If You Dread Cleaning Grout… You’re Not Alone
If you’re anything like me, grout cleaning is one of those chores you put off as long as possible. Oh grout, why can’t you just stay clean? But today I finally tackled it — and after experimenting with a few homemade cleaners, I found a simple DIY grout cleaner that worked amazingly well, even on light gray grout and even with our tricky well water.
If you’re looking for an affordable, non-toxic, and highly effective grout cleaner, this homemade mix might become your new go-to.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Baking Soda — https://amzn.to/3VHPkIE
- Hydrogen Peroxide — https://amzn.to/4nUpBIZ
- Dawn Dish Soap — https://amzn.to/3IIJEuY
These simple household ingredients combine to create a powerful paste that lifts discoloration, yellowing, and light staining from grout.
DIY Homemade Grout Cleaner Recipe
After several trial runs, this is the formula that worked best on our bathroom grout:
Ingredients & Ratio
- ¼ cup Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon Hydrogen Peroxide
- 1 tablespoon Dawn Dish Soap
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl to form a thick paste.

How to Clean Grout Using This Homemade Mix
1. Apply the Paste
Use a finger, small brush, or old toothbrush to spread the paste directly onto your grout lines.
2. Let It Sit
Allow the mixture to sit 20 minutes.
If your grout is heavily stained or darker, you may want to leave it on a bit longer.
3. Wipe and Rinse
Wipe away the paste with a clean towel or sponge.
After removing the majority, dampen your towel and wipe again to remove any residue or leftover discoloration.

The Results
This homemade grout cleaner did a fantastic job removing the yellow discoloration from our grout. (Our bathroom tile naturally has aged brown edges, but the yellowing on the grout itself was what needed help.)
The Dawn scent was light and pleasant — much better than the harsh chemical smell of traditional cleaners. And best of all, it worked wonderfully even with our well water, which usually makes cleaning a little more challenging.
Next up: I’ll be testing this DIY grout cleaner on my kitchen tile grout and hoping for similar results!
Good luck — and happy cleaning!
