<p>The tile grout in our bathroom countertop is supposed to white but years of make up, etc. have made it look so dirty. Does anyone have a tried and true method of cleaning it? I hear that bleach shouldn’t be used.</p>
<p>lilmom, here is how I handled the dirty white grout in my shower:</p>
<ol>
<li>Went to Tile for Less, bought a pack of epoxy grout</li>
<li>Went to HD, bought a grout saw</li>
<li>Removed all dirty grout</li>
<li>Replaced it with the epoxy kind (needs no sealants)</li>
</ol>
<p>Two years later, the grout still looks nice.</p>
<p>I would give Oxiclean a shot:
[Best</a> Way - Grout Cleaning | eHow.com](<a href=“http://www.ehow.com/way_5263445_grout-cleaning.html]Best”>http://www.ehow.com/way_5263445_grout-cleaning.html)</p>
<p>but if it fails to remove the stains, it is time to regrout the counter.</p>
<p>I have also heard you shouldn’t use bleach on grout but — I’ve used Soft Scrub with bleach applied with a sponge and toothbrush and it got 50 year old grout sparkling clean and white. I left it on for a little while before rinsing it off. There hasn’t been any ill effects on the grout yet.</p>
<p>Try this - it is amazing (I am not kidding). I saw this on another message board 
Try used bounce! Wet some, scrub the tile & rinse.</p>
<p>I have tried it myself and amazed at the results. Let me know if you try it & how it works out. :-))))</p>
<p>While the tile guy was installing the tile in my BR, I asked him how to keep it white. He said, and I quote, “After I’m done here, close the door and never use the bathroom.” Just thought I’d pass that on …</p>
<p>Why is bleach a no no? Too harsh? Result in disintegration I think that for stains, it works. Of course Woody’s tile guy is correct…but… For something like a countertop, I would use a toothbrush to try to scrub the stains out with one of those cleansers that is specially made for tiled areas. Quite few are from Clorox, and I am pretty sure that they contain bleach.</p>
<p>I had good results cleaning my bathroom grout with a Mr. Clean “Magic Eraser”.</p>
<p>I had a hard time cleaning the grout on my kitchan floor. Even used harsh acidic chemicals to no avail. Finally I tried “Greased Lightening” in the yellow bottle (I found it at Home Depot). I sprayed it, scrubbed and let it sit a little then scrubbed and wiped. It was amazing. Then I sealed the grout and it repells water and remains clean!</p>
<p>Once a year I buy a spray jar of tile cleaner (the industrial kind that is located in the tile department) at the big box Home Center and I use a toothbrush. I have white tile countertops as well as a dark tile entry hall with off white grout and it works quite well. I’m sure that it abrades the grout, but it certainly cleans it up and after 22 years it doesn’t look like the grout is failing or flaking in any way. The countertops were installed originally with a epoxy based grout, the hallway was a typical sanded type grout. Both are holding up under the annual toothbrush/chemical assault.</p>
<p>Is your countertop made up of tiles or are you talking about grout along the edges?</p>
<p>bromfield, it is covered with tile. I can’t wait to out some of the ideas. I let you know what works (short of replacing the whole countertop!)</p>
<p>Bleach is fine. Acids are bad. </p>
<p>Bleach is also fine on marble; acids are not.</p>
<p>When we moved into a place with disgusting grout, I put down white washcloths and poured diluted bleach and detergent on them, then left them about 15 minutes. Then I ran the washcloths through the wash, they were nice and clean–and so was the grout.</p>
<p>Use **Tilex. ** It’s specially made just for cleaning tile grout.</p>
<p>[Tilex</a> - Bathroom Mold, Mildew & Soap Scum Cleaner / Remover](<a href=“http://www.tilex.com/]Tilex”>http://www.tilex.com/)</p>
<p>Yes, Tilex works great!</p>
<p>For the tile on the shower walls, I use a brush with Comet or Bon Ami, then after a shower (if I remember and have time), I use a squegee I got at Bed&Bath to remove the excess moisture clinging to the walls. The grout stays white a lot longer when I do that.</p>
<p>But when we put our house on the market, after I clean it I’m going to shower at the gym. Thanks woody!</p>
<p>What an odd thread for a brand new poster to resurrect after 4 years!</p>
<p>I was thinking the same, patsmom! Happy to report that my self-installed epoxy grout still looks brand new without any sealing in 6 years! :)</p>
<p>Just hire proffesionals!</p>
<p>I think oxygen bleach which does the hard work and it does that work amazingly fast and well. I have not taken on the whole bathroom floor yet, but now that I have a good solution, I will soon. Below is a link to this product for anyone interested in a good grout whitening; and when I finish, I will be sure to seal the grout this time! </p>
<hr>
<p>[tile</a> cleaning floor machines](<a href=“http://www.tile-grout-equipment.com%5Dtile”>http://www.tile-grout-equipment.com)</p>
<p>I find it odd that not only did a new poster resurrect this thread, but that their 2nd post contained a link to a grout cleaning product. Sure smells like that disgusting spam to me.</p>