The dirt of decades often collects in the grout lines of floor tiles. But even the darkest grout lines can usually be made bright white again with home remedies.

In many households, cleaning the floor tiles is on the cleaning schedule once a week or every two weeks. While the tiles can usually be cleaned wonderfully with conventional cleaning agents, the grout lines are a different matter. But with the right home remedies, even these hard-to-clean places will soon look like new again.

Home remedies for cleaning the joints of floor tiles – baking soda and vinegar essence

The problem: grout lines are slightly deeper than concrete tiles and, depending on the grout used, are also slightly rough, which makes it easy for dirt to get stuck in them during cleaning. Usually, the dirt is then only noticed when the joints are already deep brown to black. To restore them to their former glory, however, a few tried-and-tested household remedies are all that is needed: vinegar essence and baking soda. And this is how it works:

  • Sprinkle baking soda or baking powder over the joints and spray the whole thing with vinegar essence. (Liquid citric acid is also suitable as an alternative to vinegar).
  • Let the whole thing soak in for a few minutes.
  • For stubborn stains, it is best to scrub the joints additionally with an old toothbrush.
  • Then wipe the joints with a damp cloth – done.

Loosen stubborn grout dirt with a wire brush

If all the scrubbing is useless and the dirt has already penetrated too deeply into the joints, it is recommended as a last resort to carefully remove the surface of the joints with a small, soft wire brush from the hardware store. This also works with a fine sandpaper.

Caution: Do not use vinegar or citric acid on acid-sensitive natural stone.

Before you get started right away, however, be sure to consider the material of the floor tiles: For acid-sensitive natural stone such as limestone or marble, please refrain from treating with citric acid and vinegar or vinegar essence. This could damage the surface of the tiles. Care should also be taken with non-impregnated porcelain stoneware tiles. If in doubt, it is better to ask a tile specialist.