Can You Use Bleach On Grout? (YES! Here’s How)

Due to how difficult it is to clean tile grout, it is no surprise that homeowners tend to choose the easiest way out, but then again, is using bleach on grout safe? Can you use bleach on grout?

Well, using bleach to clean tile grout isn’t particularly harmful but isn’t exactly safe. Bleach might get the cleaning job done in a jiffy but may cause you and your home greater damage over time! 

Cleaning your tile and grout with bleach is one of those things that not everyone recommends, but everybody does anyway. Do you know why? Yes, you guessed right! Because it is the easiest way out.

When using bleach to clean your grout, you need to do it the right way and ensure to use the right kind of bleach. 

Here’s how to clean tile grout with bleach and get it looking like new again.

How To Clean Tile Grout With Bleach 

You’ll need:

• Regular-bleach
• Water
• Electric toothbrush
• Rubber gloves
• Rags
• Plastic cup or bucket

Directions:

Step 1: Clean the floor

First, give your tile floor a good pre-cleaning by sweeping or scrubbing with a firm but soft-bristled brush to remove every debris and dirt.

You will need the area to be clean before you begin working with the bleach.

Step 2: Create the cleaning mixture

To create the cleaning mixture, dilute about three parts bleach to seven parts water in an old plastic container. 

Combine the solution properly, and you are ready to begin scrubbing. To prevent the risk of over-exposure to chemicals and bleach fumes, work in a well-ventilated area.

Step 3: Get an old toothbrush

With an old electric toothbrush saturated with the bleach solution, you can also use a regular toothbrush, although an electric toothbrush will get the job done faster. 

But remember that once a toothbrush has been used for cleaning grout, it should only be used for such cleaning. 

Switching out the head of the electric toothbrush does not make it suitable for brushing your teeth as it is now full of bleach and dirt, and you definitely don’t want such an item anywhere near your mouth.

Step 4: Scrub the grout

For this cleaning process, you will need to get on your knees and scrub every inch of your grout to get it looking brand new again. 

Don’t forget to gear up, you know, gloves and the sort.

Once you have successfully scrubbed your grout, use a clean white rag to wipe away excess bleach and water. 

Using a white rag helps to prevent any color from transferring into the grout as you clean!

Step 5: Wipe the floor

Finally, with a mixture of water and floor cleaner, give your floor another wipe down. 

Remove all of the bleach from the tile with the mixture as leaving bleach on the grout for too long can cause damage, and the grout eats away over time. 

This doesn’t mean you should flood the floor with water or anything, instead give it a thorough rinsing when you are done scrubbing. 

Will Bleach Damage Ceramic Tile?

Bleach is not needed to achieve a spotless ceramic tile, but it helps. 

This, however, comes at a cost as bleach causes discoloration of the tile as well as the grout over time.

Keep in mind thatbleach fumes are toxic to inhale, so ensure to wear old clothing and gloves and adequately ventilate your work area before using bleach. 

If you’re going to be squatting down to scrub the floor and have your face close to the bleach while you work, you should wear a face mask and safety glasses. 

This is especially important if you have suffered respiratory problems.

Conclusion: Can You Use Bleach On Grout?

Using bleach on the grout to remove discoloration or stains isn’t totally advisable. Still, after trying other cleaning methods without achieving desired results, you can use bleach but ensure to adhere to proper safety precautions.