Help me get my deposit back by suggesting the BEST WAY TO CLEAN GROUT (hooray youll be a hero)
October 23, 2010 3:10 PM Subscribe
Help me get my deposit back by suggesting the BEST WAY TO CLEAN GROUT (hooray youll be a hero)
I am cleaning my bathroom as part of moving out. I want to get as much of my deposit back as possible and grout is on the checklist of things they want done. So far I've used oxygen cleaner and comet with a toothbrush and it hasn't really whitened the grout. It is possible that the grout is just old and can't be whitened anymore but in any case I was wondering if anyone had any silver bullet ideas.
Extra credit: theres a patch on the kitchen linoleum that has gone yellow that I can't seem to get rid of also. Any ideas?
Thanks!
I am cleaning my bathroom as part of moving out. I want to get as much of my deposit back as possible and grout is on the checklist of things they want done. So far I've used oxygen cleaner and comet with a toothbrush and it hasn't really whitened the grout. It is possible that the grout is just old and can't be whitened anymore but in any case I was wondering if anyone had any silver bullet ideas.
Extra credit: theres a patch on the kitchen linoleum that has gone yellow that I can't seem to get rid of also. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Comet has bleach. But maybe you should get some high-bleach solution and just leave it overnight.
posted by delmoi at 3:14 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by delmoi at 3:14 PM on October 23, 2010
Get one of those Clorox bleach pens and paint the grout. Leave overnight, then rinse.
posted by calistasm at 3:17 PM on October 23, 2010 [5 favorites]
posted by calistasm at 3:17 PM on October 23, 2010 [5 favorites]
What if you just caulked the tile with white silicone and wiped off the surface with a damp sponge? Tedious, but it would look great for about three days.
posted by mecran01 at 3:22 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by mecran01 at 3:22 PM on October 23, 2010
It would probably be faster and easier to use one of those grout pens. If the grout was never sealed properly, it may never be white again even with bleaching; and would take the same amount of time to use as a bleach pen, but would have a guaranteed result. I used one in my last rental, and they're not bad at all.
Also, the floor - is it linoleum or vinyl? No matter which, there may have been a chemical reaction with something (especially rubber) that was laid or left or spilled on it, and that's irreversible. If it's truly old linoleum, it could be the linseed oil coming to the surface because of something left on it, and only air and bright light will cause that to fade, over time. Chemicals and scrubbing will only make the surface more porous and dull, so don't bother. You might try ammonia on the linoleum, but you know, don't combine it with bleach etc.
posted by peagood at 3:29 PM on October 23, 2010
Also, the floor - is it linoleum or vinyl? No matter which, there may have been a chemical reaction with something (especially rubber) that was laid or left or spilled on it, and that's irreversible. If it's truly old linoleum, it could be the linseed oil coming to the surface because of something left on it, and only air and bright light will cause that to fade, over time. Chemicals and scrubbing will only make the surface more porous and dull, so don't bother. You might try ammonia on the linoleum, but you know, don't combine it with bleach etc.
posted by peagood at 3:29 PM on October 23, 2010
I used to use good old-fashioned Softscrub for jobs like this...but it looks like they have more flavors than Ben and Jerry's now. I'm too lazy to research which one works best for grout, but I bet you can find it at a hardware store for ~$5.
posted by lobstah at 3:39 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by lobstah at 3:39 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
I did this the other day on my own tub.
I used cotton balls dipped in straight bleach, left for several hours (over 12). They stick when they're wet, and the bleach whitened things up quite nicely. Just be sure to get total coverage, or there will be spots in between that don't bleach.
Another thing I did was use bleach-based gel toilet cleaner. It sticks and you have to let it sit for ages, too, but it worked as well as the cotton ball and bleach solution.
posted by Stewriffic at 3:53 PM on October 23, 2010
I used cotton balls dipped in straight bleach, left for several hours (over 12). They stick when they're wet, and the bleach whitened things up quite nicely. Just be sure to get total coverage, or there will be spots in between that don't bleach.
Another thing I did was use bleach-based gel toilet cleaner. It sticks and you have to let it sit for ages, too, but it worked as well as the cotton ball and bleach solution.
posted by Stewriffic at 3:53 PM on October 23, 2010
Does where you live require this? The stipulation where we live is that normal wear and tear is acceptable and the place has to be "broom clean" when you move out. You've already done more than I would do.
I'm sorry if I'm projecting--I read this and thought, 'Good lord, not if it's not 100% legally required.'
