How do u clean grout? I have a porcelain floor and its not even a year old yet and the grout looks horrible!

Question

I never use any cleaning fluids, just a steam cleaner...ty

Designs by BSB · Answer

Have you resealed the grout ? Unsealed grout can be stained with dirty mop water resulting in spotty stains and grayed out grout. 
Cleaning is not easy - there are companies out there that have special equipment and solutions to do it for you.   If you want to try some DIY ..

Many stains are on the surface of the grout and can be removed with sandpaper. Just fold the sandpaper into a crease, and work it back and forth along the grout line. If sandpaper doesn't work, you may have better results by applying a pencil eraser.

Try an over-the-counter grout cleaner -- or create a similar solution from household bleach and water. Squirt or pour the solution onto the grout, and scrub with a toothbrush.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

Check out this article I wrote on grout cleaning. http://www.networx.com/article/start-cleaning-tile-grout-more-easily

Miriam Illions · Answer

Hi Susan, here is a post on cleaning grout that you might find helpful: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/house/q-what-is-the-best-way-to-clean-grout-in-the-kitchen-143941

HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC · Answer

More than likely the grout was never sealed to begin with!  Get it cleaned first before you do anything with it....then get it sealed with a top-quality sealer which you can do yourself

Kris S · Answer

I agree...probably was never sealed to begin with.  Now you first have to clean and then seal.

Mary W · Answer

Try a vinegar solution, spray it as you go with the steam mop, and change the pad on the mop often...good luck!

Michelle E · Answer

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.

Carol C · Answer

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.

Angie G · Answer

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.

Lori W · Answer

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.

ClarenceWaggoner Remodeling & Repairs · Answer

Toothpaste and a fine brisel brush, works great.

Amanda M · Answer

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.

Rhonda M · Answer

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!!

Monika K · Answer

I have used baking soda and fresh lemon juice -  clean with a tooth brush. It takes time but turns out like new!

Pam B · Answer

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.

Andrea S · Answer

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.

Vicky C · Answer

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 : )

Veronica S · Answer

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!

Gail K · Answer

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.

Susan H · Answer

It was sealed and ty for all your comments! I have plenty of ideas now how to clean my grout! ...tyvm

Susan H · Answer

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..

Nyomi R · Answer

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!

Terri J · Answer

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!

Barb M · Answer

Double check on what type of grout was used.  Urethane grouts do not recommend steam cleaners.

Sherrie S · Answer

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.

Sherry L · Answer

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.

Susan H · Answer

Thank you all again for your helpful comments!

Terri J · Answer

I forgot - my mom swears by Vinegar and water of all things.  Her white grout has remained white for over 10 years.

Linda · Answer

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.

Neena Desens · Answer

How do you cleaned colored grout that is not sealed?

How do u clean grout? I have a porcelain floor and its not even a year old yet and the grout looks horrible!

what is the best way to clean grout in the kitchen?

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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!

what is the best way to clean grout in the kitchen?

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