The eternal battle against dirty grout

[Grumio]

We have a large expanse of tiling downstairs in our house - all through the hall and into the kitchen / lounge area / utility. We also have two dogs. At this time of year they bring mud in constantly (as everyone else seems to do too) and the floor is a constant battle. The general cleaning I can handle thanks to the Roomba but the grouting is looking really dirty and I need all the tips I can get. My current MO is on my hands and knees with Astonish / pink stuff and a toothbrush. But it takes forever and is like painting the Forth Bridge.

Are there any tips to ease this back breaking and boring task?

I feel your pain. Would be very interested too. I have a Hurricane Spin Scrubber that arrived today which I am hoping works well as fed up of scrubbing the bloody floor!

So...did the scrubber work?

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/21651/lakeland-home-tile-and-grout-brush

I would love to find a solution to this problem. I get down on my knees and scrub too. If you're using a brush this is much better than a toothbrush though!

Sadly not. I’ve bought all of the mechanical scrubber devices and none of them have the cleaning power for white grout of a grout brush and white rocks (a miraculous cleaning product safe for pets that has no smell) for me. I use this style grout brush in the image below. Available on Amazon. I just did my floors last week (it’s an annual event) I donned knee pads. A turbo scrubber IMO can’t apply the pressure needed to lift the dirt effectively.

Try hydrogen peroxide. Squirt it onto the grout, let it work, then mop off.

Change grout colour to something darker? (Dark grey, brown, black). It will be hard work as you need to scrape a couple of mm off and then apply a new grout - but at least one-off work!

Alternatively, you can also by a grout protector from Topps tiles (spray). As soon as grout is cleaned, you could try that but if the grout is very light I'm not sure if it'll work that well.

Can see the difference!

Is that normal bleach? Or hair bleach? Where do you get it from?

Iirc it was one like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hydrogen-Peroxide-H2O2-Vols-500ml/dp/B09SBFC4F5/ref=asc_df_B09SBFC4F5?psc=1

I can confirm that the spray does not work. The only thing that happens is light-headedness from the smell 😂

Definitely go the dark grout route. Unless you like spending lots of time on your knees scrubbing with harsh chemicals!

Regroup with a darker colour

I’ve got flag floors with cement pointing/grouting. The cement seems to trap the dirt more than the stones. I tried scrubbing etc but it was too much given the area. I now spray with elbow grease leave for 10 mins and mop off. It lifts most of the dirt. Occasionally I’ll have to scrub a bit.

Oh dear. I have a lot of grout on my splashback. 🙁 Had my fingers crossed it would work.

This is the stuff I use. It is an absolute miracle product. Cleans pretty much everything except painted surfaces and marble, lasts for ages and safe to use around pets on the floors.

i use the tub. It’s like a solid chalk that becomes a cleaner when you wet it with water. Then rinse off.

whiterockscleaning.com

I feel your pain op. I have cream tiles and cream grout.
I have a Mr Siga long handled grout scrubbing brush from amazon. It's great and really saves your back. I also use a steam cleaner with a small brush attachment. We still have to scrub it on hands and knees a couple of times a year though.

Might have to ask Santa for one of those brushes. #livingthedream

🤣 Yeah, I'm gonna ask for the bleach stuff and then spend Christmas scrubbing at grout.

@PrincessOfPreschool have got the bleach stuff now. Similar Xmas plans. Very excited. 😂

My 18 year old self is distraught at what her 40-something self has become.

I developed golfers elbow from scrubbing my stone floor, just doesn't look the same with a mop 😭

I take the stop the mud coming into the house approach:
Hose & dry off dogs paws before they come in the house.
All humans take shoes off in the entry way.

Slosh on some white vinegar, get grout properly wet. Leave it for at least 20 min, ideally a bit more

Scrub with a stiff bristle brush. It doesn’t have to be a grout brush, just a scrubbing brush. Wipe up the dirty liquid this creates with a cloth as you go along. Rinse brush and cloth frequently.

You still have to scrub a little but the dirt comes away SO much more easily

Don’t use vinegar on marble or similar

Grout sealant?