A Reddit user said patient, section-by-section work lifted grime from kitchen grout using an OxiClean paste, then rinsing with a mix of vinegar and hot water.
Here's what to know
On Reddit, the poster said they got good results by handling only a few square feet at a time from an old milk crate. Their process used OxiClean paste and a grout brush first, followed by a 50/50 rinse of vinegar and hot water, then a final rinse with plain water.
In an update, the poster said the mixture worked better in smaller batches because it hardened as it cooled.
They suggested keeping plenty of vinegar nearby since the rinse water got grimy fast and needed to be changed more than once. Asked how long the paste stayed on the grout, the poster said, "Just a few minutes, I didn't want it to dry out."
Because one finger was bandaged, the poster went without gloves during the job and later said the choice left their hands dry and itchy. "Lesson learned," they wrote.
More background
After finishing the kitchen, the poster said in the comments that about 600 square feet of tile still remained.
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A commenter said an earlier try with baking soda paste and dish soap had still left dark smudges behind and asked whether grout sealer helped keep the floor looking fresh.
The poster said sealing would take some planning because their cats cut through the kitchen to reach the litter box. They said they wanted to wait until the cats were at the vet, apply the sealer, then use paper or cardboard to keep them off the floor while it cured.
One commenter wrote, "The zep grout cleaner is a miracle worker. It comes with a brass brush. (At least mine did)," while another suggested renting a tile-and-grout cleaning machine from Home Depot instead of relying on chemicals.
What can be done?
For the method itself, the poster said they used about 1/2 cup of OxiClean with 1/4 cup of hot water, spread the paste with an old sponge, and covered only a couple of feet before going back over the area with the grout brush.
They said making only a little at a time kept the paste from turning into a hard mass if it sat too long. They also replaced dirty rinse water as needed and ended with a pass of clean water after the vinegar mixture.
Instead of starting with a specialty product, the poster relied in part on household vinegar already on hand. For more ideas, the TCD Guide's page on natural cleaning products offers other at-home options.
Where can I learn more?
If you're dealing with dingy grout and want a few more ideas, these stories may help. They cover bleach-free mixes, DIY scrubs, and simple methods people used to brighten tile lines.
• A cleaner used a no-bleach grout cleaning hack to give worn tiles a second life.
• On TikTok, one homeowner shared DIY grout cleaning tips that skipped harsh chemicals entirely.
• A self-described clean freak used a 2-ingredient solution to transform dark tile grout.
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