Grout Cleaning And Stain Removal
Standard grout is a mixture of portland cement, colorant, and sometimes sand,
depending whether it is a floor or wall tile or if it is to be used for marble
or ceramic tile.
Grout looks different depending on how it was mixed, cured, or the kind of
liquid that was used to mix and apply it with.
If not properly cared for, sealed and maintained, grout can look terrible.
Dust and dirt can collect in the holes on the surface and the grout will
discolor if not protected by a protective sealer which covers, fills and
permeates the porous surface. Even the noble act of mopping unsealed grout
causes discoloration. All the filled holes hold on to their dirt and the mop at
best just moves dirt from one hole to the other. When mopping tile the rougher
surfaced grout in effect cleans off the dirty mop water from the mop and further
fills itself up with dirt.
Think of it this way- If your grout is not sealed, it will become
nasty, dingy and covered in dirt. Mold and mildew lurking in damp shower or sink
areas can turn your grout various shades of color- All the way from a delicate
pick to mottled brown, speckled or even solid black.
Your best approach is to use a liquid to loosen the dirt and then a strong
vacuum to pull the dirt up out of the holes. The only real way to minimize the
dirty grout problem is to lay the tile as close together as possible and have
very narrow grout lines - obviously the narrower the grout lines the less grout
that you will have to deal with.
Seal the grout with a good (probably expensive) sealer. Not sealing grout
will have the same predictable results that have caused you to go out and search
the internet for this page. If you don't protect your grout with a sealer it
will become dirty and very difficult to maintain. Use floor mats in the door
ways to help keep the floors clean. And last but not least, remove your shoes
before entering your home.
Tile and Grout Cleaner
This is a great homemade tile and grout cleaner that is safe for frequent
use. It also works well for removing soap scum and cleaning tile counters.
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 1/3 cup of ammonia
- 1/4 cup of white vinegar
- 7 cups of water
Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Do not
use this in conjunction with chlorine bleach or where chlorine bleach has been
used. (never mix ammonia and bleach containing products) Simply spray it on and
then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. No rinsing required.
Cleaning Grout
Scrub with a grout brush dipped in wax stripper or a heavy-duty cleaner
solution to get it as clean as possible.
Use chlorine bleach cleanser on stubborn spots.
Rinse well Once dry, apply a coat of masonry sealer to keep the grout from
absorbing stains and dirt in the future.
Mold and Mildewed Grout
To clean mildewed grout in tub and shower enclosures:
Scrub with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to five parts water.
Use a bristle brush and agitate. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
Colored Grout
To clean colored grout:
If the grout is old and very dirty, clean it with a heavy-duty, no-bleach
cleaner and a grout brush.
Once the grout is clean, apply a coat of masonry sealer to keep it from
absorbing future stains and dirt.
If the colored grout is very stained, try a solution of one part liquid
chlorine bleach to five parts water, then rinse. Keep in mind that bleach may
remove the color along with the stain.
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