cleaning grout lines?/grout sealer warning

[dkpbxman]

Can anybody advise on the best way to clean up old, dirty grout lines between tiles without damaging the grout?

What sealer should I use after cleaning them?

Dan

[HayZee518]

There's a product called "TILE-EX" It's a spray on substance. Use this and a scrub brush or that stuff they advertise on TV - Oxy-Clean. In any case rinse it off well and let dry. Then use an artist's brush and use clear silicone paint for the joints.

[dkpbxman]

Thanks, will do.

Dan

[Hannah]

quote:Originally posted by dkpbxman

Can anybody advise on the best way to clean up old, dirty grout lines between tiles without damaging the grout?

What sealer should I use after cleaning them?

Dan

First, clean the tiles and grout with a cleaner that removes mildew, etc. Then, what I found that works the best was a grout sealer with a color or whitener. I had a ceramic floor that had tan grout and I went over it with this white grout sealer and it looked like it had original white grout. The great thing about this product was that it stayed white, it was very inexpensive, and easy to apply. It comes with a roller on the tip and you just roll it on and let it dry for 24 hours. I got it at Lowe's. Now all I have to do is wash the floor with regular floor cleaner and it has never stained again.

[dkpbxman]

quote: I got it at Lowe's.

Can you remember the name of the product?



Thanks for your help. When I recently cleaned up the walls (much easier to clean),it made a big difference and showed me how dirty the grout lines on the floor had become.

Dan

[Hannah]

The name of the product that I used was Tile Guard. I called Lowe's and they say they don't carry it anymore. I did find three products on www.acehardware.com that were very similar to it. It looks like you would have to buy two products instead of one, one for whitening and one for sealing. I called our local Ace Hardware but they don't carry it...surprise, surprise. You probably would have to order it online. Hope this helps.

[dkpbxman]

The name helps a lot. I'll look around-Home Depot, True Value, Wal-mart, etc.
Right now, I'm at Mom's for Turkey-day, but as soon as I get back home I'll start hunting.

Thanks again.

Dan

[Hannah]

quote:Originally posted by dkpbxman

The name helps a lot. I'll look around-Home Depot, True Value, Wal-mart, etc.
Right now, I'm at Mom's for Turkey-day, but as soon as I get back home I'll start hunting.

Thanks again.

Dan

Just wanted to let you know that I was at Lowe's today...and they do have the "Tile Guard" that I was telling you about. It only costs $2.97 and it is in with the grout stuff.

[dkpbxman]

Can't do it tomorrow (today),other things to do, but I'll stop at Lowe's on Monday.

Thanks a lot!

Dan

[dkpbxman]

While looking into the "grout" problem, I came across the following thread in the JOHN BRIDGE CERAMIC TILE FORUMS,

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/...ad.php?t=26036

It concerns a serious safety issue about a certain grout sealer sold by HD. Lowe's sells one very similiar. I don't know if the Lowe's product will cause problems also or even if the manufacturer of the HD product has taken steps to make the product safe and I haven't seen anything else about it, so maybe things have changed.

Sorry if this is old news but I just found out about it and thought it should be passed on.

Dan