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Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

0
Susan H
Susan H on Mar 31, 2012
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How do u clean grout? I have a porcelain floor and its not even a year old yet and the grout looks horrible!

I never use any cleaning fluids, just a steam cleaner...ty
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29 Comments Displaying 25 of 29 comments | See Previous
  • Kris S Minneapolis, MN
    I agree...probably was never sealed to begin with. Now you first have to clean and then seal.
    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 1
  • Mary W Kissimmee, FL
    Try a vinegar solution, spray it as you go with the steam mop, and change the pad on the mop often...good luck!
    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 1
  • Michelle E Churubusco, IN
    I did the same as KMS and used a butter cream colored grout with my travertine tile in my bath and hall. I also sealed it. The only place it gets dirty looking is on the floor under the wood burning stove pad....but it is sealed- that one I put on 3 layers of sealer. When I am sure I am done using the stove for the season, I will clean the grout under the wood stove. Thanks for posting the article KMS! I will probably start with peroxide and work from there in that location and reseal ...»
    after clean. I am going to post a thread myself as I have a related question, but don't want to but in on this thread.

    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 2
  • Carol C Mentor, OH
    I have done this with both bathtub tile and floor ceramic tile. My original white grout turned gray that was on the bathroom floor and turned gray from age on the bathtub tile. I used acrylic paint (the kind you get in craft stores for $1.00) and painted the grout lines. It didn't take as long as you might think, acrylic paint lasts for a very long time, and it looks great. They also have a product available for this at Home Depot but it costs more. Of course you can always try the ...»
    cleaning methods above. But if all else fails you might consider this.

    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 3
  • Angie G Oklahoma City, OK
    The steam mop will not clean the grout . you have to power steam it with a wand style steamer or you have to get something like an oral b spin brush and oxy spray cleaner from Dollar General OR local provider of OXY CLEAN SPRAY for the LAUNDRY. These 2 ways work out for the best as far as time consumption.
    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 1
  • Lori W Brentwood, CA
    Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, it may take a lot of them, but it will clean the grout beautifully and then seal it with a good quality grout sealer.
    on Apr 01, 2012 · Like 1
  • ClarenceWaggoner Remodeli... Fenton, MO
    Toothpaste and a fine brisel brush, works great.
    on Apr 02, 2012 · Like 1
  • Amanda M Bethlehem, GA
    Same as mentioned above,and a lot of elbow grease. Use a sealer once the job is done to help make your grout look cleaner longer.
    on Apr 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Rhonda M Kittery, ME
    Hands & knees, toothbrush or really stiff bristle brush. I have used soft scrub or TSP for really dirty or greasy grout, Soft Scrub works better. Then seal with a really good grout sealer, I used Stone Tech, Bullit proof- Two coats. Works great! We have apartments with tile floors in kitchens, never again!!
    on Apr 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Monika K Kennesaw, GA
    I have used baking soda and fresh lemon juice - clean with a tooth brush. It takes time but turns out like new!
    on Apr 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Pam B Jaffrey, NH
    Usually it is recommended that you wait six months before putting a sealer on new grout. thereafter, you need to repeat every six months. It should also help prevent cracking. Magic Eraser contains bleach...not sure it's a good idea to use on grout.
    on Apr 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Andrea S Canada
    My large kitchen was not sealed either. After a few years it looked dirty. I used a tooth brush and bleach to scrub the grout. Then I sealed it with 2 layers of grout sealer. It looked nice for about a month, then the shine of the sealer disappeared from the tiles. I panted the whole floor with it because I thought it was faster than painting the grout only. Maybe it was not meant to stay on tile but boy I am not prepared to go down on my knees again to scrub with bleach and inhale the ...»
    fumes. I'm not sure it's worth it. It would be nice to have something to spread on it and leave it to work while we take the kids out and have fun. Cleaning tile grout is not fun LOL.

    on Apr 07, 2012 · Like 0
  • Vicky C Crestview, FL
    the works toilet bowel cleaner', make sure its well ventilated then put it on the grout leave it for a couple of minutes and scrub it off. i've done this for years even works on the grout in the shower. smells horrible so open the windows : )
    on Apr 09, 2012 · Like 3
  • Veronica S Squires, MO
    I use The toilet gel cleaner... works wonders and then I clean and rinse it really good. Seal it up and it is bright and clean once again!
    on Apr 09, 2012 · Like 1
  • Gail K Saint Paul, MN
    Use JASCO grout cleaner, available at hardware stores and you can skip all the time and sweat. On extremely yellowed wall tile grout, I tried a dozen different products / remedies (and TONS of hours scrubbing with toothbrushes), but NOTHING worked all that well (bleach, peroxide, oxi-clean, vinigar, baking soda, lemon juice, and many different grocery store tile & grout cleaners, etc.). One application of JASCO, and I was jumping up and down in joy (plus crying that I had not discovered ...»
    it sooner)!!! It's a thick liquid, not quite a gel; bottle does not have an "applicator-type" cap, so swap it out with the cap from squeeze-mustard-bottle for easier application. Scrub it in a lightly with a tooth/grout brush, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and then rinse it off thoroughly with very wet sponge. When the grout dries, you wll be absolutely amazed at the result. It's a miracle product.

    on Apr 09, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan H
    It was sealed and ty for all your comments! I have plenty of ideas now how to clean my grout! ...tyvm
    on Apr 10, 2012 · Like 2
  • Susan H
    Oh, one more thing..When the contractors were done with my floor the grout color was not correct so they came over and stained it darker..They told me it had a sealer in it..
    on Apr 10, 2012 · Like 0
  • Nyomi R Hillsboro, NH
    Even if they say it has a sealer IN it, you really should put another sealer OVER it. This will protect any and everything from getting into it. Good luck!
    on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Terri J York, PA
    Hometalk has a company coalled Grout Sheild on it. Look them up - I did and will be using their product line a.s.a.p. I found them to be very useful, poilte and wiling to walk ne thru all my questions. I have not had an oppoturnityi to use the Grout Siled yetk, but that is where I am heading - they sell it all!
    on Apr 26, 2012 · Like 1
  • Barb M Cripple Creek, CO
    Double check on what type of grout was used. Urethane grouts do not recommend steam cleaners.
    on Apr 30, 2012 · Like 1
  • Sherrie S Debary, FL
    Years ago I had glazed porcelain tile installed with a light colored grout. The vendor recommended not sealing it so I didn't. It never looks too bad but on occasion I use stain solver www.stainsolver.com. It is an oxygen bleach & can also be used on wooden decks. It works.
    on May 02, 2012 · Like 1
  • Sherry L San Carlos, CA
    The steam cleaner may UNSEAL it because of the heat, so may harsh chemicals like clorox but clorox and a toothbrush, while time consuming work, does work. Then reseal. And use a mop and mild cleaners. RINSE WELL. Rinsing is how it lifts off the loosened dirt.
    on May 03, 2012 · Like 1
  • Susan H
    Thank you all again for your helpful comments!
    on May 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Terri J York, PA
    I forgot - my mom swears by Vinegar and water of all things. Her white grout has remained white for over 10 years.
    on May 05, 2012 · Like 0
  • Linda New Albany, IN
    The installers told my mom not to seal her light ceramic tile and white grout in the kitchen and to just use Oxy-clean on it. You can make it strong and let it sit a little and you won't have to scrub with a brush so much.
    on May 14, 2012 · Like 0

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