Nasty nasty grout

[CarolinaProWash]

Okay guys - the grout in our bathroom floor has gone beyond gross. I did a clean on it last year with something specialized (of course don't have the name or bottle anymore) I've tried the bleach route but it's just not getting as white as I'd like it too. What is your opinion on using oxalic acid on the bathroom floor......since it works so nicely on sidewalks, etc. I'm wondering if it will brighten the grout up so I can seal it and keep it that way?

Celeste

[squirtgun]

Try steam cleaing it before anything else.

[CarolinaProWash]

I actually do have one of those little "steam buggy" things and it didn't do the trick either. This grout is probably the same grout that was put in in 1929 and it's likely never been properly sealed. I'm afraid that it's gross through and through - I'm just really not interested in taking it all out and redoing it completely.

Celeste

[seymore]

Originally Posted by CarolinaProWash

Okay guys - the grout in our bathroom floor has gone beyond gross. I did a clean on it last year with something specialized (of course don't have the name or bottle anymore) I've tried the bleach route but it's just not getting as white as I'd like it too. What is your opinion on using oxalic acid on the bathroom floor......since it works so nicely on sidewalks, etc. I'm wondering if it will brighten the grout up so I can seal it and keep it that way?

Celeste

I would be more worried about the acid eating up the tile.

there's always regrouting ...

[CarolinaProWash]

That was my chief concern......these are Ooooold tiles, ceramic glazed, very shiny and I wasn't sure what the oxalic might do to that. I really really don't want to regrout!!

Celeste

[CarolinaProWash]

Although, I suppose if I totally ruin them, there's always the overlay work I'm doing!

Celeste

[seymore]

Originally Posted by CarolinaProWash

Although, I suppose if I totally ruin them, there's always the overlay work I'm doing!

Celeste

You talking about doing the acid wash looking concrete?

Like the house i posted a while back with the outdoor kitchen...??

The whole house has a black rustic stained concrete..

[CarolinaProWash]

No, I actually put down a thin cementous product and tape in patterns to stain. I'm not using acids for staining existing concrete surfaces for the most part, too unpredictable - I would acid stain my system if I wanted that effect.

Celeste

[seymore]

Originally Posted by CarolinaProWash

No, I actually put down a thin cementous product and tape in patterns to stain. I'm not using acids for staining existing concrete surfaces for the most part, too unpredictable - I would acid stain my system if I wanted that effect.

Celeste

I gotcha


good luck and hope you can keep from regrouting

[Ron Musgraves]

I have a tile throughout the entire house. I sealed it about 7 years ago and it still looks pretty good. I dont want to ever do it again.

Good luck

[Beth n Rod]

Pick up a grout removal tool, some new grout and grout sealer at HD and you will get better results.

All you need to do is scrape the grout out of the lines (yes it is messy but I think after doing that concrete art stuff on your mantle, this one should be right up your alley Celeste) and refill... Its really easy and you will be able to seal it this time around making future cleaning easy and less time consuming.

Rod~

[RyanH]

I used the Zep brand grout cleaner from HD on one of my accounts regularly and it worked very well. I cleaned the bathroom tile grout every 3 weeks and it always looked clean. Just apply a thin line of cleaner along the grout line, clean in a 3'x3' tile area at a time and wipe down the tile after each pass, use a brush to scrub between the lines, mop 3 or 4 times with clean water and a sponge mop when finished.

[CarolinaProWash]

Thanks Ryan - we did some deck/fence work for a Zep Rep here - I'll be he'd have something in his little goodie kit we could try!

Celeste

[Adrian]

Hi Celeste,

I hope this doesn't sound dumb on this forum but... try this.... It may just save you alot of work. I have done this with SUPER results, except that my tile is from the 60's not the 20's. But for 3.00 bucks it's worth a shot.

Clorox makes these liquid filled pens that work perfect for in between tiles.
Just squeeze out the liquid while following the existing grout lines.
After a few minutes the lines are white as chalk.

[CarolinaProWash]

Hi Adrian - I actually feel kind dumb for not trying that yet! I've cleaned with the regular bleach but not done the "pen target" thing!

Celeste