grout cleaning (making it look like your never grew ion a rental)

[Dr. G]

so i got some bad nutrient stains on my grout form liquid karma

now my biogreen clean will take anything off any surface but this grout is a bitch

how should i tackle this i heard to use bleace but i dunno

also just a reminder never grow on carpet your going to have to replace it nomatter how careful you are

 

[JJScorpio]

mix equal amounts of vinegar and water and scrub with a stiff brush. If that doesn't work try making a baking soda paste. If neither of those work go to the hardware store and get a commercial grout cleaner.....

 

[kmk420kali]

This will seem radical, but trust me on this....take a razor knife and score all the grout lines as deep as you can-- Get a box of grout from Home Depot (Match the color) and just re-grout it--It is as simple as it sounds--

 

[JJScorpio]

Grout is harder than concrete if done right. I'd hate to try and have to chip it out with a knife......

 

[yamaha_1fan]

depending on your desired outcome, you can have the grout proffessionally cleaned and re-colored. However that will probably cost more than your security deposit

 

[SomeGuy]

Dawn dishwashing soap and concentrated lemon juice. Or even Dawn and a small amount of bleach. Both applied with a stiff bristle brush.

These are all recco's from a professional house cleaner that I just called.

If its really bad Home Depot/Lowes has a grout cleaning product. I might even try some CLR type cleaner too. I've used an industrial cleaner called TSP on concrete with decent results also available at HD or Lowes.

The problem is that grout is a porous surface and that crap gets way down in there.... Good luck!!!!

After thinking about it, I'd try the CLR first. Its designed to remove mineral deposits and thats exactly what LQ and other nutes are.


JelMar

 

[hamstring]

Having put down tile in 4 bathrooms and 2 kitchens I can tell you that if the grout is truly stained it’s not going to be easy to remove it. Grout is a concrete type product and is very porous. If it was not sealed properly in the first place (no real way to tell) the only way to remove the stains is exactly what was mentioned. Remove old grout with a dermal tool or drill attachment and put down new matching grout.

Second problem is that the new (even if color matched) will not match because the old surrounding grout will be aged and dirty. I just helped out a family member who had saved the original grout and I filled in some missed spots around the cabinets and replaced some cracked grout and the color difference was night and day.

If surrounding grout is light colored then you may have a chance because a commercial cleaner may bleach out stains.

PEACE & Good luck.

 

[The Bling]

these clorox bleach gell pens

 

[JJScorpio]

Having done dozens of tile floors and walls over the years I can tell you removing and re doing fresh grout can be a very difficult job and can take a lot of time and hard work. Grouting and scrubbing the tiles is a lot of work in itself. It's also easy to loosen tiles while removing the old grout. You don't want that happening.

I would say if you have never worked with tile and grout, just try and clean the grout with a wire brush and cleaner

 

[Sleepy]

This is a great homemade tile and grout cleaner that is safe for frequent use. It also works well for removing soap scum and cleaning tile counters.

* 1/2 cup of baking soda
* 1/3 cup of ammonia
* 1/4 cup of white vinegar
* 7 cups of water

Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to mix. Do not use this in conjunction with chlorine bleach or where chlorine bleach has been used. (Never mix ammonia and bleach containing products.) Simply spray it on and then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth. No rinsing required.
Mold and Mildewed Grout

To clean mildewed grout in tub and shower enclosures:

Scrub with a solution of one part liquid chlorine bleach to five parts water. Use a bristle brush and agitate. Let sit for 5 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
...
or:
Here are five tips on grout cleaning that will make your work a little easier.

1. If you have a very large area of grout to clean or it is extremely dirty, your best solution may be hiring a professional with proper equipment. A new method they use is steam-cleaning grout using high-pressure vapor. Not only does it deep clean the grout and remove grease, stains and dirt but also removes mildew, mold and sanitizes.

2. Combine baking soda with a small amount of white vinegar and use a small brush or old toothbrush to scrub your grout, and then rinse with warm water.

3. Use a silicon-based grout sealer and apply one or two coats to dry grout. Apply this to all the grout lines to protect them from water and stain damage.

4. Spray shaving cream on stained grout, leave it on for a few minutes and scrub with a small brush.

5. For stubborn stains on light colored grout, make a paste of baking soda and straight peroxide. When the bubbling stops, apply this mixture to the stain and leave it on for approximately ten minutes. Scrub with a small brush and rinse.

