Last Updated on September 6, 2023
No need to dread cleaning your shower’s black grout. Cleaning black grout in the shower doesn’t have to be a chore if you know what techniques to use.
There are a variety of methods available depending on your preferences, from baking soda and vinegar solutions to borax and lemon oil. Oxygen bleach is another option that may be worth considering for those tough stains or areas where milder products aren’t getting the job done.
With the right approach, not only can you have your shower looking like new again, but you also save yourself time and money along the way. Get ready for smart, cost-efficient methods that can give you a sparkling and refreshed bathroom. Stay tuned, all the essential info is coming right up.
How to Clean Black Grout In Shower: DIY Steps
Step 1: Make the Cleaning Paste
Making a cleaning paste with baking soda is an effective way to clean black grout in your shower. To make this paste, take two tablespoons of baking soda and add enough water to form a thick paste.
The thickness of the paste should be similar to that of toothpaste so as not to run off the grout when applied. This paste will act as an abrasive agent which helps to scrub and remove dirt, stains, and mildew from the grimy shower grout lines.
Step 2: Apply the Paste to the Grout
Once you’ve made your cleaning paste, apply it to the black mold in the grout line. Dip a clean toothbrush or grout brush into the paste, then use this tool to scrub the grout lines.
For best results, it is suggested that you use a new toothbrush with hard bristles, as this will help ensure scrubbing action is maximized and mildew can be effectively removed from all corners of the tile grout line.
When scrubbing, remember to use circular motions rather than back-and-forth strokes for optimal cleaning power. Ensure that you apply enough pressure onto each spot on the grout line so as not to leave any dirt or stains behind.
Step 3: Make Vinegar and Water Mixer
The next step in cleaning black grout in your shower involves preparing a half-and-half mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Since vinegar has natural cleaning properties that are great for cutting through soap scum, it is highly recommended that you include it in your cleaning routine.
As such, fill up your spray bottle halfway with white vinegar before topping it off with water. Once done, let this mixture bubble for about half an hour before using it on the tiles below.
Step 4: Apply the Vinegar and Water Solution
After allowing your vinegar solution adequate time to work its magic, you can now spray it onto your black grout lines and then again scrub these areas with either a toothbrush or grouting brush.
The acidity of vinegar combined with additional scrubbing will help clear away any remaining dirt or mildew from these areas more easily than baking soda alone.
Do take extra caution when dealing with more sensitive tile surfaces such as marble or limestone so that they do not become damaged by any harsher chemicals present in vinegar solutions over extended periods of time
Step 5: Rinse the Area and Dry
Once you have completed both steps mentioned above (baking soda + water paste application followed by vinegar + water solution application), rinse down all affected surfaces thoroughly with clean water until all traces of cleaner have been removed completely from these tiled surfaces.
Once done, simply let everything dry naturally before admiring how much brighter your bathroom looks now.
Clean the Black Grout in Shower With Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
If the baking soda and vinegar duo isn’t doing it for you, give hydrogen peroxide a try. Here’s how to use this powerhouse cleaning agent:
Step 1: Mix Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is a simple but powerful way to clean black grout. To make a paste, mix two parts baking soda with one part hydrogen peroxide.
When mixed properly, this combination can help to remove tough stuff from the grout effectively. It’s essential to be careful when using hydrogen peroxide as it is caustic and may cause skin or eye irritation, so gloves should be worn at all times.
Step 2: Start Scrubbing
Once you have made the paste, it’s time to start scrubbing. Use an old toothbrush to apply the paste directly onto the grout.
Start by making small circular motions and move up and down along the entire surface of the grout line while applying pressure as needed.
Repeat this process until all of the filth has been removed from the grout line. If necessary, you can add more hydrogen peroxide for extra cleaning power.
Step 3: Rinse and Dry
After you are finished scrubbing, it’s essential to rinse off any excess paste before drying off the surface of your shower with a soft cloth or towel.
Using warm water will help to ensure that all residue has been removed from your grout lines so that they remain clean for longer periods.
Once dry, inspect your work for any remaining dirt or debris that may have gotten trapped in between tiles or crevices during the cleaning process. If found, repeat steps 1 & 2 until satisfied with the results.
Try Borax And Lemon Oil – Another Effective Way to Clean Shower Grout
Besides using the vinegar and baking soda or the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide method discussed above, another effective way to eliminate black grout is with a borax and lemon oil mixture.
Using borax, lemon oil, and liquid soap, you can create a paste that will help to loosen dirt and grime from the grout. To start the process, mix together 1/4 cup (63 g) of borax and 1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) of lemon oil in a small bowl. Then, add enough liquid soap to make a paste.
