My kitchen floor has a tan grout. Obviously, grout darkens with time, but some areas (high traffic) are darker than other. The floor is washed on a regular basis, but I know there is some dirt lurking on the grout.

The grout was sealed when we put the floor in three years ago. A "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser" rubbed on the grout lines comes up dirty...but I'm not sure I should be using this on the grout. It's all in good shape and I don't want problems, but I'd like to prevent it from darkening too much and I'd like keep it cleaner than it seems to be.

Suggestions?

 

My suggestion is;

1) Clean the grout thoroughly avoid using bleach products.
2) Once it is clean and dry apply a top quality sealer.
3) You should be able to find it at a tile/flooring store.
4) Take a small cloth soaked in the sealer and wipe each grout line.
5) Wait a few minutes and the wipe all the excess sealer off, buffing the whole tile area.
6) Re-seal the grout once a year.

Because of the porous nature of grout it will tend to attract grime and eventually the stained grout will have to be replaced but by then some re-modeling will in order anyways.

 

I sealed it when the floor was installed. I'm sure it's likely time to seal it again. not a difficult project, but a PIA. I don't want to seal in any dirt...

Perhaps a stop at the tile store today might be in order.

By the time this grout needs to be replaced, or we are due for another kitchen remodel, I could very well be in assisted living or worse.....

 

Until you changed the title, I thought this post was asking for medical advice.

 

Equal parts vinegar and water usually works well or a paste of baking soda and water also works. You still will have to do some scrubbing with a still brush, but either of these should remove most of the staining.

 

A little birdie sent me a PM... I figure gout would be something a few Vints can relate to as well.

 

They have commerical products for cleaning gruout at tile store. They work well. I would just do that and try to steam it out if you have one of those steamer. Small stiff brush is your friend. Brass brush for cleaning automotive should work fine. Still, steam is fast and I think best. Seal with 511 or a commerical sealer. Wait 2 day or so before you seal. If it is cold, you need more time.

 

Thanks.

Never made it to the tile store. Maybe that will be my "mission" for tomorrow.

 

Ours was nasty enough that I wanted to clean and re-seal it so I used the cleaner that Home Depot recommended for pre-seal cleaning.

 

Use commericial grout cleaners. You have to seal the grout regularly. +1 uses limeaway with a brush and claims results.