I have tile in my bathroom, and the grout always looks yellow. Is there a way to keep the grout white without buying something special where you have to go over every inch of the grout to get it white? Really bugs me.
Thanks ahead of time for your help. Asked by ForTheLoveOfBirds 43 months ago Similar questions: easiest clean grout tile floor Home > Home Improvement.
Similar questions: easiest clean grout tile floor.
Grout How to Clean Tile Grout By Carrie Grosvenor Whether you've got tile floors, kitchen backsplashes, or bathroom tile, the grout between tiles can get pretty grimy. With the right cleaning solution and a bit of elbow grease, you can get your grout looking fresh and brand new. Tile grout gets dirty in many different ways.In the bathroom, it's usually mold or mildew causing the grout stains.
In the kitchen it could be a combination of food stains, general household traffic and grime, and mildew. No matter what the cause of the staining, start off with the simplest and least acidic cleaning solution first, moving up to harsher chemical cleaners if you are unsuccessful in getting the grout completely clean. For some stains, simple household items like vinegar or baking soda can be effective cleaners.
Use vinegar diluted with an equal amount of water, or make a paste of baking soda and a bit of water to clean the grout with. Spray or dab the cleaner onto a small length of grout and scrub with a stiff brush. Scrubbing in small circles rather than straight up and down will remove more debris from the grout.
Rinse well with water and mop up and remaining moisture with a sponge or paper towels. Generic household cleaners such as Mr. Clean, Lysol, or powder-based cleaners can also work on tile grout. Use as directed above for vinegar or baking soda, and make sure to rinse the grout well after cleaning.
Alternatively, if you own or have access to a steam cleaner, try using it on your grout work. The pressure of the steam cleaner can loosen debris and stains that cleaners can't dissolve. If your grout hasn't come completely clean, the next step is to try a commercial tile and grout cleaner.
These are available wherever home cleaning products are sold. Try to find a cleanser that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won't erode the grout with continued use.To get the best result from a commercial cleaner, spray it on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Follow the directions on the label of the product to clean effectively.
For heavy duty stains, use even stronger products such as oxygen bleach powder, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. These products should be well diluted before use. You can also find heavy duty cleaners at hardware stores or janitorial supply outlets.
If you go this route, however, you will need to read labels carefully and follow directions to the letter. General Tips for Grout Cleaning Clean the grout first with water and allow to dry. This will remove any loose surface debris.
Never use bleach on colored grout, as it will discolor the grout. Use a stiff brush for scrubbing. Old toothbrushes will be too soft.
Also avoid using metal bristles, as they will wear away the grout. If you're using commercial cleaners, bleach, or other chemicals, make sure the room you're working in is well ventilated. Use gloves and protective eye wear when working with any chemical-based cleaners.
Test your grout cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that it won't erode or damage your grout work. This is especially necessary if your tile grout is old or damaged. Never mix cleaners together!
Chemical reactions can cause noxious fumes or burns if the mixture touches the skin. When your tile grout is completely clean, keep it looking fresh and new by applying a coat or two of grout sealer. There are various types of grout sealers available for different uses, such as floors or bathroom tile.
Make sure you purchase the correct type for the grout you'll be applying it to. Reapply the grout sealer at least once a year, or more often if necessary. Hope this helps!
Have a good one..
I wish it were easier... I have had this same problem. Tile on floor and walls. There are a few ways to get the grout clean yourself, but they all require some elbow grease (Soft Scrub, Bleach, or Steam machine).
Steaming the grout is the easiest and doesn't take quite the effort as a scrub brush. The best answer and advise if you have the means, have a cleaning company (usually carpet cleaners do this now) like Sears Carpet come in and clean your tile. They will steam clean with a solution, trust me, nothing you do can clean like this thing!
The best thing is find out if your area cleaning company also seals it when they are done. This helps prevent the muck from coming back. As far as routine prevention, try to make sure you have good ventilation, keep the tile as dry as possible (daily wipe downs), and get a daily shower cleaner (one that you don't have to scrub with).
A few sprays after you shower will help maintain. Sources: Experience brennan08's Recommendations method Daily Shower Spray, Case Pack, Eight - 28 Ounce Bottles (224 Ounces) Amazon List Price: $33.57 Average Customer Rating: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 16 reviews) SC Johnson #3338 Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Antibacterial Shower Cleaner Starter Average Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 (based on 16 reviews) SC Johnson #23338 34OZ Scrub Shower Refill Average Customer Rating: 5.0 out of 5 (based on 1 reviews) Personally haven't used, but a few friends love the SB Auto Shower Cleaner.
Personally, I go for the low-tech method... An old toothbrush and a cup of bleach. It's labor intensive, but it works as well aas anything else I've ever found--and you probably have both around. I find if I do that every so often, I can just wipe down (or spray down) regularly, and it stays nice for quite a while--couple of months.
Sources: Personal opinion. NancyE's Recommendations Mrs. Meyers 17103 Oxygen Bleach Stain Remover Amazon List Price: $7.99 Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (based on 3 reviews) Wear crappy clothes for this job. I have sleached-out spots on sleeves, especially.
I always THINK it won't drip, or I won't rest my arm in it. Yeah. Right..
Cleaning Kitchen-Floor Grout If the grout between your floor tiles becomes stained or dirty, you can easily make it look like new again. 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 (figure A).
If sandpaper doesn't work, you may have better results by applying a pencil eraser. Over time the grout between your kitchen-floor tiles will get dirty, but you can clean it without too much effort. Figure A advertisement If sandpaper or an eraser fails to remove the stains and dirt, 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 (figure B), and scrub with a toothbrush (figure C). Make sure the area is well ventilated, and wear rubber or latex gloves when working with bleach. Figure B Figure C If bleach doesn't do the job, you may need to remove and replace the grout.
Use a grout-removal tool or a rotary tool with a carbide tip (figure D). After you install new grout, seal it with a grout sealer (figure E) to reduce the likelihood of future stains setting in. Reapply sealer once every two years.
Sources: diynetwork.com/diy/fc_ceramic_tile/artic... .
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What brand of grout or grouting technique do you recommend to keep grout in tile crevices without eroding away.
They are so dark & dirty looking, even with scrubbing.
Ceramic tile - beige grout that has turned dark brown from not keeping it clean.
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