• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

May 28, 2013

Dirty Little Secrets…

How to make All Natural Homemade Grout Cleaner from At The Picket Fence

I realized something last Friday while home all day with a sick kid.

There are only so many excuses you can come up with for not cleaning your bathrooms. My go-to lately has been the classic “I’m just way too busy to properly deep clean this bathroom so let’s just all make a pact to never turn the lights on in here, ok?”

I snuggled with my girl on the couch for awhile, checked email, finished a blog post, checked Facebook, tossed in a load of laundry, checked Facebook, snuggled some more, watched Blues Clues, checked email, tossed in another load of laundry, checked Facebook, glanced at the clock and realized it was only 10 a.m. I guess since I had been up since 5 a.m. with my vomiting daughter I felt like half the day should be gone by this point but, alas, it was still morning and I had no more excuses. I had to clean the bathrooms!

And if I was going to clean them, then I was going to really CLEAN them. I was committed by this point. All or nothing baby! As I wiped down the counters I realized that even though I knew in my mind I was cleaning them, my eyes said something different. The culprit? Dirty, dingy grout lines!

So one quick Pinterest search later and my counters went from this…

grout_before_homemade_cleaner atthepicketfence.com

To THIS!

grout_after_using_homemade_cleaner

And all it took were two ingredients and some elbow grease. Or finger grease. Is that a thing?

Simply pour baking soda into a bowl and slowly add hydrogen peroxide until you have the consistency of paste. Spread it over the grout lines and press it in while you’re spreading. Then leave it for awhile. Say….long enough to take care of your vomiting child, toss in another load of laundry from said vomiting child, decide to switch around some furniture and accessories, snuggle with aforementioned child, watch Lalaloopsy, remake bed of vomiting child and…well…you get the idea.

Then using warm water and a cloth simply wipe down the counters being sure to scrub the grout lines as you work. You will see the grime just lift right off!

How to make All Natural Homemade Grout Cleaner from At The Picket Fence

I was so excited about how well this worked that I decided to put it to the ultimate test.

THE BATHROOM USED BY A BOY!!!  

If you are squeamish you should just go ahead and turn away now because this isn’t pretty folks. This is what happens when you mix boys and white tile with white grout lines. Especially when that boy likes to see how closely he can “aim” towards the side of the toilet without going over. Yep.

I left the paste on even longer for this one and really held little hope that it would actually work. I might have even started thinking about how I could just paint the grout lines yellow and never have to worry about this again.

But after a bit of scrubbing the grout went from this…(told ya it wasn’t pretty and if I wasn’t so excited about the results I might be too ashamed to even show this to you!)

bathroom_tile_before

To THIS! And then I might have passed out for a bit from amazement.

bathroom_tile_natural_grout_cleaner

 Someday I would love to have non-tiled counters. I think a beautiful white marble would be so pretty in our master bathroom, don’t you?

But, we need to paint our house this summer. And my cooktop only has one burner that works at a time. And we need to repair/refinish the floors in our kitchen. And…well…new counters are so far down the line that they aren’t even on the back burner!

white_tile_bathroom_counter atthepicketfence.com

 So, until they get there, I will just be content with my fresh, looks-good-as-new, white tiled counter.

How to make All Natural Homemade Grout Cleaner from At The Picket Fence

And tell my son that the next time he decides he wants to see how close he can get to the edge of the toilet without going over he will have to be the one to clean the grout!

Can I get an AMEN? 😉

Ian collage

Speaking of that boy…today he turns 10. Double digits! He keeps asking me why I tear up when we talk about this milestone and I tell him they are happy tears because I’m so grateful that I get to be his mommy. And that is true, of course! But, inside I know that they are also bittersweet tears because I blinked and he went from that little boy doing itsy-bitsy-spider in the photo on the left to the big boy in the photo on the right who is growing into an incredible young “man”. And isn’t that the best dimple ever? I always tell him, “YOU are the one who made all my dreams come true and made me a mommy!” He is hilarious, tender-hearted, curious about EVERYTHING, inquisitive, his favorite word is “interesting”, he is a wonderful friend, an even more wonderful big brother and, along with his sister, the light of our lives. Happy Birthday sweet boy of mine! Being your mommy is the greatest joy and privilege in my life and 10 years ago today every hope, dream, prayer, longing and heart’s desire came to fulfillment when God gave us YOU!

