How to Remove Stains from Floor Tile and Grout

The best way to have stain-free tile is to prevent stains in the first place. Real life isn't that simple, but a little planning prevents a lot of them. Start by making sure tile and grout that need it are sealed with a good penetrating sealer when they're installed.

Ventilation matters too, especially in Florida. Run the bathroom fan during and after showers, keep air moving with ceiling fans, and if your home stays humid, a dehumidifier helps stop mold and mildew before they start.

A tip on cleaners: always start with the mildest cleaner and work up. A cleaner that's too strong can permanently damage the tile surface or the grout.

Regular cleaning of tile and stone floors

How often depends on foot traffic, kids, pets, and how much beach sand comes home with them.

Do:

Sweep or vacuum first to remove sand, dust and crumbs; grit scratches.
Wipe with clean warm water. For lightly soiled ceramic and porcelain, water alone is enough.
Use a flat mop instead of a sponge mop, so you don't push dirty water into the grout lines.
For a deeper clean, use a pH-neutral or mildly alkaline cleaner made for tile and grout.
Use plastic or nylon scrubbers on tough spots.
Rinse with clean water to remove cleaner residue, which attracts dirt and dulls the floor.
Dry with a microfiber cloth or dry mop, or let it air dry.

Don't:

Use acidic cleaners, including vinegar, on grout or natural stone.
Use oil- or wax-based cleaners; the residue attracts dirt.
Use steel wool or abrasive scrubbers.

Deep cleaning and disinfecting porcelain

The best cleaners for porcelain are the ones made for tile and grout. Porcelain doesn't need harsh chemicals, but if you do need to disinfect, it won't be dulled or damaged the way some other surfaces can be. Check the EPA's list of disinfectants for the right product, follow the label, and rinse well afterward.

Deep cleaning grout

Deep clean: scrub the grout with a grout brush (or an old toothbrush) and a tile and grout cleaner. A wet-dry vacuum is great for lifting the dirty water. Rinse with clean water and vacuum again.
Stubborn stains: a steam cleaner forces the stain to the surface so you can scrub it away.

Types of tile and grout cleaners

Alkaline (pH above 7)
Acidic (pH below 7)
Neutral (pH 7)

When water alone won't do it, use a neutral cleaner first, then a mild alkaline one if needed. Never use an acidic cleaner on cement grout.

Common stains on natural stone

Biological: mildew, mold, algae
Organic: coffee, tea, fruit juice, wine
Oil-based: grease, cooking oil, food
Ink: markers, pens
Metal: rust, copper, bronze

Poultices

A poultice is an absorbent powder mixed with a liquid that draws a stain out of the stone. Diatomaceous earth and clays such as kaolin and fuller's earth work well. Never use clay poultices on rust stains.

Identify the stain first

The right chemical depends on what caused the stain. If you don't know, look at its color, shape and location for clues. For natural stone, stone care professionals commonly recommend:

Coffee, tea and food: poultice with hydrogen peroxide
Copper: poultice with ammonium chloride
Ink: poultice with mineral spirits
Rust: a commercial rust remover made for stone (polished marble may need re-polishing afterward)
Oil: poultice with ammonia
Oil-based paint: poultice with mineral spirits
Water-based paint: a commercial paint remover

Always test in a hidden spot first, follow the product label, and ventilate the room.

Conclusion

The next time you find a stain and nobody will own up to it, don't panic. Start mild, identify the stain, and work up from there. If grout is cracked, crumbling or permanently stained, a grout refresh may be the easier fix.

Want more tips? Get our free eBook, How to Properly Care for Your Tile.

Sources: Microban, Stone Forensics, Why Tile