Skip to content 
Dirty, grimy grout is a common frustration in many households. And with the internet overflowing with cleaning hacks, it can be hard to know which ones actually work.
To save you the trial and error, I put three popular grout cleaning methods to the test in my own home — and I’m here to share exactly what worked (and what didn’t).
If your tile grout could use some serious refreshing, keep reading. Here’s what I discovered…
What I Tested
I chose three common and widely recommended grout-cleaning methods:
Fresh Lemon Juice
OxiClean
Sulfamic Acid Cleaner (available at most home improvement stores)
Safety first! Before starting, I opened a window for ventilation and put on rubber gloves to protect my skin. I also recommend doing a patch test in a hidden corner before using any cleaner, especially if your tile is delicate or natural stone.
Note: My grout is gray, so even when clean, it won’t appear white — but the change in brightness and cleanliness was still very noticeable.
Method 1: Fresh Lemon Juice
I sliced a lemon and rubbed it directly into the grout lines, letting the natural citric acid go to work. I followed up by scrubbing with a green Scotch-Brite pad.
Results:
Immediate improvement in surface dirt