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Cleaning Tips Design Dilemma Bathrooms

HELP! Dark stains from grout on light gray tile.

6 years ago

I just redid my parents' bathroom and unfortunately did not get around to cleaning the grout off until a couple of days later. The result in the photo is horrible! This is after cleaning with a brass wire brush and abrasive cleaner. Does anyone have any advice for getting rid of the stains easily? It is a porcelain tile.

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Martina Collom Design

6 years ago

What a nice gift for your parents! I am glad you were able to fix the issue.

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Comments (12)

kayled
6 years ago
Yiiiikes. Grout is not a project you can just come back to a few days later, as you've learned the hard way.

What type of grout did you use? That will be crucial to figuring out what to do. Don't use anything metal to scrub it off, you'll ruin the tile. If this is a regular, unsanded grout you'll have to just use water, time, and elbow grease. Soak, soak, soak with water and scrub with a nylon scrub brush. Try a small area at a time and see if you can make progress.
Brent thanked kayled
Brent
Original Author
6 years ago
It is a sanded grout from Polyblend.
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kayled
6 years ago
Pre mixed? all the washing might make the color uneven., but polyblend makes grout paint in matching tints. I'd be Nervous about scrubbing off sanded grout, it might act like sandpaper on your tiles. Contact the manufacturer and see if they have any suggestions.
Brent
Original Author
6 years ago
No it was from a bag and I mixed it. I'm worried it is irreparable since I used a brass brush...
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
6 years ago
It's a rip out. What waterproofing is underneath?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
Sorry but no fix for this . I have no idea why you would have left this job 1/2 finished unless it was a huge emergency.I hate to say it but the tile job looks a bit sloppy with different size grout lines and a poor layout in the corner and I also am wondering about how you waterproofed the space. Hard lesson to learn but this is a redo since you have now also scratched all the til so will be impossible to keep clean even if you found a miracle to remove the grout
thatsmuchbetter
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You can try A strong mixture of sulfamic acid crystals and a Heavy nylon scrub pad and brush.

You will indeed also strip the color out of the grout with successive attempts and etch any stone that may be in the shower mosaic or floor.

Doubtful youll get it all if its been more than a few days. Otherwise as CTEC says its a tear out. Tiling is so easy anyone can do it go ahead build your own mess.

Thats a selective picture lets see the rest of it
User
6 years ago
That is a gut and do over. Hire an actual Pro.
Brent
Original Author
6 years ago
Ended up okay after putting cement grout haze remover on tiles and scrubbing with cup brush attachment to drill. Grout lines are a little uneven but it's got redgard and I'm caulking the corners and bottom.
Brent
Original Author
6 years ago
Might I add it was rushed because we were trying to get the project done while they were out of town. And my brother was the one who recommended waiting to clean off the grout!
petlover
6 years ago
Hooray...happy you were able to fix it !
Brent thanked petlover

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