Thanks so much for meeting me At the Picket Fence today,

1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

P.S. If you don’t have white grout lines and are worried that this might change the color, test on an inconspicuous area first before using. Other alternative solutions are using baking soda and vinegar or even just lemon juice to clean the grout lines! 

Looking for more awesome tips like this? Visit Ask Anna where you will find tons of ways to clean and organize your home! Check out these other ways to use Hydrogen Peroxide in cleaning your home:

Cleaning-with-hydrogen-peroxide-Ask-Anna2-600x400

31 Comments Filed Under: Good Ideas Tagged With: grout cleaner, homemade cleaner, homemade grout cleaner, natural grout cleaner, organic grout cleaner

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Celebrating a Legacy of Patriotism on Memorial Day
Next Post: A Tea Party Birthday »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:42 AM

    I have got to try this. I have some grout that needs a little help. Happy Birthday to your son! Mine turned 16 on Sunday and I more than teared up…I was bawling. It was quite a scene. Not sure what came over me but it hit me like a ton of bricks. Lol

    Reply
  2. Ashley says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    I’m going to dig out my baking soda and peroxide RIGHT now! My two boys love to play that game too. Happy birthday to your sweet boy!

    Reply
  3. Angela says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    Wow! Your grout looks great! I’ll have to try this! Happy Birthday to your son!!~~Angela

    Reply
  4. Debbie says

    May 28, 2013 at 6:56 AM

    What a great tip Vanessa, and the pictures definitely do the talking. I’m pinning this and will give it a try for sure! Thanks for sharing!

    Debbie

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    May 28, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Would this change the color of grout? I have a medium blue grout in the boys’ bathroom and it sounds wonderful to have it truly cleaned and stain free, but I am concerned that it might permanently change the color in the area where I clean the grout. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      May 28, 2013 at 7:43 AM

      Hi Linda! I did a bit of research and while hydrogen peroxide isn’t the same as a chlorine bleach it is considered an oxygen bleach and could possibly lighten colored grout. It’s recommended that you test it first in an inconspicuous area and see what happens prior to using anywhere else. I’ve also heard that vinegar and baking soda works as well as just lemon juice squeezed onto the areas you are needing to clean. Hope that helps!
      Vanessa

      Reply
  6. Anna says

    May 28, 2013 at 8:01 AM

    Thanks for the shout out friend! Great post! 🙂

    Anna
    askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  7. Lisa says

    May 28, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    This is a great tip! I have all boys, so I DEFINITELY know what you’re talking about. LOL! I love it when natural cleaners do such a great job. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    May 28, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Aw, happy happy 10th birthday to your boy, Vanessa! And I love this grout cleaning tip. Our last house had white tile countertops in the kitchen – I HATED them. Should have looked on Pinterest. lol But this is perfect for cleeaning our own “boy bathroom”. Blech. 🙂
    Thanks for the tips!
    xoxo, Claire

    Reply
  9. Angelina says

    May 28, 2013 at 9:09 AM

    WOW!!!! Such an AMAZING difference. Happy Birthday to your Son!! My heart ACHES as I see my little one’s growing up so fast… I can’t believe my once Baby will be 18 yrs old in a few months.. SIGH!!!
    xoxo

    Reply
  10. Kristin @ Yellow Bliss Road says

    May 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    Where was this post last weekend??? LOL!! I’ll be putting it to the test next weekend. Thanks for the tip!

    Reply
  11. Debbie says

    May 28, 2013 at 1:21 PM

    I’m pinning this, and I’m passing it along to some folks I know.

    And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son!! (Every time I see his face, I remember how cute he was on a video that you two did together for a giveaway. It was a kid friendly computer thing, but I can’t remember exactly what since I don’t have kids.) I hope he never loses that spunk. I hope he just turns it into big boy spunk.

