Grout can get dirty over time and lose its original color making it look dirty. Grout also gets darker with age, so if you have older grout lines, they will most likely be a completely original color from the new grout. Newer grout is typically a light tan or gray color, but over time it can darken to a deep brown or black.
It’s a little-known fact, but dark grout can turn white. It’s not as scary as it sounds. This article will tell you how to clean dark grout that has turned white so that it looks like new once again. We’ll also show you some less-than-ideal methods that are still better than doing nothing at all!
What is Grout, And What Does It Do for Your Home?
Grout, to put it simply, is a cement material that holds tiles together. It’s typically used around the edges of tiles to create a smooth transition between them and the walls or flooring they go on top of. The obvious problem with grout is that it gets dirty over time and will eventually lose its original color or sometimes, can even turn white.
Grout is also a porous material, so it can easily absorb liquids and other materials. Therefore grout needs to be cleaned and sealed often in order to maintain its original look. They do not clean if grout regularly, it will absorb the liquids it comes into contact with which can darken it. This is why older grout lines are typically a completely original color whereas newer grout will be a light tan or gray color.
What Causes Grout to Turn White?
There are a few reasons grout can turn white. The most common reason is that it’s simply dirty and needs to be cleaned. However, there are some major reasons grout can turn white. These include:
- The grout used was not correctly mixed or applied
- Iron content, minerals, or bleach have leached into the grout over time
- The tiles were not sealed properly after installation
The bleach, mineral deposits, and iron will eventually drain down to where the grout lines are. When these materials mix over time, they will turn the grout white.
Easy Ways to Clean Dark Grout That has Turned White
The good news is that cleaning dark grout that has turned white is not as difficult as it may seem. In most cases, all you need is a little of baking soda, some elbow grease, and a toothbrush. Following are the cleaning steps that should be followed:
Step 1:
Mix a small amount of baking soda with water to form a paste. A ratio of one tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water should suffice for this part.
Step 2:
Use the brush from step 1 to scrub the grout line with the paste you created in step 1. This will take some elbow grease, but not nearly as much as if you were to clean the grout without the baking soda.
Step 3:
Rinse the area with water after scrubbing it with the baking soda paste. Be sure to get all the baking soda residue off of the tile and grout. Then, dry and repeat on all the grout lines in the area.
Step 4:
Use a cloth towel to wipe all the wet surfaces. You can finally see your tile and grout as they looked when they were first installed!
Step 5:
If the grout is still a little discolored after following these steps, you can try using a slightly stronger mixture of baking soda and water. Just test this on an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire area.
Step 6:
Hydrogen peroxide is also a great way to clean grout that has turned white. Pour it onto a cloth and wipe the grout with it. Be sure to rinse the area with water afterwards.
Step 7:
Apply oxygen bleach or standard bleach to the area you want to clean. After 10 minutes, wipe it with a wet cloth until it’s clean.
Step 8:
Use a grout colorant kit to dye the grout lines after you have cleaned them. This will restore their original color and make them look new again.
Step 9:
Use chlorine bleach to clean the grout lines. After 5 minutes, wipe it with a wet cloth until it’s clean.
Step 10:
Apply silicon to the grout once it has dried after cleaning. This will restore its original color and provide some extra protection against stains in the future.
The above steps are the easiest ways to clean dark grout that has turned white. However, there are some other methods that can be used if the baking soda doesn’t do the trick.
- If the grout is severely discolored and the baking soda method doesn’t work, you can try using diluted bleach to clean it. Just be sure to test this on an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the entire area.
- If you have a professional power washer, be sure to use it on your tile and grout before this happens to you! However, please only do so if they prepare you for water damage to surrounding objects/surfaces.
- Cleaning dark grout that has turned white is not as hard as many people think. All you really need is some patience and the step-by-step process laid out here.
Tips On How To Keep Your Grout Looking Great!
There are a few extra things you can do to keep the grout in your home looking great. Keeping these simple tips in mind will make all of your future cleaning much easier and help prevent the grout from turning white again:
- Be sure to seal tile and grout after installation or remodeling
- Use an acidic cleaner on a monthly basis to clean the grout and help prevent buildup of minerals and other materials that can cause the grout to turn white
- Avoid using harsh chemicals, like bleach, on the tile and grout as they can damage both.
- Clean grout lines regularly, using the methods described in this article, to keep them looking their best.
If you want to keep your tile and grout looking great for years to come, following these simple tips is a must! These simple tips should help keep your home looking great for years to come!
How to Keep Grout from Turning White in The Future
The best way to keep grout from turning white is by properly sealing it after installation. Sealing grout lines will help to prevent any staining or discoloration from occurring. If grout has already turned white, it can be sealed but it will require more work and may not look completely uniform with the rest of the grout lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Often Should I Clean My Grout?
Although you may think that cleaning your grout lines only every six months or every year would be sufficient, in reality, it’s almost impossible to keep grout looking like new if not cleaned regularly.
Grouting materials are porous by nature and even if they look clean, deep down they can still harbor dirt and bacteria. We recommend cleaning your grout at least every 3-4 months.
2. Is Cleaning Grout a Dirty Job?
Cleaning grout can be a dirty job, but with the right tools and techniques it doesn’t have to be. In fact, by using baking soda and some elbow grease you can easily clean your grout lines without making a mess.
3. Can I Use Bleach to Clean My Grout?
No, using bleach on grout can actually damage it over time and cause it to discolor or turn white. There are better and safer ways to clean your grout without using harsh chemicals.
Final Thoughts
The most important thing to remember is that grout lines need regular cleaning. All you really need are the right tools, patience and a little time! There are many ways to clean dark grout that has turned white without having to use harsh chemicals like bleach or power washers.
If your home is in an area prone to flooding, it may be necessary for you seal your tile and grout as soon as they’ve been installed with some type of protection against water damage before this happens again!
Be sure not to overlook these simple tips when protecting your property from future harm because no one wants their hard-earned money going towards costly repairs due simply to negligence on maintenance tasks like sealing or cleaning tile and grout.
