[ieee488]

I bought a new construction house 9 years ago.
The contractor used the cheapest material.
The grout is getting discolored.

I am planning on selling this house.
Should I just get Stanley Steemer to clean the grout?
Or is there something I can buy from Home Depot and do it myself?

 

[Old Thomas]

Try some peroxide cleaner, it might work. It is the only green certified cleaner that actually works.

 

[3onthetree]

After you clean it if still not satisfied you can simply apply a grout stain.
HD Grout-Renew-Colorant

 

[firehawkmph]

I had Stanley Steemer do a large tile area in my mom's house to clean the grout. They did a very good job and it wasn't that much money. Afterwards, I used a sealer to seal the grout and it stayed clean after that.
Mike Hawkins

 

[ieee488]

Try some peroxide cleaner, it might work. It is the only green certified cleaner that actually works.

Do you mean hydrogen peroxide?

Never thought of that.

 

[ieee488]

After you clean it if still not satisfied you can simply apply a grout stain.
HD Grout-Renew-Colorant

wow!
Did not know these things existed.

What do I use to apply the colorant?
I am guessing that they sell the tool at Home Depot?

 

[ieee488]

I had Stanley Steemer do a large tile area in my mom's house to clean the grout. They did a very good job and it wasn't that much money. Afterwards, I used a sealer to seal the grout and it stayed clean after that.
Mike Hawkins

Which brand sealer did you use?

I remember buying a small bottle of grout sealer at Home Depot and applied it to all the floor grout in the bathroom and the kitchen.
Did not seem to help. Disappointed.

 

[lug-nuts]

Muriatic acid works wonders, all the dirt and grime will lift right off no scrubbing needed. Wet it first with water. Apply the acid any way you like (mop, sprayer etc) dont get it on yourself. let it sit for a couple minutes then mix ammonia in the mop bucket and mop floor to neutralize the acid. All the big home stores sell the acid you can get it in quart or gallon size. I'd go gallon or 2

 

[firehawkmph]

Which brand sealer did you use?

I remember buying a small bottle of grout sealer at Home Depot and applied it to all the floor grout in the bathroom and the kitchen.
Did not seem to help. Disappointed.

I have had good luck with the Miracle line of sealants. I've used various products of their's depending on what I was sealing, grout, stone, etc.
Mike Hawkins

 

[jeffnc]

I have had good luck with the Miracle line of sealants.

'


Agreed, the product shown is my go-to.

 

[jeffnc]

wow!
Did not know these things existed.

What do I use to apply the colorant?
I am guessing that they sell the tool at Home Depot?

No special "tool". Whatever works best. It's rather tedious frankly, because you can't get any on the tile (or you have to keep wiping it off.) While tedious, this is going to look the best if you sell your house. Give it a quick cleaning at least first so there are no particles in the way or grease that the colorant can't stick to.

 

[3onthetree]

What do I use to apply the colorant?

I just use a stiff flat artist's brush the width of the grout. You can also use a toothbrush. The special bottles with rollers places sell don't work really well.

 

[SPS-1]

I just finished cleaning bathroom and kitchen grout. I just used Tide powder and a small stiff brush. Did indeed work well, and looks better.

The bathroom grout got clear sealer after cleaning. The kitchen has a grout that does not need sealing. It still gets dirty, which ticks me off, but I have to admit that it is easier to clean.

 

[udraft]

A lot of colored grouts can tend to fade to grey. Cleaning will help that along. I would not get into sealants, you're selling the house. If it doesn't look good after cleaning, you might have to use a colorant product. Depending on the depth of joint, you might just apply a new coat of grout.