    Reply
  12. camille says

    May 28, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    I smell a summer grout-scrubbing project coming on! Thanks so much for sharing this. I love a good before and after, and trust me-my bathroom is the perfect “before.” Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
  13. Michele Smith says

    May 28, 2013 at 11:41 PM

    I need to try this! I gave the kid’s bathroom a deep clean last week but I still have 2 more bathrooms to go LOL I’ve been scrubbing the house giving it a deep clean before we go to Texas to visit family.
    Awwww your baby boy looks so sweet! My son will be hitting the teenage years in Oct. I am definitely going to cry.
    Thank you for sharing your secret grout cleaner! I’ve been using magic erasers for everything.

    Reply
  14. Jennifer @ Celebrating Everyday Life says

    May 29, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    That is AMAZING! Seriously, awesome!! It totally makes me want to clean some grout just to see the effects – and that’s saying something 🙂 Hope your daughter feels better soon!!!

    Reply
  15. Therese @ Fresh Idea Studio says

    May 29, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    Amen! Yes, that sounds like a real tool to keep in box of go-to-solutions! Thanks, Vanessa! Grout is always such a love-hate thing isn’t. But with this to keep the kids bathrooms clean I feel so much better. {I know I probably shouldn’t have chosen white but I do think in the long run it’s actually easier to keep looking nicer…same goes for white slipcovered furniture in my opinion.}

    Reply
  16. Traci says

    May 29, 2013 at 11:47 AM

    Great tip! Thanks!

    Reply
  17. Kimberly Sneed says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:11 PM

    I LOVE when you can make something so useful out of stuff you already have! Thanks for sharing this fab tip!

    Reply
  18. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    May 29, 2013 at 5:42 PM

    They grow up so fast….Happy Birthday to your beautiful son…he will always be your baby boy!…Mine is and he is grown and has his own family…and thanks for the grout cleaning tip…so much better than using the harsh bleach products!!!

    Reply
  19. bonnie@uncommon designs says

    May 29, 2013 at 5:45 PM

    AMEN sister! Those boys can kill some grout! Gotta try this one!

    Reply
  20. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    May 30, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    This works so well! I use it in our tiled shower sometimes. Using liquid/gel toilet bowl cleaner works wonders as well!

    Reply
  21. Kelly @ thelilypadcottage says

    May 30, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    I’m still looking for my motivation to clean the bathroom…but when I do, I’m using your tips! Pinning so I don’t forget 🙂

    Reply
  22. Maggie says

    May 31, 2013 at 8:59 AM

    Great tip! Don’t forget that grout needs to be sealed periodically. I believe the instructions were to seal grout when initially installed, and then re-seal every six months. Check the bottle. Sealing prevents stains from penetrating the grout. Good time to seal now that your grout is clean. Any experience with removing black mold in grout?

    Reply
  23. Kellie M says

    May 31, 2013 at 10:48 AM

    Thanks for the tip. We also have white tile bathroom counters. Not my favorite, but they are new-ish, so won’t be changing anytime soon. I’m going to give this a try!

    Reply
  24. Angela says

    May 31, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    Awesome tip! I bet it helped get rid of the smell too! Repinned this to my cleaning board.

    Reply
  25. Beth Wilson says

    June 2, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    Biz works well too and it is easier.

    Reply
  26. mare says

    June 8, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    Does this help the grout stay cleaner longer? My kitchen tile gets dark so easily!

    Reply
  27. Julie says

    June 30, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I needed this so bad!! I will give a try, thanks so much for the tip.

    Reply
  28. free minecraft says

    July 7, 2013 at 1:17 PM

    E) You understand that the owners, users, and
    staff of this website can not be held responsible for any form of loss
    that may occur from using this website.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 25+ Spring Cleaning Tutorials {Room by Room} - Dukes & Duchesses says:
    February 25, 2014 at 4:02 AM

    […] clean the grout […]

    Reply
  2. 25 Tutorials for Spring Cleaning Your Home | says:
    March 20, 2014 at 7:06 AM

    […] clean the grout […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consumin I’m never.going.back to stressful, time-consuming seasonal decorating. When I think back on the years where I would feel all of the pressure to come up with something fresh and creative I’m seriously embarrassed. Truly. Because it was such a waste. A waste of my time, my energy, my resources. Something clicked with me a few years ago. I was just done. I needed to simplify. I needed to not spend an obscene amount of time looking at fireplace mantels on Pinterest and trying to figure out how to make mine look amazing. I needed to put it all in the proper place in my heart and my mind. Which meant, it had to go waaaaayyyy down on the priority list. So far down it almost wasn’t on it. And I needed to confess to the Lord that I had allowed it to become an idol. 

