Green Building Forum - Cleaning grout

Cleaning grout

Rex — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:22:47 +0100

What ho one and all,

Having installed a replacement wash basin and therefore new silicone, decided to remove and re-silicone the bath and shower. Can't believe how such a little bit of renewal makes the bathroom look fresher.

However, the grout is looking a little jaded. Have seen the 'grout paint' and read various comparison reviews but am sceptical.

What is considered the 'best' to get the grout back to fresh and perhaps white again?

Thanks and toodle pip

Cleaning grout

revor — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:33:16 +0100

Get a rake out tool and rake out and re-grout. If the original grout has been dragged out when originally done with too wet a sponge then you may be able to over-grout. I would not use grout paint it won't look right.

Cleaning grout

Rex — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:04:33 +0100

It does not look as bad as my post implies, just a little jaded, particularity around the lower edges. Re-grouting would be quite a major task so will give it some thought. Even new grout on the jaded section will be too obvious. And I do agree about the paint, not a way that I want to go. Just wondered if there was anything the would 'whiten' it a little. Bleach has not had much effect. Perhaps, rather than removing, removing the surface with wet and dry?

Unfortunately, don't have anything to test on.

Cleaning grout

SteveZ — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 15:43:45 +0100

Having got the same problem, I have used a grout based product from, I think, Polycell. It is a thick liquid and has a sponge applicator, which you run along the grout line. It does cover well and looks ok, but the mould always returns. The job is pretty easy and quick, and I really don't want to grind out the old grout!

It is worth going over the grubby grout first with an old toothbrush or similar using soap and water or your choice of cleaning powder - good luck !

Cleaning grout

revor — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:39:36 +0100

Posted By: SteveZIt is worth going over the grubby grout first with an old toothbrush or similar using soap and water or your choice of cleaning powder - good luck !

You could try a week solution of hydrogen peroxide. You can get food grade peroxide which is about 12% and dilute down to about 3%. (Take necessary safety protection) Will certainly kill any mould around and hopefully bleach the grout clean. I have used H2O2 in a fuming unit to clean my polytunnel with very good effect so even it it does not whiten up your grout it will sterilise the area for anything you put on the surface afterwards.

Cleaning grout

DavidND — Fri, 21 Apr 2023 09:52:34 +0100

Posted By: revor
Posted By: SteveZIt is worth going over the grubby grout first with an old toothbrush or similar using soap and water or your choice of cleaning powder - good luck !

You could try a week solution of hydrogen peroxide. You can get food grade peroxide which is about 12% and dilute down to about 3%. (Take necessary safety protection) Will certainly kill any mould around and hopefully bleach the grout clean. I have used H2O2 in a fuming unit to clean my polytunnel with very good effect so even it it does not whiten up your grout it will sterilise the area for anything you put on the surface afterwards.

THere is only one truly effective way. Replacement. Using bleach or peroxide will indeed kill bacteria but it also begins to break down the grout and makes it more porous in the future - thereby shortening said cycle.

If you use a multitool and take out the old grout (agree it's a pain) and then use an epoxy grout it'll last for virtually ever.

Cleaning grout

Charli — Tue, 02 May 2023 14:21:36 +0100

Magic bleach gel: https://musthaveideas.co.uk/products/mould-magic
Sticks to the grout and kills everything, it seems.
Probably doesn't do it any good in the long run, but it does get it white!

Cleaning grout

Rex — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:36:53 +0100

My grout is not mouldy, just not looking as white as it could. That is not to imply it is very dirty, just slightly off-white in the wet areas when compared with the grout that does not get wet.

Cleaning grout

bogal2 — Thu, 11 May 2023 22:05:35 +0100

Scrubbing with sodium bicarb works well.