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.
Things You'll Need
- Wax stripper or heavy-duty cleaner
- Grout brush
- Bleaching cleanser
- Water
- Masonry sealer
Step-by-Step Instructions
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1Step 1Apply solution
Apply a wax stripper or heavy-duty cleaner to a grout brush to clean old grout. Use a bleaching cleanser on tough spots.
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2Step 2Use grout brush
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.
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3Step 3Rinse clean
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.
Thoroughly rinse all areas with clean water once the grout is as clean as you can get it.
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4Step 4Apply sealer
When it's thoroughly dry, apply a coat of masonry sealer so that the grout doesn't absorb dirt in the future.
Tip
Cleaning grout is a job for a professional. We suggest contacting our sister company, ServiceMaster Clean® for help. Visit the ServiceMaster Clean website today.
