Brandon here 👋

When was the last time you actually looked at your shower and bathroom grout? Not a quick glance. I mean a full, lights-on, close inspection. 😅 If your grout is giving off “A Grunge Vibe?” like soap scum, grime, maybe a little mystery mildew. 

Or; If you start wondering “Is my grout the same color as when we moved in?” 

You are at the right place!

Good News! Cleaning bathroom tile and grout doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or a full-body workout! I got you! Let’s Go! 👇

After close inspection, if your shower or bathroom is sitting at a respectable 1–3 on the messometer, keep it easy.

This is my go-to:

That’s it! Spray it on, give it a good scrub, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes. This gives the needed time to break down soap scum and body oils, the real culprits behind that dull, grimy look.

Final Step: rinse and dry everything really well.

Why do I love this method?

Pro tip: If you’ve got tile with a glossy finish, wipe with a dry microfiber cloth and buff everything out. No streaks. No water spots. Just wipe off, shine on!

If you don’t already own a drill brush scrubber, consider this your official notice. It’s a total game-changer for everyday cleaning. Faster results, less elbow grease, and way easier on your body. Once you use one, there’s no going back.

When grout hasn’t been cleaned in a while and buildup is starting to show, it’s time to step things up. 

This is where I step it up with a DIY paste:

Mix it to a runny toothpaste consistency and scrub it into the grout lines with a toothbrush or nylon grout brush. Let it sit briefly, then rinse well.

Just remember: Baking soda requires extra rinsing. If you leave residue behind, it can dry hazy.

Pro Tip: Many times grout can look different wet verses when fully dry. I’ve scrubbed floors thinking they still looked awful, only to come back later and realize they looked amazing once dry. So sometimes, you’ve got to walk away and let it dry before judging the results.

If your grout is a full-blown disaster (mess level 7–10), Zep Grout Cleaner & Brightener is my heavy hitter. It’s strong, fast, and you can literally see it lifting grime.

Just a couple of rules:

I don’t recommend starting with this unless you need it but I always keep it in my cleaning kit.

Word of Caution: Always test cleaning products in a small inconspicuous area before you do the full floor clean. Why? Just to make certain that the product is giving you the result you want without any unexpected side effects or damage.

For surface mold on caulk, a gel cleaner like Sugelary Mold Cleaning Gel can help. If the mold has penetrated deeper, the only real fix is removing and re-caulking—no cleaner can undo that.

Steam cleaners are fantastic! They’re fast, chemical-free, and work great for many types of tile and grout! Here is the one I recommend.

Once everything is clean and completely dry, I highly recommend sealing your grout. You can watch my step by step video here!

Clean grout is gorgeous✨ keeping grout clean is a challenge. Tile and grout don’t need constant deep cleaning.

Here is your Action Plan this Week my Clean Freak Fam:

👉 Check your messometer level, pick one method, and knock it out!
👉 Start gentle, level up as needed!
👉 Want faster results? Add a drill brush to your cleaning kit.

Just remember my Fellow Clean Freaks:

Clean smarter not harder and let the shine speak for itself! 💚

💫Clean Freak of the Month:

Grant shared his experience of how a quick solution came through when he needed it most:

“My spot cleaner was a lifesaver! I was able to clean up dog puke from the carpet quickly, which saved me so much time… which is so important when I’m at home with a newborn. It made what could have been a stressful mess totally manageable.”

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Love these clean home weekly wins? Meet me in your inbox next week when we tackle the ‘Best Way to Clean Your Oven’!

Thanks so much for joining us at Clean Freak Weekly!

Brandon