Hi fellas,
A ‘girlie’ question here :-)…..
I have a smallish spot of semi permanent hair color on my colored(beige/cream) tile grout and need to know how to remove it.
The reason this answer is important to me is that the tiler( very beligerent man) warned me that dire consequences would folllow if I EVER cleaned the colored grout with commercial cleaners.His reply as to what I could use was ‘just wipe them down with a wet cloth’………. !!! I do not want to talk to this trademan ever again(long story,but at least the job was well done),so I won’t be contacting him.
The choices are- take my chances OR ask you.
Thanks.
Aless (Australia)
Replies
Commercial cleaners are usually a mild solution of phosphoric acid or even muriatic acid, which remove a few micrometers of the top surface of the grout, taking the dirt and stains away with it.
Your belligerent tiler probably applied a sealer to the grout to make it more waterproof, and this too would be removed with acid treatment.
You could try white vinegar. It's weaker than the commercial product, so might take longer to work and maybe two tries, but you probably already have some in your kitchen. Let it work on the stain a while (if you see some bubbling you know it is working) and scrub with a toothbrush (either an old one or your husband/boyfriend's), then rinse with water.
Your local hardware store may have tile grout sealer if you want to re-seal the grout.
To start with, don't use anything acidic.
First try an oxidizing cleaner like Oxyclean. It won't dissolve your grout like acids will.
Thanks to both of you for answering. The tiler was talking about the color being ruined if I used anything but water-what do you think?
Test the cleaner you want to try in an out of the way spot.
Behind the toilet maybe ?
Buic
The color goes all the way through the grout. What you might be doing is exposing fresh grout that has not been sealed and has not weathered, so thewre could be some apparent difference. But it would look like touchup paint on a wall.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks to you all for your advice.I'll work out what I'm going to do-wish me luck :-))
This site is really great. I have only just found it via a Taunton kitchen (next reno!) magazine,but I'll be checking in regularly. My husband is a great do-it-yourselfer,but stains are not his forte ;-))))
Aless
Smallish spot? Aless, you could use a grout saw, a file.........maybe a utility knife or even sand paper. Carefully scrape the smallish area, grinding the grout away. If the stain is on or close to the surface, remove that thin layer of grout. Reseal afterwards.
This might be a try first or as a last resort.
Best of luck
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Ironically, irreparable damage to grout is easily repaired ;) And you don't need your tile guy. Simply cut out the offending grout w/ a utility knife, mix up a very small batch of new grout (from the remains of the bag he left you) and re-grout. After 3 days, re-seal. Done deal.