The grout used to fill the voids between individual tiles often becomes dingy and stained. At a tile store, you can purchase a pH-neutral tile-cleaning solution. Unless your grout is white white, do not use a cleanser that contains bleach because it could lighten your grout’s color. Mix it according to label directions (wear rubber gloves). Permanently stained grout will have to be replaced.

1) Pour the cleaner onto the floor and scrub it into the grout lines with a soft-bristle brush.

2) Using a sponge and clear water, rinse the surface completely. With a rag, sop up the water so the grout will dry quickly—damp dark grout will hide stains.

3) To remove stains that won’t come out when you use the following methods, consult your tile dealer about a stronger cleanser.

Coffee, wine, mustard, fruit juice: Scrub with a non-bleaching cleaner. Allow to sit for several minutes and then rinse.

Hard water, rust: Scrub with a non-bleaching scouring powder and then rinse thoroughly.

Fresh paint: Remove with commercial paint remover, per label directions.

Oil: Scrub with detergent or with a mixture of 10% sodium carbonate in water.

Old paint: Carefully loosen the paint with a razor blade. If necessary, follow up with paint remover.