TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham shows how to replace moldy shower grout and shares tips on how to keep it clean.
- Put car wax over grout and tiles in your bathroom to prevent mildew and water.
- When replacing worn-out grout, first remove the crumbling or cracked grout from around the tile with a grout saw, (available at most home stores) or a sturdy screwdriver. Be sure to wear safety glasses and a dust mask to keep lungs free of grout powder. Scrape or saw the offending grout away gently, working carefully to make sure not to chip or crack the edges of the surrounding tiles.
- An old-fashioned can opener/punch also works great for scraping grout.
- When selecting grout, choose the type of grout that is mixed with water. If possible, select one with a latex or acrylic admix, which is much more durable and stain-resistant. Make sure that the color closely matches the grout being repaired. Mix the grout according to the instructions on the label.
- Once the grout is prepared, cover the edge of a grout spreader with it (available at most home stores). Spread the grout across the tile, moving diagonally and straight across the gaps until the grout is completely compacted. The spreader should push the grout firmly into each gap.
- Using a damp grout sponge (available at home stores), wipe the excess grout off the surrounding tiles, pressing into the gaps tightly.
- Before the grout dries, run a grout shaper or the edge of a finger along the filled gaps to match the appearance of the surrounding grout.
- To remove any pieces of dried grout that were missed in the cleaning, simply rub gently with a dampened, nonabrasive kitchen scourer. A windshield ice scraper also works. Just run the sharp edge across the tiles. To prevent scratching, lubricate the scraper’s edge with dish detergent.
- Once the grout is clean, apply a masonry or grout sealant. This makes the grout less porous, thus lessening its susceptibility to dirt and stains. A good thorough cleaning is only necessary once or twice a year to keep the grout looking great.
