New grout already stained from cleaning

[awilson5512]

About a month ago we had our tile replaced. They used Mapei ultracolor plus fa in a light gray color. They told use sealing it wasn't necessary. Now after a few times of cleaning the tile, I've noticed most of it has stained darker. Our laundry has been cleaned once and has much less traffic and that grout is still the same color. I took some bleach to the grout today and scrubbed it and sure enough the dirt came out and it dried back to the light color.

So my question is, should we go ahead and seal the grout anyways? Will this help with keeping the grout it's light color? We also have some grout haze that needs to be removed. I tried vinegar and water but that didn't seem successful. I used bona cleaner on the floors and I think that's helped some. I have clean-eez grout cleaner and sealer being delivered tomorrow so I can clean all the grout and get to color back.

[awilson5512]

Here are some photos for example. First is of our kitchen where the grout is darker and then our laundry room where it's still lighter. Last photo you can see where it transitions from light to dark because I got lazy cleaning under our table.

[cx]

Welcome, Ashley.

From the MAPEI website:

Originally Posted by MAPEI TDS

LIMITATIONS
• Sealing is not required. However, a high-performance penetrating grout
sealer may still be applied from MAPEI’s UltraCare™ family of sealers, which
includes Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer; and Penetrating Plus
SB Stone & Porcelain Tile Sealer. Follow the directions provided in the
UltraCare Maintenance Guide.

Type grout haze into the Search By Title box here.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Welcome to the forum, Ashley!

Can I ask if the floor is being cleaned with a mop...or something else?

[awilson5512]

I use just a mop but I'm going to start using a scrub mrush for the grout lines

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Unfortunately, a mop is not the best choice for cleaning tile floors. It’s biggest downfall is redepositing dirty mop water into the grout joints where it dries and leaves your grout dirtier than when you started. If you really want to use a mop, grout brush, or other method that uses a lot of water/cleaner, then the use of a wet vac immediately after scrubbing becomes your best friend by removing the dirty water from the grout surface...though a heavy, cumbersome friend, at that.

Otherwise, the Swiffer-type of damp towelettes are better for tile floors, as they clean the tile, while leaving the grout joints alone.

[John Bridge]

Hi Ashley,

I'll add that most grouts used on floors contain aggregates that catch dirt even though the grout is "stain proof." Tonto's advice is right on.