How to Keep Your Grout as Gorgeous as Your Granite
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- How to Keep Your Grout as Gorgeous as Your Granite
Originally published by Pretty Opinionated, August 10, 2018
Raise your hand if you spend a lot of time thinking about your grout! Unless you install tiles for a living, I’m guessing your hand is still down, right? Grout isn’t really something that we sit around pondering, but it really is an important part of your home. See, while the tiles may be the first thing people see when they look at your floor, counters, and so on, the grout is the glue that holds the whole look together…literally!
Cleaning grout is a monumental task for any type of tile, but when you have granite or other natural stone, it’s even more of a challenge! The wrong grout cleaner can wreak total havoc on your gorgeous (and expensive!) stone. Most cleaners are just too abrasive for granite and can leave ugly etch marks in it, which are pretty much impossible to fix without calling in a professional. Other less abrasive cleaners just kind of cover the dirt so your grout looks clean but really isn’t. Blech, right?
So, what can you do to get grout that’s as gorgeous as your granite? That, my friends, is where Granite Gold Grout Cleaner® comes in!
If there’s a company that knows natural stone, it’s definitely Granite Gold®. The family-owned company has more than 55 years’ experience in the stone-care industry! If you have granite, chances are you’ve used Granite Gold® cleaning products to keep it looking beautiful. Now, those same experts are making it easier to tackle the tedious task of cleaning the glue that holds your tile together.
Granite Gold Grout Cleaner® is stone-safe cleaner that removes grease & grime, like oil and soap scum. It’s tough enough to use on even the grungiest grout, yet gentle enough for pretty much any tile material, including granite, marble, and even glass. It’s also safe for colored grout! You can even use it on plain old laminate tile, so you don’t have to buy separate products for every surface in your house. It even comes with a stone-friendly scrub brush to make quick work of dirt.
I also love that Granite Gold Grout Cleaner® is non-toxic and free of ammonia. It’s designed to be safe on food-prep surfaces, which means it’s also safe to use around my cats and dogs. It’s even planet-friendly since it’s biodegradable!
Cleaning with Granite Gold Grout Cleaner® is really fairly straight-forward and simple.
If you’re thinking about skipping the sealer step, think again! Skipping the sealer not only leaves your grout vulnerable to stains, it can also allow nasty things to grow- like mold and bacteria. Think about it: germs LOVE moisture, and since grout is so porous, it’s absorbing water every time you shower, brush your teeth, or wash your dishes (depending on where it is).
Granite Gold Sealer® works just as well for sealing that grout as it does for your granite counters and other surfaces because it builds a barrier against soil build up and stains. They even have Granite Gold Sealer Wipes® to make it even easier to keep germs out of your grout.
Check out their video for a better visual of how to clean grout!
I gave it a try in our bathroom, which has the nicest floors and counters in the house. Go figure, right? I guess my landlord spent a lot of time in there and wanted it to be nice? We have colored grout that hides dirt pretty well. My mom (who as you may know lives with me) is kind of a neat freak and I wasn’t expecting much dirt to come out of the grout. I was really surprised by how much was hiding there!
We also have a stone wall surrounding our wood stove. For the life of me, I can’t remember the type of stone. I asked my landlord recently and he told me, then I promptly forgot! Something like mixed stone. Whatever it is, it’s real…and the grout that holds it all together it is a real pain to clean!
It’s important to note that Granite Gold Grout Cleaner® will not remove stains from your grout. I’m not talking about that dirt that looks like a stain, I mean those really deep set-in stains that have been sitting there for a while, really sinking into your porous grout.
No product can completely obliterate those deep grout stains, sorry. You’re a lot better off replacing the grout, then sealing it (along with the stone around it) with Granite Gold Sealer® to help prevent stains in the first place.
