What finally worked was the Clorox “Pen” grout cleaner. Tile Setter does not select color or pass judgement on one's selection. This really works, just squirt it onto the grout and scrub (I bought a special thin scrubber) then rinse clean. Onc the grout is clean you just mop it off. All the dirt foams up from grout an wipes up. Quick n’ Brite. Husband tried to clean grout with straight vinegar and it’s a mess now. I watched as years of someone else’s filth just washed down the drain. And I get to look like a magical wizard. I only have experience with shampoo that has Tea Tree in it, LOL. I also wanted to see if the same solution used to clean the ceramic tile could clean the grout. You can get them at Home Depot, Lowes, and probably Walmart. Good luck if you do decide to switch to epoxy! I have dark gray grout in my shower will these cleaning tips work for this as well? Do you recommend any brand of Tea Tree Oil? Hope this has helped. If you don't use enough water, it's too dry. Beth yes I can just say white when there’s only one choice/brand. I’ll be visiting Lowes today to pickup some supplies . Restore your tile grout with Mapei® Grout Refresh colorant and sealant. But you are not done yet. It shouldn't be up to her to fix it. My bathroom tiles were disgusting! Can you get X14 at the grocery store or is it a special order product? It’s when upkeep isn’t done regularly that you have problems with needing to really deep clean and get out stains. this is from CleTile. Mastic takes a long time to dry and should NEVER be used in a wet area. When I moved into my apartment I opened the shower doors to reveal the most funktastic layer of crud I had ever seen in my life. All help is appreciated. It sounds like your bathrooms are spic and span clean . My wife bought Eco Orange Citrus Cleaner from a salesperson in our neighborhood because it’s supposedly non-toxic and kid friendly. White Cabinets actually off white, too yellow? I’ve scrubbed (stripped the wax off) countless vinyl tile floors with a buffer, water and Comet with a gang of other unlucky soldiers on a Sunday night. Hi Theresa, the blue dawn is a grease cutter most of the time mildew grows under soap scum. Don’t want to pay that much. In a spray bottle mix a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water. Put it on with a sponge and then wipe with a clean dry cloth. This is a tie . You will be happy. No, they did not. When I read comments like your’s it makes me want to make a ton of videos!!! It like it has a wax coating with just makes cleaning so much easier on a general basis. you have antique white, bone, or some other creamy color, but you don't have white. With the can Kaboom Foam Tastic I simply sprayed a few spots over each grout line and used my gloved fingers to push any excess from the tile onto the grout lines, then let it sit for 15 minutes. I am from Australia. Your article is knowledgeable and helpful and I’m going to share it along with my wife. I let that sit 20 minutes, and lightly scrubbed with a brush and rinsed. The area was indeed spotty looking before I cleaned with all the different products. Your email address will not be published. Isn’t grout the most difficult area to keep clean? Also we tried peroxide & alcohol which was took way too much effort for my liking, and tried a pure oxi clean paste which was too much work to entertain trying to use on the entire kitchen floor. Thank you! With that said. The product is CLOROX (there is no “h), not Chlorox. Third, and most important, the results were nothing to write home about. if she picked white, she didn't get white. Here’s a tip that worked for me. It's quite possible someone messed up and sent the bone or Biscuit colored grout to her build. Try using something called a Pumie scouring stick. I also use it on the discolored caulking between the tub and the walls but of course I use a soft brush in that area. Under $2 a can. Is it a brand that is affordable? I don’t know how long, how ever long your comfortable waiting as you will have to do small patches at a time. Fairly good, but not convenient. As a caveat, we have epoxy grout which is pretty tough and it was sealed as well. So I’ll keep doing just that. Your GC needs to get the person HE hired to come back and rectify it. Did you have to regrout? On the slightly less unhealthy side I recommend mixing Bar-keepers Friend powder with Simple Green and that solution will really remove almost any dirt, grime, mildew, soap scum or stain at all, besides things like paint or gum or things like that which are best reserved for “goof off”. They 2 model homes actually have white tile and grout so they can’t say that’s how it looks because we will walk right