Approved Guide
How to Clean Grout with Vinegar for a Sparkling Finish
Over time, the grout between your tiles can shift from a crisp white to a dull brown or grey due to moisture and foot traffic. How to clean grout with vinegar is a common question for homeowners looking for a chemical-free alternative to harsh commercial cleaners. By leveraging the acidity of white vinegar and the abrasive power of baking soda, you can lift stains and kill mildew without damaging your home's air quality.
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Part
1
Using Vinegar Alone
1
Apply vinegar to the grout.
Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a spray bottle filled with vinegar to coat the grout you wish to get clean. If you are trying to clean grout on a vertical surface, a spray bottle is probably your best bet.
- Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a spray bottle filled with vinegar to coat the grout you wish to get clean.
- If you are trying to clean grout on a vertical surface, a spray bottle is probably your best bet.
- Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a spray bottle filled with vinegar to coat the grout you wish to get clean.
- If you are trying to clean grout on a vertical surface, a spray bottle is probably your best bet.
- Use a vinegar-soaked cloth or a spray bottle filled with vinegar to coat the grout you wish to get clean.
Part
2
Using Baking Soda Paste
1
Make a baking soda paste.
Combine about two tablespoons of baking soda with about one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water. The mixture should not be too thin. If it sloshes about in the bowl you mixed it in, add some more baking soda to help it achieve a more paste-like texture. It also shouldn't be too thick. If the mixture is thick and dry, and doesn't adhere well to the fork or spoon you use to mix it, add some water to thin it out.
- Combine about two tablespoons of baking soda with about one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of water.
- The mixture should not be too thin.
- If it sloshes about in the bowl you mixed it in, add some more baking soda to help it achieve a more paste-like texture.
- It also shouldn't be too thick.
- If the mixture is thick and dry, and doesn't adhere well to the fork or spoon you use to mix it, add some water to thin it out.
2
Mix water and vinegar.
In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio. For instance, you might combine 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) vinegar with 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) water.
- In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio.
- For instance, you might combine 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) vinegar with 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) water.
- In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio.
- For instance, you might combine 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) vinegar with 1.5 cups (354 milliliters) water.
- In a spray bottle, combine water and vinegar in a one-to-one ratio.
3
Spray the mixture onto the paste.
Point the nozzle of the spray bottle toward the baking soda paste you've smeared along the grout. Squeeze the handle of the bottle. Repeat as necessary until all of the paste has bubbled up somewhat.
- Point the nozzle of the spray bottle toward the baking soda paste you've smeared along the grout.
- Squeeze the handle of the bottle.
- Repeat as necessary until all of the paste has bubbled up somewhat.
- Point the nozzle of the spray bottle toward the baking soda paste you've smeared along the grout.
- Squeeze the handle of the bottle.
4
Wipe the grout.
Once you've loosened the grime and grit along your grout, it should wipe away with ease. Take a damp rag or paper towel and wipe it along the grout you've cleaned. Wipe the area along the edges of the grout, too, to soak up any of the lingering water/vinegar.
- Once you've loosened the grime and grit along your grout, it should wipe away with ease.
- Take a damp rag or paper towel and wipe it along the grout you've cleaned.
- Wipe the area along the edges of the grout, too, to soak up any of the lingering water/vinegar.
- Once you've loosened the grime and grit along your grout, it should wipe away with ease.
- Take a damp rag or paper towel and wipe it along the grout you've cleaned.
Warnings
- Never use vinegar on natural stone tiles such as marble, limestone, or granite, as the acid can etch and permanently damage the stone.
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