Ready to try it out and make quick work of grout cleaning? Head to the Granite Gold® website to learn more and to buy Granite Gold Grout Cleaner®, along with their other fabulous cleaning products! Granite Gold® products are available at Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowes, The Home Depot, Walmart, and grocery and hardware stores throughout the U.S.; check the store locator at GraniteGold.com
Although stone tile may be hard to the touch, it’s more fragile and brittle than you may think. While stone is generally low maintenance, it needs specific care to look as good as possible, which should definitely be your goal. As this aesthetic stone floor Instagram account clearly demonstrates, your stone floors have tons of…
Over the past few decades, natural stone has quickly become one of the most popular building materials for home renovations as well as new build amenities. Whether it be for countertops, showers, backsplashes, patios or other features, stone has consistently been a solid investment. However, with that popularity comes a fair share of myths and…
Slate has been a staple building material for hundreds of years, from historical buildings in Pennsylvania sporting slate features, to now where it’s seeing a bit of a resurgence. With modern rustic design becoming huge over the last decade that seems to have risen hand-in-hand with the craft brewery boom. For a local example to…
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are reconsidering how we go about our cleaning routines. This and other recent health scares shed light on how paramount it is to maintain clean and safe food-prep surfaces especially. With that being said, there are special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to cleaning and…
Stone paved floors, walkways and roads have been an architectural staple for hundreds of years for good reason: they last. Now in an age of man-made concrete and pavement replacing stone for most of these tasks, a well done natural-stone patio has become quite the luxury for homeowners. A great place to cook, spend time…
It wasn’t too long ago when prospective home buyers would set up smartphone alerts for MLS descriptions that mentioned granite countertops. These days, “quartz” is just as likely to be the term they plug into their real estate searches. This trend has resulted in a debate centered on the merits of quartz versus granite. Though…
OK, so you have a tiled shower. Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, the bad news for your grout is that mold and mildew thrive best in moist and warm places with minimal air circulation. The good news is that this is easily prevented by getting into a smart…
One of the first lessons in real estate investing (after location, location, location) is that the best value comes from the kitchen. A beautiful, well-appointed kitchen can make a sale itself, lending credence to why granite countertops are considered to be such a solid investment. Even if you’re not planning on selling anytime soon, you…
Having been used throughout history as a famously high end and luxurious building material, adorning everything from the Taj Mahal, to the ancient Egyptian pyramids and ubiquitous carved columns in Greece. To this day marble is prized for its high-class appearance, structural rigidity and unparalleled timelessness. However, all that beauty requires some rather specific maintenance…
Keeping your tile looking its best doesn’t just mean cleaning and caring for the tile itself, the grout in between needs some love too – and not just for aesthetic reasons. Sure, you want to prevent stains and discoloration, but there are some practical concerns that affect the longevity of your tile as well. Mildew…
If you’re looking into a remodel or finishing a new home, the amount of choices for every little detail can be enough to make any sane person’s eyes cross — especially in cases like these where the differences between two choices can be incredibly subtle. This is what we lovingly refer to as option paralysis….
If it was good enough to make up the majority of the Colosseum’s structure, we think it’s a safe bet travertine is up to the task in your home. That’s not to say this tough stone is maintenance free, though. While it has mostly stood the test of time structurally in Rome, keeping this natural…
Formed under intense heat and immense pressure over millions of years before finally cooling and being thrust up to the surface of the earth’s crust, your granite has gone through one heck of a journey to arrive at your house and adorning your kitchen. It would be a shame for it to make it all…
Granite has long been the countertop material of choice for new home builders and remodelers alike, but quartz is catching up fast for a number of good reasons. Unlike natural stone like granite or marble, quartz is an engineered material made up of more than 90 percent natural quartz aggregate, with the remaining compounds being…
If you look at architectural trends over time, it’s hard to find anything more consistent and timeless than stone tiling. Whether that be for flooring, showers or a stone tile wall, it has been a staple design choice through the ages. However, for all the glory that beautiful stone gets, the grout holding everything together…
Part of the incentive for going with quartz over natural stone is its durability and lower maintenance than other options such as granite – however, low maintenance doesn’t mean maintenance free! There are some specific things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining your quartz to keep them looking shiny and new for years…
If there is one thing that we’ve learned from MTV Cribs, it’s that the bedroom is where all the magic happens (seriously, they all say that). If there are two things we’ve learned, the second would be that natural-stone showers are a staple feature of just about every celebrity mansion since at least the year…
If you’ve recently had quartz countertops installed or just moved into a house with them already in place, you’ve probably heard all about how low maintenance they are — and it’s true, they are pretty easy to care for. However, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, and there are still some things to know about…
Forged over the course of thousands of years through intense heat and immense pressure deep underground, granite is tough stuff. However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely impervious to damage. Accidents, of course happen, but it’s important to be aware of the limitations of what your granite and other natural stone can handle, and what you…
With each slab being a unique piece of natural art, it’s easy to see why granite has become a staple building stone in the past few decades. Granite also has the reputation of being quite a resilient material, which is true, though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require care and maintenance to stay looking so…
