Asked on Apr 10, 2015
Old tile grout
by
Georgene
+3
We moved into an early 1900 'Grandma's House'. I want to preserve the kitchen tile but the grout looks awful. Part of it is missing and some of it looks dirty. The tiles are too close together to use a grout remover tool. I used the grout sealer that allows you to paint the grout but it eventually washed out. Any suggestions?
6 answers
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I had the same issue, I used a very stiff brush with a strong cleaner and scrubbed all of the grout, rinsed it good with lots of water removing any loose grout, let it dry and added new grout where needed. I sealed it but it's still hard to keep clean, and too much scrubbing wears it away. I am going to replace with solid surface when I can afford it.
Cathy razmus
on Apr 11, 2015
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I do a lot of restorations and found that the best cleaner for grout is using a stiff brush is make a paste with vinegar and baking soda, put it on the tile and let it sit for a bit and then scrub. You then can use peroxide mixed with baking soda to really whiten if the vinegar doesn't work. You can't use vinegar and peroxide together at the same time because the two together make toxic fumes, but one after the other is fine. They are all natural cleaners so they will not hurt the grout or tile.
Tscrox
on Apr 11, 2015
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This is a time consuming project. Remove ALL loose grout. Use a bleach and baking soda paste on any mildewed grout. VENTILATE THE AREA. Your house is old so most likely you will need to use a sanded grout. I had to improvise and invent grout removing small tools since my tiles are a small octagon shape. Grouting was very time consuming since the tiles were so small. My home was built in 1937 and my kitchen tiles are all original. See photos. This took me several steps, many hours and a weekend. Don't try to do it all in one day. I can't STRESS this enough---take your time and you won't STRESS out.
Nancy
on Apr 11, 2015
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need to know best way to clean grout also
Patricia Covert
on Apr 11, 2015
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Oxi clean Clorox, and a stiff wire brush, hot water and sit over night. or take a drimmel tool and cut the old grout out and start over with brand new White grout...That's a bit tedious, but If you are concerned about GERMS like I am, then you will do just about anything to get something clean, a "steamer" SHARK makes them...will do a great job of getting out stains and filth too.
Karen V
on Apr 11, 2015
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Thank you ladies, for your help! I'll try your suggestions. Nancy.. your kitchen looks so much like mine except the colors are different. What did you use to get out the old grout? And did you find a brand of grout to replace it that you liked?
Georgene
on Apr 12, 2015
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