tile/grout cleaning (floors, Home Depot, vacuum, color)

[nolagirl]

I'm just got a new area rug and need to have it sprayed with fabric protector. The company that is coming out to do it is offering a good deal on tile/grout cleaning. We have white tile and gray grout, I guess it's gray but it may just be dirty.

How do I know if I this will help, will I be able to tell a difference? I really don't like the tile and want to replace it at some point, but I'm wondering if this really makes it look better until then. Is there some way to test it?

[GilaMonster]

get down on your knees and scrub with a potent cleaner. Then you will see if there is a difference or not.

In my last home I had the same combination in the bathrooms, white tile and grey grout. It is a recipy for disaster because no matter what you do, you have to scrub it a lot, the contrast is just so extreme that it soon looks dirty again. I got rid of the tiles.

[altus2006]

You could scrub it with a good tile cleaner and see if it changes color. The problem with trying to clean it yourself is that the dirt will come back up through the tile grout unless you use a wet vacuum to suck the dirt out after you clean it.

I have my tile floors cleaned by a professional tile cleaner company about every two years. I never use water on the tile because the dirty water will go down into the grout and stain it.

To care for tile floors, simply sweep the floors with a microfiber dust mop at least once a week. Use a damp, not wet, cloth to clean up spills on the tile. You need to have the grout sealed so that you can wipe spills off of the grout and the water and spill will not seep into the grout.

If you can find grout the color of dirt when you buy new tile, it will make life a lot easier when caring for the floor.

When looking at homes for sale online, I notice a lot of tile floors that are some type of medium brown with dirt colored matching grout. Those floors will be much easier to keep clean looking than a pale beige tile and off white grout.

altus2006

[emailvasally]

If you just moved into the house I would reccomend going for the proffessional cleaning. You should get it proffessionally cleaned once every 2 years like the other poster stated. If they don't seal it for you, seal it yourself. It is very easy, but you do have to spend a lot of time on your hands and knees. typically it takes 2 times sealing for it to be done correctly but it may work with 1 time. the way you tell is to put a few drops of water on the grout. if it sinks in you will need to seal it again. If not, your done.

I always wash my tile floors with water. never had any problem. I also have kids and a dog so doing the once a week thing doesnt work for me.
I used to have white tile with gray grout in the bathroom and loved it. It was so easy to keep looking sparkling clean. I think it was porceline tile though which might have made a difference.

[harvster]

If you haven't gotten it done yet, I'd recommend stopping by a great grout cleaning website- http://www.GroutCleaning.com
They have professionals that hang out in their forum and a list of contractors you can contact if you have questions or want a second bid..
I stumbled onto that site ans was impressed that it's a free service.

[Erma]

I got some grout cleaner at home depot, put it in a spray bottle and used a scrub brush..what a difference! I also mop my floors with Simple Green solution and it works out great.

[applejuice]

Paint the grout....it worked like a charm!

[Keeper]

Paint the grout with what? I tried the stuff they sell in big box stores and it didn't last but a couple of months on my kitchen counter. Of course, the counter gets washed a lot.

I also bought a commercial grout cleaner and it cleaned the grout with a little scrubbing, but it is strong and you need the area to be well ventilated.