This method is the most effective method I have found to whiten tile and grout, without the use of harsh chemicals or chlorine bleach.

Keeping our white tile countertops clean has been a learning experience over the past couple years. Our kitchen countertops have that traditional 1980s white tile and grout that has, until this point, seemed impossible to keep white.

All kinds of fine particles get stuck and trapped in the grout lines, leaving behind what appears to be dirty countertops.

I have tried all kinds of things, toothbrush cleaning, enzymes, lemon juice, Thieves concentrate, and nothing quite seemed to work. I suppose the other alternative would have been bleach, but using a chlorine or ammonia based chemical on my countertops isn’t an option.

I discovered a solution that is the combination of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. After a little time and a little bit of brush work, our title countertops cleaned up nicely.

I haven’t ever seen our countertops look this clean. I suppose I could have taken hours of toothbrush scrubbing or harsh chemicals to create this too, but really who wants to scrub for hours or use harsh chemicals.

How does it work?

The combination of vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide is not only effective, but affordable too. The acidity in the vinegar helps breakdown sticky buildup trapped in the grout. The baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps remove buildup and stains on the title. Finally, hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial, antiviral, anti fungal, and bleaching properties. This is why it makes a great solution for the white tile.

When baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mix together, they create what we typically call oxygen bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is also great to use in your laundry or to clean other surfaces in your home that you want to disinfect, like toilets.

Whiten tile countertops

What you will need –
– A glass bowl
– White Vinegar in a spray bottle (you can use this recipe to make rosemary infused vinegar spray)
– Baking Soda
– Hydrogen Peroxide
– A clean brush for scrubbing

Instructions
1. With a rag, wipe down your countertops to remove any surface crumbs. Then generously spray the countertop area with your vinegar cleaner or 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

2. Let the vinegar sit on the countertops for 5 minutes, while you mix up the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

3. Mix 2 parts of baking soda with 1 part of hydrogen peroxide in a glass bowl. Your mixture should form a paste. If it is too watery, add more baking soda. If it is too thick and won’t mix, add more hydrogen peroxide.

4. Smear the paste on the tile using your fingertips or a brush. Make sure you rub the paste in to the grout lines on your tile.

5. Let your paste sit for 30 – 60 minutes. When you are ready, begin to scrub the tile and grout using a clean scrub brush.

6. Using warm water on a rag, wipe away the baking soda paste and grime. I like to do this a couple times to make sure I have all of the paste removed.

You should be left with white tile and grout lines when you are done. If your tile grout is really dirty and stained, this may take a couple attempts to fully whiten the grout. Also if your grout is missing, you may have to scrub harder to get your dirt and grime to lift out.

NOTE: Test the grout cleaner in an hidden area to make sure it does not discolor your grout before you use it, especially if you have dark colored or epoxy grout. Do not use this combination on stone tile or counters.