Kitchen Tile Update + Grout Cleaning Hacks!
I don’t know how it’s possible, but we’ve had our new kitchen tile for SIX MONTHS now. That feels so crazy to even say because it feels like we just got this project done last week. I still walk in the kitchen some days and can’t believe we even did it in the first place! It was one of those wish list kinda projects that I honestly never thought we’d actually go through with. But we did and now six months later I thought it would be fun to share a little update on how I’m liking it. I also have two amazing grout cleaning hacks to share!
I gotta say, when I decided to go with this mosaic kitchen tile I was a tad bit nervous. I knew it was a bold choice and this kind of look definitely isn’t for everyone. But I felt like it could really work in our kitchen and give it the character it needed. Six months later and I’m so glad I decided to go for it. I still LOVE it and I haven’t regretted the decision for one second.
The one and only issue I’ve had with this kitchen tile is that it’s difficult to keep clean. That’s probably obvious considering it’s white, but it definitely requires more upkeep than I expected. I have to mop at least one a week and the white grout is very unforgiving. It’s a lot of work, and cleaning the grout it no fun, but it’s worth it for me!
GROUT CLEANING HACKS
Now let’s chat about some grout cleaning hacks I’ve discovered recently! Like I mentioned earlier, cleaning our white grout is definitely not my favorite thing to do. BUT I’ve found two great hacks that have helped speed up the process and leave my grout looking shiny and new!
MAGIC ERASERS
First is the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. These little sponges are truly magic workers when it comes to cleaning grout! I like to keep these on hand for spot cleaning–especially if the kids spill things like grape juice or spaghetti sauce. But they also work really well for harder to clean spots too. Highly recommend!
TOILET BOWL CLEANER
My second grout cleaning hack is toilet bowl cleaner. I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it really works! And it’s great for heavier stains or grout that is really dirty. I was AMAZED at how well it cleaned our grout and the best part is it only takes a few minutes. I put a small amount directly on the grout and let it sit about 60 seconds or so. Then I wipe it up with a soft sponge. It’s incredible! If you have dirty, stained grout you will definitely want to give this a try. I think it’s great to use maybe once or twice a month for a deep clean.
If you’re considering a similar tile for your own home I say go for it! It will add so much character and charm–you’ll love it. And definitely give those grout cleaning hacks a try too. I promise they work!
The Comments
Patricia
I love your kitchen floor! Thank you for telling us about the grout cleaning hacks. One thing I did with a light tile floor I had in a previous house is I scrubbed the grout in the high traffic areas with a toothbrush. I realize that no one would want to scrub an entire floor that way but it really helps if you have a particular area that is used more than others
DanYelle
❤️❤️ the tile! If you had to do it over again, would you consider a black grout opposed to the white for easier up keep or would you use white again ? Thanks
Cathy
> DanYelleI have the black grout and it is a nightmare to keep clean, I can’t get a haze off of it. So, FYI to all that think black grout would be easy. I would never do it again.
Julia
Love the kitchen!
I also purchased a couple of shirts you posted about from wal-mart- like them both- thanks!!
Leann
I love your kitchen! Another great grout cleaning tip that worked for me (for a deep clean) is vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Make a paste and let it sit for a while then wipe clean like you would the Clorox.
Jennifer
Love the tile! I have been wanting to do that in my home too but I’m not ready to commit to it just yet. I did see some peel and stick tiles from Home Depot that I may try in place of taking up our existing tile.
PS…definitely going to try the toilet bowl cleaner tip on our dirty grout, thanks for that handy tip!
Ann Davis
Did you seal the tile and grout? It does help a lot!
Sarah
> Ann DavisYes, we did have it sealed but unfortunately that didn’t seem to help much wit this white grout.
Carol Holtorf
Thank you for the tips. I put the Clorox Bleaching Gel on my grocery list. I don’t have white grout but all grout darkens when it gets dirty.
Sarah
> Carol HoltorfGive it a try and let me know how it works for you!!
Carolyn
Love your home! Thank you for inspiring me. Can I ask where you purchased the flowers and vase on your kitchen island ?
Sarah
> Carolynthose are old ones I found at Michael’s last summer!
Candy
Good Morning Sarah
I love your kitchen! The floors are amazing, I do wish that we could change our tiles like yours.
Thank you so much for the tips on cleaning the grout.
Mary
Love your tile! I have tile in my kitchen too, and my mop doesn’t do a good job getting into the grout to clean it. Just skimmed over the top. I was always tipping my mop on an angle to get down into it. I found a skinny grout brush on a long stick. It’s v shaped so it fits perfect into the grout. No more crawling around with a brush!
Maxine Harris
> MaryI have done the same thing. Used to get on my hands and knees and use old fashioned scrubbing brush.
Julie
> Maxine HarrisDoes this need to be followed up with a sealer of some kind? I’m concerned about the chemicals in the toilet bowl cleaner stripping the grout. Thank you.
Jayne Finkbohner
Thanks for that cleaning tidbit. Saves me time looking around for a great product. I don’t have much grout anymore to clean but when the little bit I do have I want looking clean and shiny.
Thanks again and your kitchen is beautiful!
Tammie
Love the look of your kitchen
Sarah
> Tammiethanks Tammie!
Crystal
I just read an article about toilet bowl cleaner not being good for porcelain tile, I would think it would be fine for concrete/cement tile, but I’d check with your tile company first. I sealed my tile and grout and that helped tremendously and as one reader pointed out, baking soda and vinegar worked fine for me. I love your tile and was thinking about doing it my laundry room, but at my age I don’t want to deal with constant cleaning, so I thank you for letting us know that the maintenance on your tile is higher than maybe on another pattern/kind/color.
Sarah
> CrystalWe did have it sealed but it still gets dirty so easy! And I tried the vinegar but that didn’t do much. I’ll try mixing it with baking soda to see if that helps! Thanks for the tip.
Kristen Massey
I love the tile! We’ll be remodeling our kitchen in the next couple years and I want something similar. I’m thinking a darker grout…maybe even black. I havent weighed the pros and cons, do you have any input on black/dark vs lighter grout?
Sarah
> Kristen MasseyI would have def chosen darker grout if it didn’t mess up the design we have with this mosaic tile. If you can find one you love that uses darker grout I would recommend going that direction!
Donna
I had white grout in a bathroom in a house we rented. I used the same toilet bowl cleaner, It does work and makes it a lot easier to clean. BUT I do not miss cleaning that floor. LOL!
Sarah
> Donnahaha I hear you, it’s so much work!
Heather Morgan
Thank you for sharing. We have a lighter tile with white grout and it looks so dirty. I will definitely be trying this soon!
Sarah
> Heather MorganYessss, try it. And let me know if it works for you!
Raele Ohana
This kitchen is not even my own MCM style, but it’s so incredibly beautiful, so subtle, peaceful, perfect, I would love to have it, anyway. Really well done, hats off to you!
Raven
You have great taste…your home is beautiful…I love the bookcase unit beneath your tv as well as the woods and the rest of the house…thank you for the grout cleaning tips…I have quite a bit of white grout…keep up the great work
Sarah
> Raventhank you so much Raven!
Verona Schramm
Hello
I have a question,
I want to order a product from your store.
but i can not find it anymore on your site,
it looks like this picture on this site https://screenshot.photos/product879
Mail me if you are going to sell it again.
I’ll wait.
greetings
“Sent from my iPhone”