QUESTION FROM Corrine B Hinkle- randchinkle

We have had tile floors installed. The grout has been sealed twice at installation. Still, the (lght-colored) grout gets dirty and I cannot get it clean. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance for your consideration

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear randchinkle:

Here is a webpage that gives a good description of how to clean tile grout:

http://www.mrscleannw.com/tips/grout-cleaning.html

Which describes the best way to clean grout (i.e., using a mixture they describe of baking soda, vinegar, ammonia and water, and then using a wet/dry vacuum to pull the dirt out of the porous grout after applying a cleaning solution).

If this still doesn’t work for you, then it may be possible that your grout has become stained (especially since you say it is light colored). If it has indeed gotten stained, then you have a couple of options: 1) you can use a tool called a "grout saw" to gently remove the top layer of grout, then re-grout your tile with clean grout; or 2) tile stores sell special grout stains that permanently color the grout and hide the stains.

Hope this is helpful
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM David Holeman, Sr.

I bought a 15 year old home with marble flooring in the master bath. Bordering the shower, which once had leaks,the marble has dark brownish stains which appear to be deep into the stone. Can these stains be removed?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear David:

Here is a webpage that describes how to remove various types of stains from marble:

http://eurotechmarble.com/removingstains.htm

Note, however, that you will need to determine first what is the cause of your brownish stains. Is it rust? Mildew? Iron which occurs naturally in the stone? Because as you will see on the webpage, the method for removing the stain will be different, depending on the type of stain that it is.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

FOLLOW-UP FROM David

Your response is very helpful.

Since it was water leaking from the shower that caused the stain and it is brown in color, I will treat it for rust first and then for algea. I live in Baton Rouge, LA where the water is extremely soft. Will this promote a rust stain?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

David:

Glad we could be helpful to you.

Usually rust staining is associated more with hard water that with soft water.

Good luck, and if you need anything else, just let us know.

Home-Wizard.com