the mold and keep it less porous. 

Applying grout sealers can be a slow process, but you shouldn’t avoid it. Grout sealers usually come with a small brush, so you just need to take some time and go over the dried grout with the brush. 

Conclusion

Cleaning grout is a tedious task that we all need to go through. Black grout is sometimes even more difficult to deal with since using some effective solutions, such as bleach, can discolor and ruin the beautiful dark color. 

In most cases, baking soda combined with water or dish detergent will do a marvelous job. For those that don’t want to make pastes and solutions on their own, buying a grout cleaner is the safest option. 

Whatever solution you choose to use from this list, always remember to finish the process with a grout sealer to protect the grout.