That said, there are products in spray bottles like Lysol tub and sink cleaner that seem to work pretty well for that stuff. Generally you want something that shows glistening tiles with little sparkles on the label and costs more than three dollars. That should pretty much get you the product you want.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:14 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry if I'm projecting--I read this and thought, 'Good lord, not if it's not 100% legally required.'
That said, there are products in spray bottles like Lysol tub and sink cleaner that seem to work pretty well for that stuff. Generally you want something that shows glistening tiles with little sparkles on the label and costs more than three dollars. That should pretty much get you the product you want.
posted by A Terrible Llama at 4:14 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
"White or light-colored tile grout can be easily cleaned with an old toothbrush and a tube of extra whitening toothpaste. (Do not use the gel type of toothpaste. The old-fashioned paste kind works the best.)"
posted by Hardcore Poser at 4:18 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by Hardcore Poser at 4:18 PM on October 23, 2010
I had great success with the bleach pens, but they were pricey enough that I switched to the toilet gel with bleach. Left it up for a week (there was almost a month where I had to pay rent in two places) and while everyone thought I must have gone Psycho on a Smurf, once it was scrubbed off it looked great. Got the full deposit back.
posted by SMPA at 4:25 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by SMPA at 4:25 PM on October 23, 2010
Grout paint. It's not long lasting, but will last several months. $5.
posted by acoutu at 4:32 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by acoutu at 4:32 PM on October 23, 2010
make a paste of comet w/bleach (or ajax or whatev) (just put a lot on and don't use too much water). plaster it on all the grout. leave overnight. rinse.
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:48 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by toodleydoodley at 4:48 PM on October 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
I've always found straight bleach to work even faster than overnight. Scrub it on, let it sit while you scrub the tub, then hose it all down. Bling! No cotton balls necessary.
posted by bink at 5:38 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by bink at 5:38 PM on October 23, 2010
Similar to Stewriffic, I used straight bleach on folded up tissues, pressed onto the grout and left overnight. The bathroom stunk of bleach but it got it white. Use gloves.
posted by girlhacker at 5:39 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by girlhacker at 5:39 PM on October 23, 2010
I just always use straight-up bleach and an old toothbrush. Smells stank, but works well.
posted by kpht at 5:41 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by kpht at 5:41 PM on October 23, 2010
I got a grout sealer-whitener thing at the hardware store that looks like one of those shoe polish touchup things with a sponge applicator on top. It was seven bucks and made the subway tile in my new bathroom look like a million bucks.
Supposedly it not only paints over the discolored grout but actually seals it in a way that leaves it easier to clean for a while. We'll see. But it looks fantastic to the naked eye, and wasn't hard to apply at all. In fact, it was a very satisfying project and it won't be the worst thing in the world if I have to go in and touch it up every once in a while to keep it looking sharp.
Grout is stupid and white grout is the devil. In all my future tile dealings, if any, the grout's going to be dark grey.
posted by padraigin at 7:13 PM on October 23, 2010
Supposedly it not only paints over the discolored grout but actually seals it in a way that leaves it easier to clean for a while. We'll see. But it looks fantastic to the naked eye, and wasn't hard to apply at all. In fact, it was a very satisfying project and it won't be the worst thing in the world if I have to go in and touch it up every once in a while to keep it looking sharp.
Grout is stupid and white grout is the devil. In all my future tile dealings, if any, the grout's going to be dark grey.
posted by padraigin at 7:13 PM on October 23, 2010
Since you mention a toothbrush, I wonder if you're putting the product on and then immediately scrubbing at it? Because what you use, as long as it's bleach-based, is not as important as leaving it up there to work. Try making a paste of the Comet and bleach (make sure Comet is bleach-based, but I'm pretty sure it is), and smearing it on, then leaving it for a few hours or even overnight.
posted by palliser at 7:37 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by palliser at 7:37 PM on October 23, 2010
Go to a hardware store and get a bottle of muriatic acid. Go to your landlord and ask: do you want me to pour this all over the floor, or do you want to?
(I'm kidding. Even if your landlord is a real dick).
posted by ovvl at 8:02 PM on October 23, 2010
(I'm kidding. Even if your landlord is a real dick).
posted by ovvl at 8:02 PM on October 23, 2010
Try a can of automotive brake cleaner. (Available at any auto parts store). DO NOT spray the cleaner directly on the surface, rather, spray it on an old towel/rag, and use it to scrub the irty area(s) with. (Wear rubber gloves, make sure the room is well ventilated an NO FLAME OF ANY SORT WHILE YOU ARE USING THE BRAKE CLEANER)....
