| Author | Content |
fancyvan
Calgary, AB
Zone 3a
March 19, 2008
7:22 PM | I have a slate floor in one bathroom and the grout is dark brown. Over the years thanks to my resistance to house cleaning the slate is quite dusty looking but it will not wash clean. Any suggestions about restoring it to its original color? |
flowerjen
central, NJ
Zone 6b
March 19, 2008
7:38 PM | If it's not a big area you can use a magic eraser on it. Works wonders on grout, I use it in my kitchen and on my slate floor leading from the garage to laundry room. |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
Zone 9a
March 19, 2008
8:49 PM | Unfortunately grout tears up the magic eraser like crazy, I won't even use it on grout anymore because I go through them way too fast. If it's a little tiny area it could work but if it's in the whole room I think you'll need hundreds of erasers to do the job! The other thing that will work is bleach and a toothbrush...only think is I'm not sure what the bleach will do to the slate, so I'd test in a small inconspicuous area first and then be careful to get as little bleach on the slate as possible. Or as a last resort I think you can buy paint for grout (I'm not sure how big of a color selection there is) |
fancyvan
Calgary, AB
Zone 3a
March 19, 2008
10:00 PM | Thanks for the hints - I too would worry about using bleach! But I have some pieces of the slate so I could test there.
I will check about the paint.
Ive even thought about putting a thin layer of new grout on the tiles since I still have it! It is a very small room . |
ecrane3
Dublin, CA
Zone 9a
March 19, 2008
10:26 PM | I'm not sure about that last thought--I'm not sure if the new grout would stick well to the old stuff, if you want to take that approach I think you're better off removing all the old grout and then redoing it. (and that sounds like way too much work!) |
LiliMerci
Norcross, GA
Zone 7b
April 21, 2008
10:18 AM | Clorox has a bleach stick that works wonderful. It may takes several tries. |
lcrandall
Aiken, SC
June 4, 2008
6:48 AM | You may want to try a product from the Finazzle line of products. [HYPERLINK@www.finazzle.com]
I have successfully used several of their products and loved them! You can call their phone number listed on the contact us page of their webpage. Their products ship same day if you order over the internet. And they ship cheaply because the only ship the concentrate in sealed bottles. Then you add the water when they arrive. I have been pleased with their products. I would suggest you call them to verify that you order the correct product. They are a small company and you may have to leave a message and have someone call you back.
Best of luck!
Christy |
Heidillyho
Stanwood, IA
June 13, 2008
9:58 PM | What about trying a whitening toothpaste on that grout? Not a gel, but a peroxide based whitening paste. Test it first in a hidden area, but I wouldn't think it would discolor anything. |
anastatia
Vancouver, WA
Zone 8a
June 20, 2008
9:45 AM | I have had good results w/ toothpaste, not gel. But I am going to try the finazzle product Icrandall suggested. |
lcrandall
Aiken, SC
July 3, 2008
1:08 AM | I have now tried a few more of the Finazzle products. I really love the Soap Scum Remover and Linoleum & Vinyl Floor Cleaner. Additionally, I have had above average results on tough, grease stains with the use of their Enzyme Based Laundry Stain Remover followed by their Anionic Laundry Stain Remover.
Some additional information about their products...they are "hydroactive"...meaning they ship the product to you in a sealed spray bottle as a concentrate. You add the water according to package directions prior to use.
Also, when using the grout cleaner, you may notice a slightly greasey residue on the floor after use. I have used a mild dish liquid such as Ivory or Dawn diluted in my mop water to cut any residue.
I hope this information is helpful.
Thanks,
Christy |
shuggins
Houston, TX
Zone 9b
July 3, 2008
9:01 AM | That is good to hear Christy. I bought the soap scum remover, but haven't actually used it yet, so now I will have to get it out!! Thanks. |