QUESTION

Cleaning Dirty Grout - Hi,I have a question regarding tile cleaning and I hope you can help. We rent our house from some acquiantances. We have only lived here since September, but the light colored tile grout is filthy. We have two dogs and I am sure that contributes. Anyway, I want to have them professionally cleaned, but I checked with the owners first just to make sure. The owners told me that the tile grout has been painted with latex paint (long story he said). Now I don't know if it is safe to have the high pressure cleaning, but absent toothbrush cleaning, we have tried everything. Will professional cleaning hurt the grout (or rather the paint on the grout)? If so, what should we do?

ANSWER

ANSWER - There are grout colorants, which are epoxy based used to change the color of grout.  Maybe that is what is meant by the latex paint or maybe they in fact did paint it with latex paint?

If they used a grout colorant and it was applied correctly it should be able to withstand cleaning.  Maybe they used some type of paint that is attracting dirt?  I would not use high pressure cleaning unless it was in a commercial kitchen or an industrial application.

The best way to clean a tile floor and the grout is to use an appropriate bristle brush on an extended handle so you can scrub standing up (do not use anything that will cause scratches).  Use an appropriate tile and grout cleaner (visit www.CTaSC.com Expert Answer's Resources for links to the websites of cleaners and sealers manufacturers).  Avoid acid based cleaners. Add the cleaner to your water and wet and scrub the tile and grout. Use a wet and dry vacuum to pick up the dirty water.  Rinse the floor again if necessary and pick up dirty water with wet and dry vacuum.

After the tile and grout is dry and is as clean as you want it to be, then apply an appropriate penetrating sealer over the tile and grout.  Within 5 minutes of the application of sealer buff dry with a lint free cloth.  The sealer will help keep dirt from clinging to the floor and help make it easier to clean, as well as help keep the floor more stain resistant.  Good luck.