Floor Consult

There are many reasons why individuals want to change the Grout Color on their Tile Floor.
Maybe one of these situations has happened to you…

“Help! I just installed a New Tile Floor in my Kitchen and the Grout Color did not turn out as I thought it would. Am I stuck with it?”

“My Bathroom Floor is Stained and Discolored in the Grout around the toilet. Looks like rust stains. I can’t seem to clean it no matter what I use. Any suggestions?”

“I’m getting ready to sell my house and my Realtor says that my bathroom floor looks dingy and dated. How can I update the floor without replacing the whole thing?”

The answer to all of these questions is Grout Colorant and you don’t have to be a professional to do the job. (A great DIY project!) There are key steps to follow for good results such as read and adhere to directions on the product label, clean and pretreat according to directions and be sure to allow enough drying time for each step of the process.

Your best bet is to buy a kit so you’ve got everything you need for the job. Aqua Mix has a Grout Colorant Kit that comes in 24 different colors. The kit includes an 8oz. bottle of AquaMix Pre-Treatment Cleaner, 8oz. bottle of Aqua Mix Grout Colorant, Grout Brush, and Scrub Pad. *Tip: You can mix colors if you want to customize.

Pre-Treatment Cleaner is the first critical step because it etches the surface of the Grout and removes any finishes or cleaners that may be on the Grout allowing the Colorant to adhere when it’s applied. *Tip: If Pre-Treatment Cleaner is not used as directed, Grout Colorant will not adhere well to the Grout and may peel.

The Aqua Mix Grout Colorant goes on like paint with the Grout Brush and bonds to the surface of the Grout (after the grout has been pre-treated). The Colorant contains a sealant so it seals the Grout as it dries making future cleaning easier and the Grout less likely to hold stains. If you go outside the lines of the grout during application, you will have an opportunity to wipe off excess Grout Colorant after 2 hours. The Colorant is water-based so it cleans up easily and doesn’t have a caustic odor. Do a test area on your floor before you tackle the whole job. The results of this test area will help you determine the optimum time for the Colorant to dwell on the tile before cleaning up. You may find that you need to allow more than 2 hours before cleanup. *Tip: Don’t scrub the grout lines during cleanup because Colorant is not completely dry at this time.

The final results will last up to 15 years! Extreme weather conditions, harsh cleaning methods and high-alkaline or solvent-based cleaners will affect wear so use a Tile Cleaner that is recommended for use on Tile and doesn’t contain solvents such as Aqua Mix Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner.

Grout Colorant is an effective solution to all of the scenarios mentioned above however if the Grout is cracked or chipped, the Colorant is not the right answer. *Tip: Grout Colorant only colors and will not correct any defects in the Grout.

The amout of Grout Colorant required will vary depending on the width and porosity of the grout joint and the size of the tiles and can range from 50 – 300 square feet per 8-oz bottle. Reference the Coverage Guide on www.1877floorguy.com for the amount of Grout Colorant you’ll need. You can also get a free color chart before you buy the Colorant and get answers to your questions by calling toll-free at 1-877-floorguy (1-877-356-6748).

Have Fun Coloring!

How do I clean soap scum and mildew from the natural stone and grout in my bathroom shower?

For tough bathroom soap scum and mildew DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional KlenzAll™ Cleaner is an excellent solution because it will lift difficult stains without etching or damaging the stone surface. Use a sponge or microfiber cloth to apply cleaner to the surface, rubbing soiled areas. For the toughest stains, try a soft bristle brush. Mildew in the grout is sometimes hard to get rid of and may require a 50/50 solution of water and bleach if any mildew remains after you’ve used the DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional KlenzAll™. Be sure to rinse the area thoroughly with water when you are finished with this process. After cleaning, it is important to seal the area to keep the tile and grout looking good long term. Wait one hour after rinsing the stone surfaces before applying sealer. Seal with a water-based sealer tough enough to withstand the amount of use your shower gets, such as DuPont™ StoneTech® Heavy Duty Sealer.

Once you’ve gone through the effort to remove the stubborn soap scum and mildew from your shower, routine maintenance will be the key to maintaining the integrity of the stone. Clean frequently usingDuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Stone & Tile Cleaner which is a stone-safe cleaner for everyday use. Avoid bathroom cleaners that are not specifically recommended for use on stone because they will etch and damage the surface.

Every few months, take a moment to notice how the water beads when your shower is wet. If water beads easily on the surface, you’re in good shape. If not, it may be time to reseal your stone. For more information about sealing and knowing when to seal, see our blog entitled, “When to Apply Sealer to Stone Surfaces.”

Important Note: Always read product labels entirely before using. Use only as directed. Test in small inconspicuous area to determine required dilution and results.