The grout color was protected for a while with normal cleaning. They have continued to darken over the past couple of years and I wanted to again return them to the original color. I have now tried most everything I can find, including phosphoric acid (which worked the first time) and cannot lighten them up very much Two comments. First, acid washing will generally only work once. How acid works is it reacts with the lime in the grout, which releases the dirt. Acid should only be used for removing grout haze initially after grouting... if even then-- never just for the purpose of cleaning. Second, I've said this in here many times, including in the FAQ's on the gallery side of this forum-- Sealing grout will not stop grout from showing traffic patterns, or aging (darkening). The best thing you can do is use medium to dark grouts in high traffic areas, and if you really want the lighter colors, your best bet is a grout colorant. One other thing-- in answer to your question about the acid removing sealer, it won't touch it. If you want to remove the sealer, use an ammonia based cleaner with a floor machine.

Oxyclean and hot water, mixed as recommended on the side of the tub.

We have stone pebbles and three coats of sealer/enhancer on both the stones and grout. I don't know the types because the contractor did it and we don't have the packages. we put on three coats to keep the stones looking wet and darker. But I do know that it isn't slippery at all. the stones are very agreeably bumpy underfoot. we've only been using this shower for about a month, but so far I am totally pleased with the choice.

I spoke to one of the workers today and told him it was industry standard to use this plastic. I don't know anything about curbs or mud, or any of those other words. I asked him about this book, and of course, he looked at me like I was crazy. My husband spoke to the contractor who said this is totally unnecessary, and that he has been doing this for years this way, even in his own house. -- I told him .- this puts me in a weird predicament because I don't want the job to be done wrong, and I'm not convinced that this is right. We are at a stand-still. I want to take a hammer to those tiles-- I am waiting to hear from the store-owner who sold me the tiles and ask her advice about what I can do now..... I am also going to ask her about the glass shower tiles with cold and hot water. This is why I hired a Contractor -- I don't want to make all these calls and teach myself how to install a bathroom, or a floor, or a fireplace! Creative - I cannot thank you enough. I looked through the book you are referring to. The contractor thinks I'm reading into everything because this isn't the first thing I've complained about.... This is the text he sent me this morning "The vinyl on floor and up walls about a foot and up seat area and on wall behind you do not need on walls unless steam shower nobody puts on wall you are reading to much No concern my own shower is done like this"