Grout Restorer

How to complete Grout Restorer

Grout traps soap scum, mildew, and grease that dull it to a gray or brown shade over years. Bringing a section back to its original light color is oddly satisfying and instantly makes the whole room look cleaner without retiling anything.

1. Mix a thick paste of baking soda and water, or use a dedicated grout cleaner, and work in one small section at a time
2. Spread it into the grout lines and let it sit 10-15 minutes so it can break down buildup
3. Scrub along the lines with a stiff nylon or grout brush (an old toothbrush works for corners), pressing into the groove not just across the surface
4. For stubborn mildew, spray diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 4 parts water) with the room ventilated, wait a few minutes, then scrub again
5. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry so dirty residue doesn't settle back in

Tips

• Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia - the fumes are dangerous; pick one and ventilate
• If grout stays stained after scrubbing, a grout pen or fresh sealer restores color and protects it going forward
• Test bleach on a hidden spot first - it can lighten colored grout

What counts as done

The grout lines are visibly back to a uniform light color across the section, with no dark mildew streaks remaining.