What's up with my crumbling grout?

What's up with my crumbling grout?
Submitted by admin on Thu, 11/03/2011 - 14:59

If you sometimes think your grout is shedding, read below:

 
Over the years, we've heard almost everything with respect to "the best" way to clean this or that.  "I use lemon oil every 2 weeks.  I use knee pads and put it on with a Q-tip".  "The only way to clean your floor is to use vinegar - the stronger the better."  
 
And.....we often get called to repair grout that's crumbling or to clean tile that is stained.  
 
When choosing how to care for your grout and tile, it's very important to remember what IT really is.  The grout is essentially mud.  If your grout lines are larger than 1/8", then it's got sand in it in order to hold it together.  Also consider whether your tile is man made or natural.  Natural stone is very porous and will soak up what you put on it.  Fired tiles are much more stain resistant and are often stain proof.
 
So here are a couple drawback to the 2 cleaning ideas mentioned above.  It's no surprise that lemon oil will darken the grout, but if it comes in contact with a natural stone tile, it will be absorbed which can lead to blotching and staining.  It also attracts dirt and dirt sticks to it.  Vinegar is very acidic and is often used by tile setters to remove excess haze after setting tile.  If vinegar is used, it will weaken the grout and eventually the sand in the grout will begin to shed and overall, the grout will be weakened.  
 
A better idea is to ask for a pH neutral tile and grout cleaner.  You may find these at your local store, but we recommend visiting The Cleaning Center on Maple Grove and Overland.  Not only are they wonderful people, but they know exactly what products you need to clean your beautiful investment.
 
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