Major grout problem help neeeded

[Edison'smom]

Have been in our new home 3 years... found out much later that the ivory colored grout was not sealed by builder as we assumed. For the past 3 years now we have tried, and failed to get this grout clean enough to then have it sealed. Have used everything we can think of, but the grout always looks dirty(even tried Mr. Clean magic eraser with little result) Help!
I have looked on the Internet for help and so far the only thing I can think of left to try is one of those color/seal products that will change the color of the grout (or match it, if I can) Are these products any good? Would that work? :crazy: Is there any special 'prep work' needed before using a product like that? Can you recommend products to me? the exisiting grout is a color called 'pearl'... sort of any off white. I don't want to go darker if that could be avoided. I don't have a clue if this is sanded or not sanded grout since I don't even know the difference. We have a huge kitchen,foyer, halls, all done with large ceramic tile (beige & ivory tones in it) Then also 12 inch ceramic tile in both bathrooms and the laundry room. Neither my husband nor I are able to do alot of physical work, so we may have to pay someone to help us... no other choices, retiring in 5 years and will be relocating but I sure cant live with this much longer. I would so much apprciate any and all help you can offer me. If there are any questions, please respond & I will answer as much as I know. Thank You! Carole

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[Mike2]

Hi Carole.

I'm going to move your question over to our Cleaning, Restoration and Sealing section for some top notch advice. They can tell you about some cleaning solutions to use first before going down the colorant/stain path.

:)

[geobarn61]

I clean with specialized products and high pressure. My suggestion would be to try the site http://www.tile-cleaning.com/ to find a professional in your area.

Once cleaned make sure the person instructs you on maintaining the surfaces. It will be much easier to maintain after cleaning and sealing.

[Davestone]

You can do as Geo says,or there are do it yourself alternatives,if you don't want to hire someone, of course,i could give you many links, but it all boils down to needing, a heavy duty grout cleaner, a stiff brush,or buffer,and a wet vac.Aquamix, Miracle,Prosoco,and one we carry here,Stonetech, all have complete lines of cleaners and grout and tile restore products.Google any of them and they will give you complete instructions.The grout (stains) work very well,i like to clean the grout well anyway so it sucks the stain in. :bow:

[claycarson]

Edison's Mom, you might want to try carpet cleaning companies. Oddly enough, many of them offer tile and grout cleaning using some of the same pressure and vacuum trucks they clean carpet with.

Or try www.iicrc.org and look for companies certified in stone, masonry and tile cleaning. I find it easier to speak with the operators than to use their search function.

[Edison'smom]

Thank you for all your suggestions! This time I am attaching pictures of the grout- one with the 'cleanest looking, and the other two how most ofd the floor looks. :shake: I first tried the tile-cleaning website for a professional- doesn't seem to be any in my area :bang: same with iicr site. I read about the Stonetech grout cleaner, then checked out the Aquamix brand. I am abit concerned on which to try because of the 'warnings' etc. with them. What I mean is, are they safe for me to use on a kitchen floor, safe with a 13 pound little dog enhaling any of the products, and most important too, my cabinets are all white, same with base board- can any of the products harm them in anyway? I am really showing my stupidity right now I guess, but don't want to make a new problem to deal with. i did ask at a tile sore awhile back, they said I could hire someone from their store that would 'steam clean' the grout with a steam cleaner thing- cost was prohibitive for us- wanted $800 just to use this steamer on it (no idea how big the steamer was, or what power,etc. it had) And then wanted alot more money to seal it (material and labor) We are not cheap and believe in paying a fair price for anything we need done that we can't handle ourselves, but starting at $800 and then going up from there- well, just can't swing that much money.
Again- all suggestions will be appreciated! Thank you.

[Davy]

I have used Aqua-Mix heavy dudy grout cleaner, the grout was darker though. Seemed to look good aftreward, I did havta scrub with a brush. :)

[claycarson]

Edison's Mom -

We deal with this type of tile grout all the time.

It looks soiled, but definitely not the worst I've seen.

