If you’ve been putting off cleaning your floor tile grout, you’re definitely not alone. Research from Yelp in the US has put it among the most hated chores, while our own reader survey found cleaning the bathroom was rated the worst household job – and there’s not doubt in our mind that discoloured or mouldy grout would be part of that.
Grimy grout is one of those chores that feels like it needs a whole afternoon and a lot of elbow grease, especially if the buildup is bad. But what if we told you it is possible to clean your floor tile grout with minimal scrubbing?
How to clean floor tile grout without scrubbing
While steam cleaning is the only truly scrub-free method, a few other techniques come very close. From powerful soaking solutions to low-effort hacks, these methods can lift dirt and stains without you getting down on your hands and knees.
Whether you’re tackling bathroom tiles or a tiled hallway, here are five easy ways to clean grout.
1. Steam cleaning (truly scrub-free)
If you’re looking for a method that requires cleaning floor tile grout without scrubbing, this is it. Steam cleaning loosens dirt, grime, and mildew using nothing but hot vapour. Just make sure the grout you are steam cleaning is sealed, and use a low-pressure steam cleaner.
What you need:
- Steam cleaner with a grout nozzle attachment
Instructions:
- Fill the steam cleaner with water.
- Slowly run the grout nozzle along the grout lines.
- Let the steam penetrate and loosen the grime.
Why it works: Steam penetrates porous grout and lifts dirt, eliminating the need for brushes, sprays, or scrubbing.
Our pick of steam cleaners for grout
Bissell Steam Shot
$109 at Amazon
Airelax Steam Cleaner
$69.99 at Amazon
Karcher SC1 Handheld Steam Cleaner
From $179 at The Good Guys
ApexOrigin Handheld Steam Cleaner
$123.99 at Amazon
2. Low-effort alternative: Oxygen bleach soak (Vanish Napisan Hack)
This viral grout-cleaning method is a close second to steam in terms of ease of use. Melbourne-based professional cleaner Rebekka Ladner swears by the readily available Vanish Napisan Gold Pro Stain Remover Powder – you could get a 1kg tub for $19 at Woolworths when we checked.
What you need:
- 2 scoops Vanish Napisan Gold Pro
- A bucket of warm water
- Grout broom or mop (optional)
Instructions:
- Mix powder with warm water in a bucket.
- Pour the solution directly onto your tiled floors.
- Let it soak for 10–20 minutes.
- Lightly rinse and mop. Optional: gently agitate with a broom.
Why it works: Oxygen bleach breaks down organic stains and lifts dirt with minimal effort.
Our pick of products for this grout cleaning hack
Vanish Napisan Gold Pro Stain Remover Powder 1kg
$19.99 at Woolworths
MR.SIGA Grout Scrub Brush
$27.99 at Amazon
3. Low-effort alternative: Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste
This simple DIY combo is effective with minimal elbow grease and minimal cost.
What you need:
- ½ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide
Instructions:
- Mix into a paste.
- Apply to grout lines.
- Let it sit for 15–30 minutes.
- Rinse off with a damp cloth.
Why it works: The bubbling action helps loosen dirt. You may need to wipe it away, but no hard scrubbing is required.
Our pick of products for this grout cleaning hack
Essentials Bicarbonate Soda/Baking Soda 500g
$2.45 at Woolworths
Sanofi Hydrogen Peroxide 200ml
$4.30 at Woolworths
4. Low-effort alternative: Vinegar and warm water spray
From experience, this method is likely to be the least effective on dirty tile grout. In saying that, it makes a great natural cleaner for regular use.
What you need:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part warm water
- Spray bottle
Instructions:
- Spray directly onto grout.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
- Wipe away with a damp mop or cloth.
Just remember that the acid in vinegar can damage stone floors; always check the care instructions for your type of floor.
Our pick of products for this grout cleaning hack
Essentials White Vinegar 2L
$1.85 at Woolworths
Sally’s Organics 16oz/473ml Glass Spray Bottles 2pk
$18.69 at Amazon
5. Low-effort alternative: Ready-made no-scrub grout sprays
Some off-the-shelf cleaning sprays are designed to lift grime with minimal effort, and one surprising solution comes from a viral TikTok video.
TikToker Azure MacCannell (@livecomposed) shared that she accidentally discovered that a degreaser from Healthier Home, typically used in the kitchen, works wonders on grout. In her video (which has racked up over 41.6 thousand views), she poured the degreaser onto her tiled floors, let it sit for one minute, then wiped it off with a mop – no scrubbing required.
Why it works: Most grout grime is made up of foot oils, skin cells, and dirt – precisely the kind of buildup degreasers are designed to break down. Some fast food workers even shared that degreaser is added to their mop buckets for this exact reason.
Important: Always spot test first, and avoid using it on waxed or natural stone tiles, as it may damage the surfaces over time.
Other popular options:
- Long Life Grout Cleaner: This ready-made scrub went viral after before-and-after pictures showed its effectiveness.
- Power scrubbers: Aussie TikToker @kokoisme86 racked up 6.6 million views for a video showing her cleaning floor tile grout with a Ryobi Cordless Telescopic Power Scrubber, which you can get at Bunnings or online at Amazon and eBay, among others. We also found a highly rated Kimeetol Electric Scrubber on Amazon, which one Australian customer described as “Fantastic! Tackles tough grime with ease.” in their 5-star review.
- Toothpaste: While toothpaste has been touted as a miracle grout cleaner on some parts of the internet, it may not be practical for large areas.
Why avoid scrubbing grout?
Grout is porous and prone to collecting dirt, grime, and stains. But while rigorous scrubbing will keep your grout looking nice and clean, it can also damage it or, worse, push the dirt deeper into the grout.
Instead of harsh scrubbing, most of these methods rely on soaking, oxygenation, or steam to lift dirt and stains. Many electric scrubbers also have a low setting that can help you avoid scrubbing and grout damage.
Pro tips to keep grout clean longer
- Seal your grout to prevent stains from setting in. Products like Dunlop Grout Sealer are readily available online and at hardware stores.
- Wipe down tiles after showers or mopping.
- Avoid bleach too often, as it can erode grout.
- Use a quality mop to reduce re-depositing dirt.
- If you’re renovating your bathroom, consider a darker grout colour to minimise visible dirt.
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