How to Deep Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout — Toronto Home Guide

Bathroom tile grout stains and discolours from a combination of soap scum, body oils, hard water minerals, and mould — the conditions in a shower or around a bathtub are ideal for all of these. Regular cleaning prevents buildup; deep cleaning restores grout that has been neglected. Here's the right approach for each.

Identify What's Causing the Discolouration

Different causes require different approaches:

• Soap scum — white or grey haze, often with a filmy texture. Caused by soap residue combining with hard water minerals. Responds well to acidic cleaners (vinegar, citric acid).
• Mould — black or dark spots, often in the corners, along the bottom of the shower, and in the grout lines. Requires a chlorine-based cleaner to kill the mould spores, not just remove the visible staining.
• Mildew — pink or orange discolouration (Serratia marcescens bacteria is the common cause of pink residue in bathrooms). Responds to disinfectant cleaners.
• General dirt and discolouration — yellowed or greyed grout from general use. Often requires mechanical scrubbing in combination with cleaning product.

Tools You'll Need

• A stiff-bristle grout brush (narrow brush shaped for grout lines) — the most important tool for grout cleaning
• An old toothbrush for corners and edges
• Spray bottle
• Rubber gloves
• Microfibre cloths

Cleaning Soap Scum and General Discolouration

Baking soda paste method:

1. Mix baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste
2. Apply to grout lines with a brush or old toothbrush
3. Spray with white vinegar — this creates a fizzing reaction that helps lift residue
4. Allow to sit for 5–10 minutes
5. Scrub vigorously with the grout brush, working in small sections
6. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry

Cleaning Mould from Grout

Vinegar and baking soda don't kill mould — they may remove visible mould but won't kill the spores beneath. For mould, use a chlorine-based cleaner:

Bleach pen or gel method (most effective):

1. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated — open the window or run the exhaust fan
2. Apply a small amount of household bleach diluted with water (1:10 bleach to water) or a commercial grout mould remover directly to the mouldy grout
3. Allow to dwell for 10–15 minutes
4. Scrub with the grout brush
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water

Bleach pens (available at Canadian Tire) allow precise application to grout lines without saturating the tile surface.

Cleaning Tiles (Not Just Grout)

Ceramic and porcelain tiles are easy to clean — most standard bathroom cleaners work well. For stubborn soap scum on tiles: spray with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution, allow to dwell for 5 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. For textured tiles that hold soap residue: use a soft-bristle brush rather than a cloth.

Avoid abrasive cleaners (scrubbing powders with abrasive particles) on ceramic and porcelain tile — they can scratch the glaze over time. Natural stone tiles (marble, travertine, limestone) must not be cleaned with any acid (vinegar, citrus cleaners) — use only pH-neutral stone cleaners.

After Cleaning: Seal the Grout

Unsealed grout absorbs moisture and stains more readily. After a thorough deep clean, applying a grout sealer (brush-on liquid from a hardware store) significantly slows future discolouration. Apply when the grout is completely dry, let cure per the product instructions, and reseal every 1–2 years.

Grout scrubbing is included in Maidless's Toronto deep cleaning service. Book a deep clean — HST included.