What is the best way to clean grout?
It can be a difficult task to clean grout between tiles in tile flooring, bathroom tiles, or backsplashes. Keeping these areas looking new and grim-free may require both persistence and hard work. The best way to clean grout will depend on the type of grout, its location, and the degree of staining. Stains in tile grout can develop in different ways. On bathroom tiles, mold and mildew may be the main cause of staining. On kitchen tile floors, grout stains may be the result of a combination of factors like heavy foot traffic, dirt, food spills, and mildew. In some cases, grout stains may also occur over time when the grout is either not sealed with a grout sealant or because the sealant has deteriorated. Still, there are ways to clean grout and revive those dingy tiles. The best way to clean grout will depend, in part, on the degree of staining. For simple stains on bathroom tiles, floors, or backsplashes, it is best to first use mild cleaning solutions. Spraying a small section of the
NEW GROUT: Because cementitious grout is porous, sealing can help to keep grout joints clean. Allow grout to dry at least 48/hours, then make sure it is clean before sealing with a sealer recommended for grout. EXISTING GROUT: A routine for cleaning grout should be established, as occasionally cleaning with household cleaners containing acid, bleach or even vinegar will etch the tile and grout in time. There should be two types of cleaning procedures, regular ‘Routing Cleaning’ with a concentrated non-acidic phosphate free cleaner and occasional ‘Heavy Duty Cleaning’ when dirty. We recommend for Heavy Duty Cleaning: Aqua Mix ‘Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner.’ NOTE: Epoxy grouts are not porous and are easier to clean; however, they are more expensive to purchase and to install.
For old grout, scrub with wax stripper or heavy-duty cleaner solution and a grout brush to get it as clean as possible. Use bleaching cleanser on stubborn spots. Rinse well. After it’s good and dry, apply a coat of masonry sealer to keep it from absorbing so many stains and dirt in the future. For mildewed grout in tub and shower enclosures, scrub with a 1:5 solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water, then rinse. For colored grout: If the grout is old and dirty, you’ll want to clean it with a heavy-duty (no bleach) cleaner and a grout brush. Once the grout is clean, apply a coat of masonry sealer on it to keep it from absorbing so many stains and dirt in the future. If colored grout is very stained, you may want to try a mixture of 1:5 liquid chlorine bleach and water, then rinse. Keep in mind, however, that bleach may remove the color along with the stain.
What can be done to eliminate a white film or powder in grout joints? Can existing dirty grout be re-grouted? APPEARANCE/USE What is the difference between standard “ceramic” tiles and porcelain tiles? Tile terminology can be confusing. Most types of tiles that are made from clay or a mixture of clay and other materials, then kiln-fired, are considered to be a part of the larger classification called “Ceramic Tiles”. These tiles can be split into two groups, porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. These non-porcelain tiles are frequently referred to as “ceramic” tiles by themselves, separate from porcelain tiles. “Ceramic” or non-porcelain tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall tile and floor tile applications, are softer and easier to cut than porcelain, and usually carry a PEI 0 to 3 rating. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suit