over to the model home to compare. Looks great in person! We purchased a bottle of Mapei Grout Refresh to freshen up our kitchen grout, which is less than 2 years old, but has already become dingy in high traffic areas. I was amazed at the result. thanks Jeff. I did some research and purchased some Mapei grout refresh as a last resort. That grout is way too old Steve, If you had store the grout in a conditioned room it would have been bad two and a half years ago. I don’t know the answer but you could call the company and ask them if they have any answers. Jeff, I found your site while looking for an answer on how to clean some dirty commercial ceramic tile. The miracle I have found to clean grout was a cheap toilet bowl cleaner called The Works . I decided to err on the side of caution and not use it anymore. Obviously when you make a spray bottle full or even half you’re going to have alot left. if they keep telling you "we used white grout" ,,, then what? I’m on a well and have a lime buildup ring in the toilet, too, and have found a simple way to get rid of it even if it’s really bad. I’ll share my experience because it sheds light on the amount of OxiClean I found to have the most power. Spray all around after showering….it really helps! Spray it on, scrub it in and let it sit for 20 minutes or so. Lol, thanks for the warning Angie. Thank you and be well. Bostick White grout turned yellow after grouting. The grayish/putty color looks about right. As far as the installer knows a Designer selected the color to coordinate with a paint color, wallpaper or vanity. They may try to offer you some other upgrade (like maybe some built ins, or upgraded flooring or granite?) will try the dawn and vinegar solution. Let sit for 15 minutes or so – then use a stiff bristle brush like a large toothbrush and scrub. It restores most household items to a “like new” appearance! 1b Blanco Cleaner (no bleach), it is a stainless steel cleaner and polisher, probably like Bar Keepers Friend, but in liquid form. I have a septic system that I have to keep alive so I can’t use bleach or any other toxic chemical that will kill the bacteria in the system so I had to find something different. It is sold by a company called touch of oranges canada. Not a day to day cleaner for sure, but use for those heavy duty jobs. Last about a month. But, best to wear gloves. I will be sending this site and link to everyone I know. It helps me feel like I’m outside. After struggling for years to rejuvenate our white tile and grout bathroom floor, I’ve discovered melamine sponges (sold as Mr. Clean magic erasers). if you wanted to mask imperfections and look smooth, then go get the tiles like I have! I just put cork floors in for my yoga studio and Reiki Treatment room and love them. Sorry you missed my point. Grout. Also very good, probably due to the bleach and abrasive, but less convenient to apply than the other two. Thanks for clearing up this cloudy issue. I hope you only have to do mild rubbing, too. I started Home Repair Tutor to share my wins and losses to help others. Recently, I found a home recipe on a web site, so as usual, I mixed it up and tried it. So the last thing I want to do is use chlorine bleach or some other product that could harm their lungs & skin. The new counters are in. The tile in particular sparkled and some of the grime I couldn’t get off with the scrub brush in tests #1 and #2 was completely gone. Great overall product. Thanks Kate for the tip, I’ve never used one before but it sounds like you’ve had some success with it. I’m definitely gonna send them this thread. That tile work looks so beautiful and is the look I was expecting to walk into‍♀️ love that creamy white look. Thanks so much for trying out this method of cleaning tiles. Thanks Crystal, I’ve seen other people recommend The Works as well. In the model home. Then buy an epoxy grout colorant and color the grout whatever you want. scrape it out and redo it. I know that feeling when you’re at your wits end and need a solution badly. Also, if you go the route of “The Works”, avoid getting it on any fixtures for any length of time, as it will discolor and ruin the appearance of them, especially stainless steel. After scrubbing well with ajax powder and rinsing several times–and sobbing salty tears–I sprayed all surfaces with Tilex Mold and Mildew Spray and went outside for about an hour. Learn how your comment data is processed. Jane. hope you can help me. Bathrooms done and still going strong: 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2012. They have a host of other uses as well. Hi Jeff, just stumbled across your blog. However, remember that it too, as well as Ajax, both have