HELP... Two Boys + All Tile Flooring= DIRTY GROUT!

It's a little tedious but try Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Be prepared to stock up because they fall apart but they work wonders on grout.

Try bleach. or
There's an acid you can get at hardware stores, you dilute in water and brush across the floor and then rinse--a lot of rinses. It's the same thing the installer uses to clean out the excess when they're finished. You have to be careful when using, but it's not difficult.

i have the same problem! I'm looking forwerd to hearing the replies.

when I have had to clean up after my dog's middle of the night accidents, I sprinkle baking soda then add white vinegar and let it sit. I use a wire scrub brush then mop it up. It actually did work (though not as white as teh original) but it is a LOT of work and that's why we now have black and white grout!

I've thought of trying a steamer (that uses only water) as I've heard that works, too.

I hope to hear of something quicker and less $$ than a professional.

We have a tiled shower and THE ONLY thing that will get it clean is Arm and Hammer Scrub Free with Bleach. It does take a while but it works SO well!

Vinegar + Baking soda will do the trick, but you need to put the baking soda on first, rub in the grout, then pour vinegar on it and scrub.

Yes! Get Tile Lab at Lowe's or HD - the mustard gold container (cleaner) & the dark green (sealer). You'll still be on your hands & knees, but it works! Put the cleaner in a spray bottle, spray directly onto the grout (I usually spray an area, maybe 3x3, so it soaks while I start to work where I first sprayed), & get your toothbrush & start scrubbing! You might also get a clean, damp cloth to wipe where you've already cleaned. When you're all done, SEAL IT with the other container - apply directly to grout & let it SOAK IN. It will probably need multiple coats (until the liquid doesn't soak in anymore). Good luck!

This is alot of work and time, but the best thing I have found to clean my grout is the Magic Eraser by Arm and Hammer. They are awesome! You will go through ALOT of them, but if you belong to a BJ's or Costco, you can get the large box of them. It really works, but like I said... alot of time and alot of work!! Good luck!

Hi A.,

I've had this problem many times before trying my best to clean the grout. I used to use bleach (straight) with a toothbrush and that kind of worked but then my husband informed me that I was actually ruining the grout with the bleach.

One of my friends told me to use a product called "Simplegreen" instead of bleach because it was not detrimental to the grout and also it worked much much better. I tried it myself and it's awesome - it works much better than bleach and cleans grout so well you'll be amazed. Hope this helps!

try this: (may take some time, but it worked for me)Take a clorox bleach pen and run it along the grout lines. Then rent a carpet shampooer....I used the oreck orbiter with very good results. I didn't need to add anything....just the scrubbing action of the pads on the bleach worked great! of course you will have to wash the floor after....but that's the easy part.

I've heard that steaming them (tile floors and grout)professionally will clean them, but I don't know for sure as I've never done it. Unless you are willing to seal them after they are steamed, I'd start adopting a no shoes in the house policy. Nobody is allowed in my house with shoes on. My tile floors are cleaner and my wood floors are not scratched. The filth on the bottom of shoes is disgusting so why bring it into the house? Just a thought...

A Magic Eraser will clean the grout - but it is a lot of work if you have alot of grout!

Try a clorox bleach pen. Apply the gel heavly to the grout and let it soak in for a couple minutes then wash out throughly.

I have tiled kitchen counters and have the same problem. I use a Shark steamer with the pressure attachment. The hot steam pushes out the nasties with no chemicals.

I haven't tried it on floors because my grout is already dark gray. Good LUCK!

Finazzle grout cleaner. If it's not in the store order it on line. Be prepared it's gonna be white again!

Sorry, we just had our tile cleaned. It was almost black and is now bright white, I can't believe it! It was in the 300 range, but we didn't get it sealed. I doubt there is much you can do that won't take intesive labor and weeks to accomplish, but maybe I am wrong!

Hi! It is a lot of work, but I have had luck with a mixture of peroxide and baking soda. You mix it into a thined out paste and put it on the grout then scrub and wash off. I have white grout too, and I have actually been able to make it pretty new looking with this. Hope this helps!

When my husband and I sold our last house we scrubbed and used tons of chemicals to clean the grout....it was so bad that him and I woke up severely sick fromt he chemicals the next day.

NEVER AGAIN! Don't clean your grout........ when we moved into our new home we used this http://www.thisoldgrout.com/ the stain & sealer....once you add it to your cart you can select a color of your choice.

You apply it to the grout with a toohbrush and take a damp rag and wipe away any excess that gets onto your tile.....this will make your grout look brand new and it seals it to protect against stains....we have a light cream color grout and have spilled hawaian punch on it with no stains!

About once a year we will re-apply the stain and keep it looking brand new..... we have only bought one bottle and its still mostly full and we've been in our new home for almost 3 years.

TRY IT!

Liquid Commet with bleach. Smear a bit on the grout line and let it sit for an hour or so and then mop it up. It is extremely messy and you will have to mop it up a few times, but it will make a huge difference. However, in order to keep it white from that point forward you are going to have to seal it.

Good luck - its a never ending world with 2 boys!! I can sympothize with that as mine are 4 & 6.

Hi. I know what that is like and you know what, i found the miracle cleaner for it just a few days ago by chance when my 16 month old decided to color the grout with a pencil. Mr. Clean's magic eraser!!!! it took the pencil off and cleaned the grout. i thought my grout was supposed to be dark..nope i started cleaning a few other squares and CLEAN beige grout came up. it will take some time to do all of the tile but it really comes up pretty quick, you will need lots of erasers too. GOOD LUCK!

I have had the same problem with my tile floors. Believe it or not, I cleaned it with "Lysol 4-in-1", a hard bristled scrub brush and a LOT of elbow grease. I scrubbed hard enough to almost get blisters but it came clean. I have yet to find a "miracle" product that cleans tile with ease. I'm sure that wasn't the answer you were hoping for (it wasn't for me either - LOL) but it's the only one I have. Good Luck - and if you find that "miracle" product, please let me know what it is. :-)

i have the same problem let me know what happens please!

Thanks for asking this question -- I am having the same problem! Please let me know what you try and if it works. My tile floor is HUGE and I'm not looking forward to the labor involved in cleaning the grout. I have a 3 year old, 2 year old, and a baby...

There is some stuff you can get at Lowe's called Finazzle (I think thats how it's spelled) that works great. Nasty to use though so get the kids out and use gloves.

Grout is porous, so it has already absorbed the "dirt"...Vinegar is a natural anti-bacterial, so it's the best product to clean with.
As for the color, if it's varied throughout the house, you may want to go with a black stain. You'll never see the dirt again!

I have a product I refer to as my miracle grout cleaner, it is called ZEP Grout Cleaner & Whitener. It is sold only at Home Depot as far as I can tell. It's extremely strong and has a chemical smell so it is best done when there are no kids/pets around and with gloves on. It comes in a small jug so I pour it into an empty grout sealer applicator, which has a wheel on top, and that gets it into the grout lines and wastes less product. Then I wipe it out with a wet cloth or sponge and all the dirt comes out, it's amazing. I use my steam mop when I'm done to get rid of any residue. It is reasonabley priced at around $7 a bottle and one bottle lasts at least a few applications since you don't need much to do the job. No scrubbing! I tell everyone with grout issues about this product.

I would go to lowes or home depot. They have hand held steamers (not sure of the price) grout cleaners and sealant for the grout once you get it clean. In most of the stores they are very helpful if you just let them know what you are trying to do. You don't have to tell them how it got that way, you could say you moved into the house with the tile this way. Good luck.