I was a cleaner at Buckingham Palace – we used TEA to polish & had a 10-minute fix for dirty grout, here’s all my tricks

BUCKINGHAM Palace – one of the most iconic residences in the world, boasts 775 rooms, 78 bathrooms, and a level of grandeur few homes can match.

But behind the opulence lies a surprising fact: some of its most pristine surfaces are kept spotless without a single drop of chemicals.

Anne Simmons, 57, from Winkfield, Berkshire, worked as a royal cleaner, ensuring that every inch of the palace remained immaculate while protecting its delicate interiors.

Now, she is sharing some of the eco-friendly methods used behind palace doors—techniques that can transform the way you clean your own home.

With expert insights from Hyperion Tiles, specialists in kitchen and bathroom, Anne reveals three powerful, non-toxic cleaning techniques trusted in the royal household.

Steam Cleaning: The Secret Behind Spotless Surfaces

At the palace, harsh chemicals were never an option for delicate materials.

Steam cleaning was the go-to method for deep cleaning without causing damage.

How to use it at home:

• Use a handheld steam cleaner on kitchen tiles, bathroom surfaces, and even upholstery to lift dirt and kill bacteria naturally.
• For delicate flooring, experts at Hyperion Tiles recommend a low-moisture steam approach to avoid damage.
• Steam cleaning eliminates up to 99.9 percent of germs, making it a safe choice for households with children or pets.

Tea for Wooden Furniture and Floors

Polishing wooden furniture with black tea may sound unconventional, but Anne explains that it was a trusted method inside Buckingham Palace to keep wooden surfaces looking rich and polished.

How to use it at home:

• Brew a pot of strong black tea, let it cool, and use a microfiber cloth to buff wooden surfaces.
• The tannic acid in tea naturally removes grease and restores shine without the harsh chemicals found in commercial polishes.
• This method works particularly well on hardwood kitchen cabinets and antique furniture.

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Baking Soda for Grout Cleaning

Even the palace’s luxurious bathrooms and kitchens required regular deep cleaning.

Instead of using harsh bleaches, Anne relied on baking soda to tackle grime in grout lines.

How to use it at home:

• Make a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to grout lines, and scrub gently with a soft brush.
• Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
• Hyperion Tiles experts recommend this method as it effectively cleans grout without causing discoloration or surface damage.

Why These Methods Matter

These simple but effective cleaning strategies are not only palace-approved but also offer real benefits for every home.

• Avoiding harsh chemicals reduces exposure to toxic ingredients commonly found in household cleaners.
• Using natural solutions is a sustainable way to keep surfaces clean while limiting plastic waste and harmful residues.
• Everyday household items can be just as effective as expensive specialty products, making cleaning more cost-efficient.

A spokesperson fom Hyperion Tiles said: ”Natural cleaning methods, like those used in Buckingham Palace, protect surfaces while maintaining their finish.

”Steam cleaning, for example, is highly effective for deep cleaning without the risk of damage from harsh chemicals.”