The procedure we use can be duplicated by a homeowner, but most would not bother. It involves a high alkaline cleaning liquid, mop and bucket, scrubbing machine, wet vacuum, low pH acid solution, scrub brushes made for tile grout, elbow grease, time and a fan to dry it off. It's enough work to do a kitchen that you will not begrudge paying for it by the time it's done. We would charge a minimum of $360 for a normal size kitchen, and it might be more for a large kitchen. Use the high alkaline first and scrub it while very wet, then wetvacuum it away before it dries back into the tile. Don't use a cheap wetvac, rent a commercial one at a janitorial equipment store or Home Depot if they have them. Rinse the floor and then use the acid cleaning solution with the same procedure. Acid can be dangerous - It can hurt chrome, metal, stainless steel, marble, or your hands. After the acid, neutralize the pH by damp mopping the floor with an alkaline again to make sure no acid still sits inside the grout, eating away at it.

Neither type of liquid is harmful in the sense of leaving residue (except as noted above) but while it's wet, all kids and pets out of the house, please.

If it just doesn't budge, you can definitely recolor the grout lines. You can go lighter if you want, but remember that white in a kitchen just won't look white for long. (I have a white kitchen floor, so I am a leading authority on the subject and a hypocrite to boot!)

Recoloring is a whole nother topic, so just try the cleaning first and you may not need all the other stuff. If you do, I like the stuff sold at www.iafsystems.com (http://www.iafsystems.com) Arlene, the proprietress (spelling?) does not post grout color charts, but her competitor over at www.thisoldgrout.com does, excellent ones that match all grouts.

The product is not that hard to use, in my opinion. But you could find yourself sitting on that floor for the better part of a day or so...maybe 2 if you have no helper to hoodwink into assisting you.

If this doesn't get your do-it-yourself chromosomes all excited, and you'd prefer someone else to do all this blue collar for you, let me know what town you live in and I may be able to find someone local who practices these odd arts. We actually do have a bulletin board for those of us which do such stuff, over at The Grout Cleaning Board - Mostly for Pro's (http://dirtygrout.com/forums/index.php?) Even though it's mostly pro's talking to each other, you can log in if you want.

You did not say how large the kitchen was. $800 sounds high to me for a normal size kitchen, but it may be fair if it's huge and they have to move furniture. But it's not a $85 task no matter how you look at it....

[geobarn61]

If you have no choice but doing it yourself. Get grout brush, resembles a bottle brush, large tooth brush, waterproof gloves, lots of rags, mop, bucket, and a fan.

Work in small areas. Choose one of the cleaners you have, non-toxic Simple Green if you're looking for retail option, and wet the grout lines until they pond. If you can't see the solution puddled on top of the grout, it's too dry. After 10 minutes, do not allow to dry, or so and begin scrubbing the lines with grout brush, touch up darker areas with toothbrush. Remove the cleaner and rinse with water, twice.

Sealer may not be an option. You can't rinse the grout enough without the proper equipment.

If you have the plenty of time, this may work. Can't assure you it will work. This will also fall short of professional results. Use above at your own risk.

[Edison'smom]

I purchased the Aqua Heavy Duty Grout cleaner- spent 3 days and a broken back) on my hands & knees- grout doesn't look any better- Yes, followed directions completely. I am at the point now where I believe a Pro is my only way to go- short of removing the :eek: grout and having it redone completely. So- I think I need to find someone who can get this grout clean, and then can seal itfor us. OR- if that doesn't work- have someone re-color it? I do have a very large kitchen, foyer, and hall, all with the same tile and dirty/stained/ grout. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago- zip is 60463 if ANYONE can get me intouch with the right people to do this work for me, I would so much appreciate it if you could e-mail me their information. i have gone so far as to ask my husband how expensive it would be to tear out this 3 year old ceramic tile and replace the whole thing with hardwood floors- We need to live here for 5 more years before selling & moving out of state. Our home is just 3 years old. Sorry if I am giving too much information.
CLAY I tried to register at the website you mentioned- tried at least 10 times, each time something was wrong, so I finally gave up.

[Tile-cleaning]

You can hire someone or you can now do it the easy way since youve done so much work now.

Go to thisoldgrout.com and purchase the color grout sealer you need. Then just put it down with a tooth brush, make sure you wipe off any excess from the tile as you go. You may need 2 coats but it will fix your problem of even color and still seal it at the same time.