Once the paste has been prepared, use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub it into the grout. Make sure to focus on any areas where filth buildup has accumulated so that these spots are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
When you are finished scrubbing, rinse away the paste with warm water. This will help remove any remaining residue from the surface of your tiles and help keep them looking their best for longer.
It is important to note that more stubborn stains may require additional scrubbing or repeated applications of the borax-lemon oil mixture before they come out completely.
With regular cleaning using this method, you should be able to maintain your shower’s appearance over time and avoid having to resort to harsher solutions or professional services.
While this mixture is safe enough for most surfaces around your home, it is always wise to spot test in an inconspicuous area before applying it elsewhere just in case there are any adverse reactions with specific materials or finishes used in your bathroom fixtures or tilework.
Give Steam Cleaning a Try
Using a steam cleaner to get rid of black grout is another great way to refresh the look of your bathroom, and it can be done quickly and easily.
Before beginning, you’ll need to make sure your steam cleaner is properly outfitted with a thin and pointed nozzle, as well as a brush attachment if your unit has one.
Once outfitted, turn on the steam cleaner and give it around 8 minutes to heat up. Smaller units will only take a couple of minutes before they are ready for use.
When cleaning grout lines with steam cleaning, start by aiming the nozzle at the grout lines and applying continuous steaming pressure.
Follow the grout lines with the steamer as you work from one end of the shower wall to another. This will help ensure that each area of the shower is thoroughly cleaned.
You can also use a brush attachment for tougher areas or spots where there is more debris stuck in between tiles or grout lines. Be sure not to hold the nozzle over any one spot for too long to avoid damaging any tiles or sealant used in the area.
Once you have finished cleaning all the grout lines in your shower, you can turn off your steamer and let it cool completely before safely storing it.
Clean Black Grout With Oxygen Bleach (Sodium Percarbonate)
You can also clean grout in a shower with oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach, also known as sodium percarbonate, is a compound of hydrogen peroxide and soda crystals.
It is highly effective at lifting filth and discoloration from grout in showers. For best results, it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing with water according to concentration levels for optimal cleaning power.
Once mixed with water and applied directly onto the affected grout lines, it should be allowed to sit for up to an hour before scrubbing and rinsing with water.
To ensure safety when using this product, it’s important to make sure that you’re using it in a well-ventilated area and that you are wearing gloves at all times. This will help protect your skin from any possible irritation or burns that could occur due to contact with oxygen bleach.
How Do I Keep Shower Grout from Getting Dirty Black?
To prevent shower grout from becoming dirty and blackened, it is important to take several steps. Spray the grout with a mold inhibitor two to three times a week after each bath or shower.
This can be done using a homemade solution of vinegar and water, tea tree oil and water, or hydrogen peroxide mixed with water in a clean spray bottle.
Ensure that the grout is dried after each use to reduce the amount of moisture that can lead to mold growth.
Consider installing an exhaust fan in the bathroom to keep it dry or keeping the window open if an exhaust fan is not available. Seal the grout with an appropriate sealant for added protection against moisture and dirt buildup.
How Hot Does Steam Need to Be to Clean Black Shower Grout?
For cleaning blackened shower grout, steam must reach temperatures of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This will effectively remove any filth or stains that may have accumulated on the grout lines over time.
Professional machines can achieve such high temperatures. This can reduce the risk of damaging tiles or other surfaces within the bathroom due to their sensitivity when exposed to high temperatures.
Does Vinegar Discolor Shower Grout?
Vinegar has been known to discolor certain materials when left on them for too long or used improperly. When used as part of a cleaning solution for shower tile grouts, vinegar should not cause discoloration if it is rinsed off soon after application and not left on for extended periods of time.
It is still advised that caution should be taken when using vinegar as part of any DIY cleaning solution due to its acidic nature, which could potentially cause damage if used inappropriately or left on too long without being rinsed off properly.
Is It Safe to Mix Vinegar And Hydrogen Peroxide Together When Cleaning Shower Grout?
You should not combine vinegar and hydrogen peroxide when cleaning your shower grouts. Mixing these two things together could create a combination that is unstable and could cause damage instead of cleaning surfaces effectively.
It is also important to note that both substances are quite powerful in terms of their chemical composition, so care must be taken when using either product alone before considering blending them together into one solution.
Revive Your Shower’s Grout
Now that you know how to clean black grout in the shower, we hope that you feel more confident tackling this task. With multiple options available, from baking soda mixtures to oxygen bleach, there is sure to be a solution that works best for you.
Also, you can use grout cleaner and whitener to restore your shower’s grout. It won’t take long for your shower grout to look like new again with a little patience and hard work. So don’t put off cleaning any longer. Grab those cleaners and get started today.