Yes, I want to have a home that I enjoy. Yes, I love pretty things. But something really amazing happened when I finally released it all. When I decided to not give into the pressure and panic I would feel when I would scroll through my Instagram feed. When I just laid it all down and said…enough. There was this incredible irony in it. Because, the less time I took to decorate my home for each season, the more I found myself loving the results. I think that all along I had just been getting in my own way. It’s really taken a lot of time and prayer for me to finally be at a place where even though I still struggle with insecurities and I still have doubts from time to time, I’m becoming increasingly more confident in who God created me to be. And, just like my home, I’m finding that as I relax into myself, letting go of the comparisons and the pressure, the more I can actually lean into the calling He has placed on my life. 🍂

Leave a comment if you can relate! 

#wearethehomemakers #homemaking
“As the alluring song of September begins to whi “As the alluring song of September begins to whisper in my ear, my passionate spirit yearns for the splendor of its promise.” (Peggy Toney Horton)

Happy September dear friends! While I’m not quite ready to let go of summer and I plan to make the most out of the lingering, warm days, I’ll admit to starting to think about my fall decor this year. And one way to get inspired is to take a look back at previous years. Here’s just a glimpse at some of the ways I’ve welcomed Autumn to my home! 🍂

#september #falldecorating #falldecor #falldecoratingideas #wearethehomemakers
Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning Labor Day weekend might mean that we’re turning the corner and getting closer to fall but I’m not quite ready to let summer go. So I’ll just be over here continuing to whip up some super simple summer meals for my family that frankly can be enjoyed in any season. These shrimp rolls I made the other night were definitely a hit and would be great for any of your upcoming holiday weekend gatherings!

Shrimp Rolls 🍤

Ingredients
1-2 lbs of shrimp that is peeled, deveined and tail off (If using frozen make sure it’s thawed completely)
1/3 cup mayonnaise 
1/2 of a lemon
2 Tbsps chopped scallions
1 Tbsp chopped dill
1 Tbsp chopped Italian parsley
1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning (more if you like!)
pinch of sea salt and pinch of black pepper
Hoagie Rolls
Softened butter

Directions: Gently pat the shrimp with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. Roughly chop the shrimp and place in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, squeeze half of lemon and stir to combine before adding in the scallions, dill and parsley. Stir to combine and then add the additional seasonings. Spread butter on hoagie rolls and toast in the oven until lightly browned. Pile on the shrimp mixture and enjoy! 

#shrimproll #foodie #weeknightdinner #easydinner #seafoodlover
Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. W Today has been a very Monday-ish kind of Monday. We woke up to the sound of chainsaws and rushed downstairs to find that our backyard neighbors were having two of the huge trees that line our shared fence removed. These trees have been here longer than the neighborhood and no, they weren't dead or causing damage to roofs, foundations, etc. They were beautiful and gave us wonderful privacy. We had no notice of this happening so this came as quite a shock. Because we were given no notice, we didn't have the chance to cover our outdoor furniture or plants and everything is now coated in a thick layer of sawdust including the fresh bark we recently put in the garden beds. And now our lovely privacy is gone, replaced by a direct view of an above ground pool and RV. I know, I know, it's totally a first world, privileged kind of problem to have. But, now we have to spend thousands of dollars on plants to try and recapture some semblance of privacy. Now we have days worth of clean up to do after we had JUST done a massive freshening up of our backyard. My overarching feeling has just been weariness at the way our world is today.

