Cleaning Grout: Considerations for Sealed vs Unsealed

Grout cleaning is relatively easy if the grout is sealed, but there are a few different considerations for unsealed grout. Here are a few tips.

Cleaning Sealed Grout

This process may be accomplished with a commercial cleaning agent or a bleach and water solution. Allow the cleaning agent to sit on the grout for 10 minutes to kill all mold, mildew and germs. Scrub with a grout cleaner and wipe with a rag. Grout steam cleaners are an even better choice because they achieve the same effect without using harsh chemicals, and they also use less moisture.

Cleaning Unsealed Grout

Cleaning unsealed tile grout will be much more difficult because dirt and moisture easily settle into the grout without the protection of sealant. You can use a heavy duty liquid cleaning agent followed by a wet/dry vacuum to pull dirt and debris out of holes in the unsealed grout. In this case, try to find a cleaning agent with bleach to help kill mold, mildew and germs. A grout steam cleaner is likely a better solution for the same reasons listed above.

After cleaning the unsealed grout, you may need to use a grout colorant stain to remove the discolored appearance.  Follow the cleaning with a thorough sealing for future protection, and seal your grout once or twice a year as preventative maintenance.