Grout and Tile Cleaning

 

Grout and Tile Cleaning

Question:
I have flood water mud and I guess mold stains from this on my tile floor. What can I use to get this stuff up and have my floor back to being cleaned again.
Answer:

I am assuming that you are talking about ceramic tile...any good cleaner that you can mix in a bucket of water and a scotch bright pad (a scrubby) and some elbow grease should remove your mold and dirt.

Question:
I have installed ceramic tile on a wall in the bathroom, and got a lot of the new white grout onto the floor tile grout. Is there a way to remove the lighter grout haze from the dark floor grout?
Answer:

There is a product that we carry at Best Tile called a" grout eraser" It generally is used to restore old dirty grout by removing the very top layer of your grout. It is a rubbery abrasive thing that you hold in your hand. I think this would work perfectly. Although you could also try some sand paper too.

Question:
We tiled our floor almost a year ago. We had what looked like dirt on our floor but it was mortar instead. I thought that through many times of mopping it would wear off. Wrong! Do you have any suggestions for getting this off?
Answer:

Some elbow grease will probably be required combined with a strong tile and grout cleaner. Some light scraping may be required as well but be sure to use a plastic scraper that will not scratch the tile.

Question:
Is there a solution to use to clean the dirty grout between my ceramic tiles?
Answer:

As part of a regular cleaning practice, there is a product made by TileLab (Grout & Tile Cleaner). It is a non-acidic formula that cuts through grease, stains and soap scum. A little elbow grease, potentially with a toothbrush, you should be on your way. Some people use a solution of bleach and water to attack tough stains. If done, you should not do this frequently, as bleach can break down the grout. It is not a recommended treatment.

Question:
We installed ceramic tiles with a fairly light colored grout in our kitchen three years ago. I sealed the grout as recommended. I now find the grout is getting very dark and stained, scrubbing with the solutions to clean grout doesn't work very well. What do you recommend to restore the color, and does steam cleaning do a good job?
Answer:

Probably the best grout cleaner that I have come across is called HG Grout Cleaner - however, how well it works is going to depend on a number of factors (i.e. - what did you seal with originally, what did you clean with, what you have gotten on the grout ?). If that cleaner does not work for you, the best way to restore the color is to scrape the grout out and regrout the backsplash.

Question:
Is there a product that you recommend to clean my tile and grout? I have heard of the product called stain solver oxygen bleach. Is this a good product ?
Answer:

I am not familiar with that particular product, but the main thing to look for in a grout cleaner is something that is NOT acidic. The acid can deteriorate your grout over time. I have used Tilelab grout & tile cleaner since my tile was newly installed 5 years ago and love the product. Tilelab also has a products for more severe cleaning requirements. They have Tilelab Grout cleaner designed to cut through stains, mold and mildew. There is also a heavy duty cleaner/stripper for more extreme cases as required.

Question:
What is the best way to clean grout in the tile around the bathtub?
Answer:

This is one of the most asked questions....there are many cleaners on the market, some kind of wimpy, some first class. Not too many home cleaners are equipped to do the job, so a purchase is necessary. We recommend a brand " StoneTech", it's listed as Grout Cleaner. Remember to use rubber gloves, open the window for ventilation, follow the directions and it should do the job. As a final step also purchase their Grout Sealer, it will help prolong the next cleaning.

Question:
We had our bathroom tiled a couple of years ago and the grout has yellowed and hardened in some spots. Is there anything we can use to clean it?
Answer:

Regular maintenance with an appropriate tile/grout cleaner is key. You do not want to use anything acidic to clean, as this will deteriorate your grout over time. TileLab has a great product line for regular cleaning, as well as products available for more severe cleaning requirements.

Question:
Just had Italian ceramic tiles put down and the grout is not only two different colors but a pretty sloppy job. Can the kitchen floor be regrouted by a professional? I put a lot of money into my kitchen and my floor looks terrible.
Answer:

The grout can be removed by hand and redone. Call the store or installer to see where the responsibility lies, or if there is an issue with the grout. I assume you did not hire a professional installer from a reputable store.

Question:
I just installed a ceramic tile floor. To remove the white film on the floor I used a haze remover. It worked great on the tiles but now my grout has a white haze on it that will not come off. How do I clean it?
Answer:

Start with a grout cleaner - available at your building supply store. If that does not remove the haze, you may have to resort to a grout stain of the color you want. And keep this in mind - after all that work, you should consider a grout sealer to protect it.