By following a few easy tips on cleaning grout and spending a little time cleaning it, your tile will look as wonderful as the day you had the tiles installed.
...
or...
Grout
Old grout may need cleaning with a wax stripper or heavy-duty cleaner plus a grout brush. Use a bleaching cleanser on tough spots. Once the grout is as clean as you can get it, rinse it well. When it's thoroughly dry, apply a coat of masonry sealer so that it doesn't absorb dirt in the future.

For mildewed grout in tubs or showers, use a grout brush with a 1:5 solution of chlorine bleach and water. Never use bleach in combination with any ammonia-based product and be sure the area is well-ventilated. When you've finished cleaning, rinse the area well to remove all traces of bleach.

Clean colored grout with a heavy-duty cleaner and a grout brush, but don't use bleach because this may remove the color from the grout. Be sure never to use a bleaching solution on colored grout. A masonry sealer can be applied to clean, colored grout to ward off future stains.
...
or
Groutrageous™ Grout Cleaner is formulated to clean and deodorize the most difficult tile and grout stains. It removes the most stubborn
grease stains, soap scum, rust and water deposits. Groutrageous™ Grout Cleaner is STEP 1 of the most advanced professional grout and tile cleaner available on the market today. STEP 1 is a concentrated acid and cleaner with built-in optical brighteners that are specifically designed to penetrate deep below the dirty surface to remove grout stains, mineral deposits, rust stains, hard water stains and mildew. Apply (spray) full-strength solution to grout lines and let stand 2 to 5 minutes, then agitate with a natural-bristle scrub brush. When finished, use a sponge or towel to clean up any leftover residue. Now you can proceed to STEP 2.
Not to be used on marble, terrazzo, Saturnia or Mexican tile.
See Grout Cleaning Brushes -•- See Grout Cleaning Kits

*Follow up with Step 2: Groutrageous™ Grout and Tile Rinse, to bring back the proper pH level that is required for your floor. (Order Below)

 

[kmk420kali]

Grout is harder than concrete if done right. I'd hate to try and have to chip it out with a knife......

Yeah, my bad, I was thinking counter tops, with a 1/16th line-- For floors, you can always try putting a thin film of new grout over the existing...at least the color would help even it out--
Or buy an area rug...lol

 

[hamstring]

Having done dozens of tile floors and walls over the years I can tell you removing and re doing fresh grout can be a very difficult job and can take a lot of time and hard work. Grouting and scrubbing the tiles is a lot of work in itself. It's also easy to loosen tiles while removing the old grout. You don't want that happening.

I would say if you have never worked with tile and grout, just try and clean the grout with a wire brush and cleaner

^^^Well after thinking about it JJ has the right idea no need to over think it. Just do the best you can by cleaning it. Not sure what landlord would say anyways probably not a big deal.

 

[ninfan77]

You could try getting a sanding or wire bit for a drill and running it over the grout.. I did this wit a dremel tool b4. then you can place some new over the top for looks.

 

[Dr. G]

thanks guys about to go try some stuff tomorow

 

[Dr. G]

to let everyone know pouring strait 100% bleach on it with no scrubbing works hella well i didnt have to do shit but wipe it up

 

[Guest]

Oxy-clean works great...... on everything. I just cleaned the grout with it. Looks great.

I looked it up and it says oxy clean becomes hydrogen peroxide when when put in water.

I had a dog fight years ago and had blood all over the carpet in our master bedroom. Enough blood that required 11 staples on the dogs face. Peroxide took out ever drop 3 days later after the household settled down.

My mom told me to tell you pure bleach..... lol

 

[Vermonster]

Re grout the shit, thats what most professional landlords do when you move out anyway. Just take some grout and spread it all over the place . Then wipe it off the tiles with a sponge and it will stick in the existing lines. It should be good for a month or so then it will come off. It is a good trick for showing apartments....makes em look nice temporarily then once the lease is signed and the person moves in it goes back to lookin like shit!

 

[green_tea]

id say fuck it and don't clean it!

more likely than not they won't see it come inspection time, and if they do, just say it got dirty from your routine fish tank cleanings etc.

(or say it was from cleaning paint brushes; aka you are now a amateur painter)

if your average person has NO CLUE what color nutrients etc are, they will believe anything you tell them.

even if they don't its not enough evidence to do shit, and you are moving out.

the most they will do is take your deposit, and they probably won't even do that if this is the only bad thing.

HAVE you EVER seen what a bad apt tenat leaves their apt like? this is NOTHING.