5 Effective Ways To Clean Grout That Has Turned Black

Many times it happened when homeowners find that their room tiles turn black. If you encounter that your bathroom or kitchen tile’s grout turns black then it’s time to think about cleaning it in the right way. 

There are many reasons behind this happening. Most homeowners remember to clean tile floors but forget about cleaning the grout and with passes of time the grout between the tiles joint discolored and changed from white to black. 

There are many effective methods to clean grout that has turned black such as using vinegar, oxygen bleach, homemade grout cleaner, steam cleaner, etc. Let’s talk about them in detail. 

In this article, we are going to share some natural and safe ways to clean grout that has turned black from white, and will also discuss why you should avoid using a toilet cleaner to clean grout.

So without further ados.

Let’s get started…

5 Working Methods To Clean Grout That Has Turned Black (Naturally)

As a homeowner, we spend countless times and effort to keep our homes looking better, but we don’t take much attention to the grout. If you use regular cleaner to clean grout then it can damage it and cause some serious issues. 

In this section, we discuss some natural ways to clean grout that has turned black and will try to keep it fresh and white again. 

Method 1: Use Home-Made Grout Cleaner

If you don’t want to buy a grout cleaner then you can make homemade grout cleaner by following the below method.

Tools & Materials

• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Baking soda
• Dish Washer Soap
• Warm Water
• A Scrub Brush Or A Silicon Scrub Hand Gloves
• A Dry Cloth For Cleaning

Step 1: First, we have to clean dust from the grout, for this take warm water and a dry cloth to clean over the grout. 

Step 2: Now, we have to make our homemade grout cleaner, for this take a glass bottle and pour hydrogen peroxide( 1/4 cup), Baking soda (1/2 cup), and 1 tablespoon of dishwasher soap. Stir them with a spoon to make a solution. 

Step 3: Now apply this solution on the grout surface using a spoon.

Step 4: Leave the grout surface for 5 to 10 minutes, after applying the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwasher soap solution. At this time the solution penetrates the grout and removes stick dust and dirt from the grout.

Step 5: Stubborn oil and grease particles require brushing or scrubbing. Removing oil and grease stains from the grout is important because it is the main cause of your grout turning black from white. 

For this, you can either use a scrub or silicon hand gloves to rub over the grout surface. 

Step 6: After scrubbing, clean the excess grout cleaner from the grout using a dry cloth.

Step 7: At last, mop the tile floor for thorough cleaning.

Also Read: Discolored Grout Around Toilet [Solved]

Method 2: Use Vinegar

Vinegar is an aqueous solution of acetic acid and is very effective to clean white grout that turns black.

Tools And Materials

• Plastic Spray bottle
• Warm Water 
• White Vinegar

Step 1: Take a plastic bottle and add Vinegar (haft part) and warm water (Half part) and make a solution of these two elements. 

Step 2: Now close the spray lid and spray this solution over the grout. Vinegar will clean stubborn mildew, dirt, and grime from the grout effectively. 

Step 3: Leave the surface for a few minutes.

Step 4: Now take a brush and rub over the grout hard so that the rest of the dirt gets cleaned and also the grout turns white from black. 

Step 5: Mop the tile floor for thorough cleaning. 

Note: Don’t apply vinegar over the grout that has no sealant. 

Also Read: 6 Easy Ways To Remove Shower Drain Cover That Is Grouted In

Method 3: Use Oxygen Bleach 

Oxygen bleach is a natural substance and free from harsh chemicals. This is an environment-friendly solution to clean the grout if it turns black. 

Tools and Materials:

• Oxygen Bleach
• Safety Hand Gloves
• Scrub or Brush

Step 1: First, wear safety hand gloves, and ensure the room must be properly ventilated before applying oxygen bleach on the grout of that room. 

Step 2: Now take an oxygen bleach bottle and apply it over the grout directly through its bottle. 

Step 3: Leave the surface for 5 to 10 minutes so that it penetrates the grout and removes all the dust and tougher stain from the grout and makes it white from the dark.

Step 4: Now scrub the grout surface and clean it with a dry cloth. 

Step 5: Mop the tile floor for thorough cleaning.  

Note: Don’t apply the oxygen bleach in the room where there is no proper ventilation. It produces fumes that cause irritation in your body’s sensitive areas. 

Method 4: Use Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner is a very effective method to clean grout and make it whiten if it turns dark. This is an eco-friendly, toxic-free method to clean the grout of your kitchen, bathroom, and anywhere else. 

Step 1: Steam cleaner comes with a steamer box, you have to open its top lid and pour some water in it. 

Step 2: Now press its ON switch so that it starts to make steam for cleaning. 

Step 3: When the switch color turns green from red, it means steam is prepared and you are ready to use the steam cleaner. 

Step 4: Steam cleaner comes with some attachments such as a small bristle brush, a long pipe attachment, a mop attachment, etc.

Use a small bristle attachment to clean the grout knee and hand down. Just rub over the grout surface and it will clean the accumulated dirt from the grout. 

Use a long pipe attachment if you want to clean the grout standing. This is helpful for aged people and pregnant ladies. 

Step 5: After cleaning the grout by using the above-mentioned attachment, it’s time to clean the excess dust that comes out from the grout and spread over the tiles. For this use a mop attachment and move over the tile surface to clean it. 

You are all done.

Method 5: Use Alkaline Cleaner(Washing Soda)

The accumulation of oil and grease on the surface of grout is also a big reason for grout turning black from white. Oil and grease attract dust and dirt and hold them tightly and also discolor the grout. 

You can use a Washing soda-based Alkaline cleaner to clean grout.

Step 1: First, make a solution by mixing 1/2 cup of washing soda with 4 liters of warm water. Stir gently so that washing soda dissolves in water completely. 

Step 2: Apply the solution on the grout and leave it for 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 3: Now take a scrub or a toothbrush and rub it hard on the grout surface. 

Step 4: At the end, mop the surface to clean it thoroughly. 

Why Does Grout Turn Black From White?

There are many reasons  why grout between the tiles turns black, some are listed below:

Reason 1: Oil And Grease Accumulation

This is the main reason for the grout turning black. Oil is present in soap, shampoo, and other cosmetic items which accumulate on the grout. Oil and grease don’t clean easily, and also attract dirt and grime and make the grout color back, and dull. 

Reason 2: Improper Cleaning

The second major reason behind the discoloring of grout is improper cleaning. Many homeowners clean the floor, mop it, and sweep it, but forget about the grout. Such a kind of ignorance causes grout turns black. 

Conclusion

If your grout becomes dull and black due to the accumulation of dust, dirt, and grime then I have mentioned 5 natural and safe ways to clean grout that has turned black from white. These methods are safe for grout and don’t damage it. 

I personally like using a steam cleaner to clean grout, this is an effective and chemical-free method that turns black grout white and clean.

FAQ