How hard is it to keep posh stone floor grout clean?

[GreyWasp]

We are currently renovating a dated barn conversion. I had initially planned on doing amtico pale wood effect flooring but have really had my head turned by some stone flooring that was in an air BnB we recently stayed in for inspiration purposes.

My only concern is the grouting. We put pale limestone effect tiles in our old kitchen and tbh it was such a pain. The pale grouting looked shit within a week of me doing a proper grout deep clean. It’s put me off. I have had friend’s say that they don’t think my tiles were done very well by the tiler who most likely didn’t seal the grout (whatever that means).

My only question is how hard would be to keep the tiles (especially the grout) clean. We do have a large retriever. I don’t mind steam mopping regularly but I don’t want to be in my hands and knees scrubbing regularly.

Tiles in question:
www.stonesuperstore.co.uk/jaipur-limestone-tumbled-and-brushed-stone-tiles?_gl=1mvwpj6_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkoe9BhDYARIsAH85cDOb-pNaeg6PZbj7czP03bfnvhY-A0wdoRDEDHv8xy8mKfOYD-p3TqkaAvFhEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD4nnC2lkHTw7M5_XQpxiMnzD5iNj

What makes these tiles 'posh' as opposed to other 'non-posh' tiles?

Following as curious

@TheyAreNotAngelsTheyDontCareAtAll Oh sorry I just meant the real thing ie not stone effect porcelain. We went for a limestone effect porcelain tile in old kitchen and they were horrendous in the house despite being gorgeous when clean. I’m pretty type A as well when it comes to cleaning.

https://www.mystonefloor.com/products/clermont-gris-lightly-tumbled-limestone-tiles

I love these also but I have genuinely developed a fear of grout

Came here for this

Just put a darker grout. Ridiculous putting pale grouting on floors unless you love cleaning especially with a dog!

Use darker grout. TBH stone is a pain as it needs sealing regularly. Porcelain tiles do not.

You will need to seal grout and regularly as it will wear away. Any grout lines not scrubbed with discolour with dirt over time. Plus it's freezing.

What is grout sealed with?

I’d go with Amtico if I were you. I’ve never had a second’s regret for using it in the kitchen.

https://pin.it/5EiFRp9lW

so how do people with floors like these stop the grout from getting mucky?

thanks to everyone for input

I was worried about it being cold especially with it being a barn. I was planning on layering rugs.

Then you won’t have to worry about what the grout looks like.

I really don’t like the tiles when the grout isn’t pale. That’s the thing

We have polished granite with grey grout in our kitchen. Still looks new and is 17 years old! Dark grout is the answer or you'll be forever cleaning it.

Lovely floor anyway OP

Sorry op, just to ask, would porcelain tiles with grout need lots of cleaning too? Would they be hard to clean? 👀

@mumofoneAlonebutokay We have porcelain tiles that look almost identical to this https://pin.it/43gbIC4G8

we went with a pale grout. Tbh I was completely ignorant as it was my first time picking tile and had never really given grout a second thought. I hoover and mop daily. And steam mop every 2/3 days. Maybe even more in Winter. The grout is only white for two weeks after a DEEP clean. I’m talking scrubbing on my hands and knees for hours. I’ve just given up tbh. I do love the look when they are pristine. I would never go near them again. The tile itself is fine it’s just the grout.

But I do think they haven’t been sealed or something cause I visited my cousin who has a Collie that goes on plenty of muddy walks and I almost screamed at him what is your secret for keeping your grout so clean and he said he barely does anything (his floor is similar to mine). He mentioned my tiles probably haven’t been sealed. So I am clueless

That's okay thank you, it just sounds like a lot of faff for me 😩😩 although agree that your style looks gorgeous

Hope you have better luck with the next flooring, life's too short to be worrying about your grout x

Use epoxy grout. We have pale stone tiles in our country house and the pale grout is as perfect as the day the tiles were laid.

I had posh porcelain type floor tiles and got rid of them because they were a pain to keep clean. Harvey Maria flooring went down and it's been a life saver!

I have pale limestone effect tiles and cream coloured grout in my kitchen diner. It looks stunning, but honestly it's the worst decision we ever made. The grout is permanently dirty looking. I've sealed it myself, I've had it sealed professionally. Nothing works. I steam it, I scrub it, I've tried bleach, hydrogen peroxide, pink stuff, white vinegar, I have even flooded it, you name it, I've tried it. To do a proper grout clean it takes me and dh a full day. When clean, it lasts a week at best. We're a family of 5 with 2 dogs so it gets dirty and its a big room. I have spent a fortune on different products and have quite the collection of tall grout scrubbing brushes and chemicals now but it's a never ending chore. I would choose a different floor or get dark grout. I will be ripping mine up as soon as I can!

You can add dark grout, you can just take up a surface level and add in and regrout with darker.

Save the cleaning!!

OP came on to say dark grout really is your only option even with grout sealant it won't last forever and will get grubby by the natural of grout being porous.

OP came on to say dark grout really is your only option even with grout sealant it won't last forever and will get grubby by the natural of grout being porous.

Epoxy grout is non porous and doesn't need sealing

This. A dark grout would suit those tiles you posted fine

I agree with @Bluebellwood129 epoxy grout is they way to go of you want pale grout in a floor. They use it in hotels and it is easy to clean and doesn't stain like normal grout.