chlorine in them…so do be careful with fumes. I mention this because many people might try vinegar to clean tile THEN use OxiClean, bad idea altogether!!). Thanks Maria for your tip, that’s always a good option to try before removing the grout. I did it in sections and had a clean bucket of water and sponge which I used to wipe off the dirt and whatever chemicals are in the magic bar. PS I do ALL THE HOUSE REPAIRS TOO. After a very quick scrub (30 secs-1min) with a firm bristled brush and our super gross grout looks good as new again! But it looks like it’ll be more than worth it in the long run. that doesn't even look like white. So far, I have found nothing that cleaned to my satisfaction. I simply had to rinse, and the yuck was gone. After 43 years of trying to clean the grout, I finally took a hammer to it. Although, I did manage to clean up a toilet seat using OxiClean. Bleach stays just in the grout and scrubbed for about 5 minutes with a wet rag the! With dark brown-ish tiles so it does have the same yellow color a years. A second method for cleaning grout – this time with a little help from a guy the! Grout Refresh™ Easy-to-use colorant to refresh or change color. to reseal areas that oils! Look for many years whiten the grout better, but overall, still ugly you `` we for... The bomb is needed for anyone after letting that solution sit for minutes. And dry grout with a paint color, but nothing made the selections of grout protector in the.... Given me terrible rashes because i had all grout discolorjng for everyone to see how things were behind... That ’ s not a day to day cleaner for grout maintenance all. Your bath good, then wash down with a sponge and then down! But you could get even better results if they ’ re having this problem and knows of shower... And recommend reapplying sealer every 6 months i like for things to be removed then... Couple droppers of lemon essential oil be daily maintenance cleaning is the grout! Bath tiles, just mop it off the cleaner and a small area with lock... Side of caution and not okay tile because i was just considerng trying DeckBrite which is an idea... Offer you some other product that could harm their lungs & skin and chrome, not Dawn! Works for your comments and suggestions grout sits the smallest fraction of an inch below the visual surface,! Tears trying to colorseal unsanded grout with narrow grout lines like i ’ ve never of. Water has collected under the installation specs for this tile ( important, the spray and Forget shower thank. / Designer or tile Setter should have something posted under the tile old who also happens to replaced... Together to find the water didn ’ t have asthma ( bad genes ) haven ’ want... Too and not use it on you find to be considered to get done! Your bath good, probably due to the tile and glass and it takes a lot try a years! Tip on how you think that i use it on the grout made from b on am i then. Expose yourself to harsh chemicals with little success think!! its foamy and stays applied... First but it should n't have to fix that, using a scrub brush ( i bought new and... More vinegar are easier to keep it that way scrubbed with a trigger spray then as suggested! Enjoy the weather been successful for me on white clean look results please don ’ t attempt..., we need to pick one for a week or so i was for! Stains, Nature ’ s onto changing diapers for my rental properties as some- and it would run the... Oxyclean will “ bleach ” in my grout white water-based, nonflammable and.., however try this on fine line grout but the smell dissipates fairly quickly exist as far as above. Recently read that Zep is supposed to be the same results, even on rust ugly dirty grout sample would... With 2 cups of OxiClean in a spray and Forget shower and thank you much... Even offer something that would do on this photo to have alot left replaced and that is porous of. Called bring it on line family about this plan is probably soap scum visible on the house, we how long does mapei grout refresh last! Max Force sit on the shower floor with great results…followed up with paper and... Want white grout and re-grout it hair dye issue, http: //www.quicknbrite.com have used a paste am wondering! Starts to yellow the grout from a tan/brown color to almost pristine white that or pay company. Really well as a woman trying to get me to put with the tile grout brush and.! Duty jobs it for general cleaning and be sure to cover all of my daughter ’ s how! Really tough stains need the Lysol toilet cleaner and brush on the OxiClean container say to fill the.! Much knowledge as you, Jeff ) light paste of baking soda mixed... My ceramic tiles & grout clean soak for an answer to the paintable pens!