It may take a little elbow grease, but it should remove any residue that has accumulated. Once clean, thoroughly rinse the area with plain water, and then wash with soap and water (I use Spic and Span). Make sure that the area is well-rinsed of the brake cleaner before using any bleach-containing products. This is a down-and-dirty method, but works. The brake cleaner is NOT good for the grout, but WILL clean it up (it dries it out). Brake cleaner will pretty much remove any dirt/grime/residue from any surface, just use caution when dealing with it, as it is very flammable, produces noxious fumes and is a nasty chemical in general.
Perhaps not a "kosher" approach, but it will work as a "silver bullet....." Just be careful, use common sense and RINSE
posted by peewinkle at 8:17 PM on October 23, 2010
It may take a little elbow grease, but it should remove any residue that has accumulated. Once clean, thoroughly rinse the area with plain water, and then wash with soap and water (I use Spic and Span). Make sure that the area is well-rinsed of the brake cleaner before using any bleach-containing products. This is a down-and-dirty method, but works. The brake cleaner is NOT good for the grout, but WILL clean it up (it dries it out). Brake cleaner will pretty much remove any dirt/grime/residue from any surface, just use caution when dealing with it, as it is very flammable, produces noxious fumes and is a nasty chemical in general.
Perhaps not a "kosher" approach, but it will work as a "silver bullet....." Just be careful, use common sense and RINSE
posted by peewinkle at 8:17 PM on October 23, 2010
We contractors have a little saying that goes "if it gets in the grout, it don't come out..." I realize this is probably unfortunate for you :P
Two things I would try: 1 - Dran-o, this stuff works miracles... Be careful when you're using it, of course..
The other thing you could do is buy a bag of grout, mix it up, and grout over the old grout. Just wipe it over the grout lines, and wipe the excess off the tile with a wet rag. You could also get some "sanded grout caulk" and try to match it up with the original grout color, though I think this is the riskiest of all solutions...
posted by Glendale at 8:59 PM on October 23, 2010
Two things I would try: 1 - Dran-o, this stuff works miracles... Be careful when you're using it, of course..
The other thing you could do is buy a bag of grout, mix it up, and grout over the old grout. Just wipe it over the grout lines, and wipe the excess off the tile with a wet rag. You could also get some "sanded grout caulk" and try to match it up with the original grout color, though I think this is the riskiest of all solutions...
posted by Glendale at 8:59 PM on October 23, 2010
I just had to do this back in June. On my landlady's recommendation, I used stuff in a purple bottle called KaBoom. Sprayed it on, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then scrubbed using a stiff bristled brush and rinsed with water. It was a big pain in the ass, but it worked decently. The white ceramic tile and grout wasn't completely spotless, but I did the best I could considering it was unsealed.
posted by weathergal at 11:00 PM on October 23, 2010
posted by weathergal at 11:00 PM on October 23, 2010
Isn't grout grunge considered normal wear and tear that you can't be liable for?
posted by zachawry at 1:17 AM on October 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by zachawry at 1:17 AM on October 24, 2010 [2 favorites]
Bleach pen. It's a gel, so it keeps the bleach wet and active on the grout. Then toothbrush & hot water, comet as needed.
posted by theora55 at 6:19 AM on October 24, 2010
posted by theora55 at 6:19 AM on October 24, 2010
If you can't find a bleach pen, get thick bleach and a small paintbrush and just paint straight bleach into the grout.
Leave it overnight, rinse in the morning. Repeat if needed.
It worked wonders on my grout, and it also works wonders when you have tiny spots that need cleaning, but don't want to leave giant bleach spots (like on wallpaper). It might work on your counter as well.
posted by Katemonkey at 6:45 AM on October 24, 2010
Leave it overnight, rinse in the morning. Repeat if needed.
It worked wonders on my grout, and it also works wonders when you have tiny spots that need cleaning, but don't want to leave giant bleach spots (like on wallpaper). It might work on your counter as well.
posted by Katemonkey at 6:45 AM on October 24, 2010
Overall, the best way to clean tile floors/grout is to soak them in acid. When they are only slightly dirty, Vinegar will work. As it soaks, you will actually see the dirt rising up. Then when finished you rinse with water. You have to let it soak a while. If they are very dirty, you can use diluted hydrochloric or muriatic acid which they sell at home depot. This will work much better than bleach.
posted by heatherly at 8:43 AM on October 25, 2010
posted by heatherly at 8:43 AM on October 25, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Joh at 3:12 PM on October 23, 2010