Give new life to dirty tile with this simple grout cleaner.

Dirty grout is often the one thing standing between dingy-looking tile and tile that really pops.

Knowing how to clean groutespecially white groutis essential for floors, walls, and counters to look sparkly clean.

For stubborn mold and mildew stains, a goodmold removerlike RMR-86 can do the trick.

There are also plenty of effectivetile and grout cleanersto choose from.

Run a squeegee over the tile after every shower to remove excess water.

This daily maintenance will help prevent mold and soap scum buildup, making theshower tile look cleanand fresh.

Here’s what you should probably do.

Giving the cleaner time to work into the pores will result in cleaner and brighter-looking grout.

You should see the grout beginning to return to its original color.

Sealers fill the pores of the grout, keeping dirt and grime out.

Before applying the sealer, wait at least 24 hours to check that the grout is completely dry.

If your grout lines are clean but still stained, consider tracing over them with a grout pen.

Water damage is a real possibility when the space between your tiles is unprotected.

When using bleach, verify it is very diluted and that the area is well-ventilated.

A better, natural solution for whitening grout is to use cream of tartar and lemon juice.

Remove hard water stains by using the method above and letting the paste sit for longer.

If natural methods aren’t working, find a product specifically for hard water build-up, like CLR.