8 powerful ways to clean dirty grout naturally

There's nothing that ages your home quite as much as dark, dirty grout. Whether it's between the tiles in your kitchen, bathroom or floor, dirty grout is unsightly. Not only does it look bad, it's also unhygienic.

Your grout is a perfect place for mold to grow and dirt to get trapped. And chances are you touch this grout a lot, meaning you're carrying that dirt and mold to other spots in your home.

While it seems like tedious work, you can easily scrub your grout nice and clean if you choose the right products. Going for harsh chemicals might seem like the way to go, but you must have proper ventilation when you're tackling a project this big.

For that reason, all-natural grout cleaners are the best option. They're simple to use, and we guarantee you already have 95 percent of these ingredients in your home. So, what are you waiting for? Check out the list and get started cleaning up your grimy grout:

Good old baking soda will do the trick on that stubborn grout. Using a sponge, water and 1/2 cup of baking soda, you can wipe down your grout (or give it a little scrub) to freshen it good as new.

For really dark and dirty grout, reach for the vinegar. Dip a damp sponge into some full-strength white vinegar and wipe your grout down. Then, get in there with baking soda and a toothbrush and start scrubbing. It might be all natural, but this powerful combination will have awesome results.

If you have a mold problem in your grout, say in the bathroom, this is the solution you're looking for. You should take 1 part hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and 1 part water, and combine in a spray bottle. Spray over the grout and let it sit for about 45 minutes to an hour. After that rinse it and reveal clean grout.

Salt has antibacterial properties, so it's great for disinfecting, cleaning and scrubbing that stubbornly dark grout. In fact, the salt will literally suck the water out of the mold and kill it all together. Simply rub it into the grout with a damp cloth, let it sit overnight and then next day, you'll smile to see your see your grout looking good!

You're probably already aware that citric acid helps lighten things--like when it's used in beauty products to help fade dark spots. Well, you can use it for your dirty grout, too. The acid will kill off any mold and mildew, but if you really want to get a clean look, mix it with some baking soda when you rub it in.

Borax works similarly to baking soda in that it cleans, disinfects and deodorizes. So, use some of this natural mineral product like you would baking soda--rubbing it into the grout with a damp cloth--to make it look good as new.

Now, steam cleaning won't lighten your dirty grout, but it will disinfect it and loosen any dirt that's gotten trapped. This is the ideal all-natural solution to help get rid of germs and mold, and it's easier to use any of the lightening or cleaning solutions above.

This all-natural soap is made from plants, so you don't have to worry about harsh chemicals here. Use the liquid version mixed with water and baking soda to disinfect and lighten up your grout. This is a great all-purpose investment you can use to clean many parts of your home.