I think about how often we try to do right by people, to be respectful and courteous. To be thoughtful and considerate. And it’s not reciprocated. How its starting to seem more and more like people have just given up on those seemingly small niceties. And my soul just feels heavy. Because I feel like so much of what used to be common courtesy is not so common anymore. Drivers on the roads are angrier and more reckless than ever before. Red lights being run are an everyday occurrence around town. On our recent family vacation, I heard more people using the F word out in public than ever before even while around children. Where are manners? Where is kindness? I'm finding myself being surprised when someone is thoughtful because it seems like a rarity. And that's just all on a micro, local level. Don't even get me started on the insanity in our world/culture. After I returned from grocery shopping (which can also be soul crushing), I found myself desperate for a reminder of the truth. 

*Part 2 continued in the comments.*
How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully How often is it in our lives that we don’t fully grasp our strengths or our weaknesses until we are put to the test? Little did I know how much I would love my role as a wife, mother and homemaker until I became one. And that in my endeavor to do those roles to the best of my ability, it would bring to the forefront gifts and talents and blessings that I use outside of these walls.

As I water others, I’m watered too because it brings such joy to care for those around me. But it can also make me see more clearly the areas in which I’m lacking and be a very humbling reminder of how much I still need to grow and learn.

Proverbs 11:25 says, “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Have you done any ‘watering’ of others this week? How has it blessed and ‘watered’ you in return?
“Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you “Mom, this is one of my favorite meals that you make.” Statements like this from my kids fill me with so much joy and such a sense of assurance that my role as the maker of this home is one that makes an impact on them in both big and small ways. It’s not just sheet pan shrimp boil. 

It’s nourishment
It’s time together around the table
It’s laughing as we try to get the butter sauce out of the pan
It’s a memory
It’s an imprint on their lives 

The ordinary act of making a meal becomes EXTRAordinary. And I try to keep that in mind as I do this task day in and day out, year after year. 

***

Ingredients: 
1 pound baby red or yellow potatoes
Green beans or corn (4 ears cut in half) whichever you prefer
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp coarse sea salt and pinch of black pepper 
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 (12.8-ounce) package smoked andouille sausage, thinly sliced
Crusty bread for dipping 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook potatoes until just tender, about 10 minutes. Put potatoes, shrimp, sausage and green beans or corn on baking sheet. Pour butter over top. Sprinkle with old bay seasoning and salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Bake for about 12 minutes or until shrimp is pink. 

#shrimpboil #sheetpandinner #sheetpanmeals #homemaking
Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and lig Temperatures in the 100’s call for fresh and light cocktails! My husband is my own built in bartender and he put this together the other night. 

2 jiggers of gin (you could also use vodka) 
*you should do a jig when using a jigger 😉*
Crushed ice 
Grapefruit tonic 
Squirt of lime 
Sprig of mint 

Easy and so refreshing!! ☀️

#cocktails #summercocktails
There is something magical about the late summer e There is something magical about the late summer evenings. Maybe it’s because we have a greater sense of the fact that these long days are slowly shortening and we want to savor them as much as we can. I know I intend to do just that. 

I hope you’re having a wonderful August so far dear friends!
Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our hou Variations of this recipe are on repeat at our house all summer long. We’re big on the ‘build your own’ method of making dinner especially on very hot days. Simplicity for the win! 
#recipes #easydinner #easydinnerideas #homemaking
In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grou In music, rhythm is a regular repetition or a grouping of beats. No matter what else a piece of music has in terms of its pitch or tone, the rhythm never changes. Its the stabilizing force and brings order to a composition that would be completely chaotic without it.

The same can be said of rhythms in our lives and in our homes. When everything else feels out of control, rhythms and patterns provide us with stability and something that we can rely upon to give us a sense of security in a very insecure world. But, too often, we associate the rhythmic things we do in our lives as merely tasks to be gotten through rather than gifts which provide much-needed balance.

Whether it’s making the coffee every night before we go to bed or doing my devotional in the morning before the rest of the house wakes up or watering my garden, these simple tasks provide a rhythm to my day that is truly grounding. 

What’s something that you do that you would classify as a rhythm or pattern in your week?
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence