How to clean cement grout between floor tiles?

ks1973

hi, looking for ideas how to clean the grout between these floor tiles as I have tried everything I can think of. The tiles have likely been down approx 20years (I only moved in a year ago) and in some areas the grout looks very dark compared with the rest and I’m looking for a more uniform look.

JacobZ

Hi @ks1973,

A good method to start with, which I imagine you have already tried, is with a standard grout cleaner such as this https://www.bunnings.com.au/long-life-750ml-grout-cleaner_p4470744 and a stiff grout brush like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/sabco-soft-grip-grout-brush_p4480053 . Apply the cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes, then give it a thorough scrub and rinse. This is often enough to lift general dirt and staining that builds up over time.

Looking at your grout though, it looks like a case of efflorescence, which is essentially natural salts from within cementitious products leaching out over time and being deposited on the surface. In that situation, a dedicated efflorescence cleaner like this https://www.bunnings.com.au/crommelin-4l-efflorescence-remover_p0960128 is worth trying, as it’s designed to break down those salts and even out the appearance. When using this cleaner, ensure you follow the instructions closely as it is an acid based cleaner which can cause issues if used incorrectly. It is worth applying it in a small test section prior to wider use, just to be sure there will be no negative impacts. Also, ensure you wear gloves, long protective clothing and a mask while it is in use to protect yourself.

If neither of those options gets you the result you’re after, the last resort would be to remove and replace the grout. That involves raking out the existing grout and regrouting the joints, which will give you a completely uniform finish but is a bit more labour intensive. Check out https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/tiling/how-to-remove-grout and https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/diy-skills/tiling/how-to-grout-tiles for some guidance on this process.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob