Welcome to another installment of Ask a Pro! Today we are talking to Dream Team member and interior design pro Jennifer Adams about the best way to treat dirty grout.
Q: I am at my wits end with the dirty grout on my floor tile. Have tried commercial product cleaners and home remedies – vinegar, baking soda, etc. and nothing really works. I tried a re-coloring product that helped for a little while but now looks like back to square one. I think the grout was never sealed to begin with. I want to sell the property but also need to live with it right now. Help!
-Ruth D.
A: This is indeed a very frustrating problem, Ruth. I’ve dealt with it in so many ways, my favorite being not using white grout in the first place. But, even colored and gray grout gets dirty. Sealing is the best to help keep grout protected from damage and dirt. But, sealing needs to be re-done yearly or more often, depending on the amount of wear your tile gets.
And, many harsh cleaners, especially acidic ones and bleach may deteriorate the grout further, allowing dirt and stains to get deep inside the grout. If you haven’t tried a non-acidic cleaner yet, try that — they sell them in the tile sections of major home improvement stores.
If you’re happy with the result, let the grout dry thoroughly and re-seal. If you’re not satisfied, you may need to call in a tile contractor to professionally clean, or even re-grout your tile. Good luck and tell us how it goes!
-Jennifer A.