“OK, OK, just tell me how to not mess this up” is something I find myself saying a lot these days. I know I can figure most things out as I go along, but it does help to get a quick rundown on the dos, don’ts, and “no seriously, don’t do thats” before embarking on…
Although stone tile may be hard to the touch, it’s more fragile and brittle than you may think. While stone is generally low maintenance, it needs specific care to look as good as possible, which should definitely be your goal. As this aesthetic stone floor Instagram account clearly demonstrates, your stone floors have tons of…
Over the past few decades, natural stone has quickly become one of the most popular building materials for home renovations as well as new build amenities. Whether it be for countertops, showers, backsplashes, patios or other features, stone has consistently been a solid investment. However, with that popularity comes a fair share of myths and…
Slate has been a staple building material for hundreds of years, from historical buildings in Pennsylvania sporting slate features, to now where it’s seeing a bit of a resurgence. With modern rustic design becoming huge over the last decade that seems to have risen hand-in-hand with the craft brewery boom. For a local example to…
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are reconsidering how we go about our cleaning routines. This and other recent health scares shed light on how paramount it is to maintain clean and safe food-prep surfaces especially. With that being said, there are special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to cleaning and…
Stone paved floors, walkways and roads have been an architectural staple for hundreds of years for good reason: they last. Now in an age of man-made concrete and pavement replacing stone for most of these tasks, a well done natural-stone patio has become quite the luxury for homeowners. A great place to cook, spend time…
It wasn’t too long ago when prospective home buyers would set up smartphone alerts for MLS descriptions that mentioned granite countertops. These days, “quartz” is just as likely to be the term they plug into their real estate searches. This trend has resulted in a debate centered on the merits of quartz versus granite. Though…
OK, so you have a tiled shower. Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, the bad news for your grout is that mold and mildew thrive best in moist and warm places with minimal air circulation. The good news is that this is easily prevented by getting into a smart…
One of the first lessons in real estate investing (after location, location, location) is that the best value comes from the kitchen. A beautiful, well-appointed kitchen can make a sale itself, lending credence to why granite countertops are considered to be such a solid investment. Even if you’re not planning on selling anytime soon, you…
Having been used throughout history as a famously high end and luxurious building material, adorning everything from the Taj Mahal, to the ancient Egyptian pyramids and ubiquitous carved columns in Greece. To this day marble is prized for its high-class appearance, structural rigidity and unparalleled timelessness. However, all that beauty requires some rather specific maintenance…
Keeping your tile looking its best doesn’t just mean cleaning and caring for the tile itself, the grout in between needs some love too – and not just for aesthetic reasons. Sure, you want to prevent stains and discoloration, but there are some practical concerns that affect the longevity of your tile as well. Mildew…
If you’re looking into a remodel or finishing a new home, the amount of choices for every little detail can be enough to make any sane person’s eyes cross — especially in cases like these where the differences between two choices can be incredibly subtle. This is what we lovingly refer to as option paralysis….
If it was good enough to make up the majority of the Colosseum’s structure, we think it’s a safe bet travertine is up to the task in your home. That’s not to say this tough stone is maintenance free, though. While it has mostly stood the test of time structurally in Rome, keeping this natural…
Formed under intense heat and immense pressure over millions of years before finally cooling and being thrust up to the surface of the earth’s crust, your granite has gone through one heck of a journey to arrive at your house and adorning your kitchen. It would be a shame for it to make it all…
Granite has long been the countertop material of choice for new home builders and remodelers alike, but quartz is catching up fast for a number of good reasons. Unlike natural stone like granite or marble, quartz is an engineered material made up of more than 90 percent natural quartz aggregate, with the remaining compounds being…
If you look at architectural trends over time, it’s hard to find anything more consistent and timeless than stone tiling. Whether that be for flooring, showers or a stone tile wall, it has been a staple design choice through the ages. However, for all the glory that beautiful stone gets, the grout holding everything together…
Part of the incentive for going with quartz over natural stone is its durability and lower maintenance than other options such as granite – however, low maintenance doesn’t mean maintenance free! There are some specific things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining your quartz to keep them looking shiny and new for years…
If there is one thing that we’ve learned from MTV Cribs, it’s that the bedroom is where all the magic happens (seriously, they all say that). If there are two things we’ve learned, the second would be that natural-stone showers are a staple feature of just about every celebrity mansion since at least the year…
If you’ve recently had quartz countertops installed or just moved into a house with them already in place, you’ve probably heard all about how low maintenance they are — and it’s true, they are pretty easy to care for. However, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, and there are still some things to know about…
Forged over the course of thousands of years through intense heat and immense pressure deep underground, granite is tough stuff. However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely impervious to damage. Accidents, of course happen, but it’s important to be aware of the limitations of what your granite and other natural stone can handle, and what you…
With each slab being a unique piece of natural art, it’s easy to see why granite has become a staple building stone in the past few decades. Granite also has the reputation of being quite a resilient material, which is true, though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require care and maintenance to stay looking so…
“OK, OK, just tell me how to not mess this up” is something I find myself saying a lot these days. I know I can figure most things out as I go along, but it does help to get a quick rundown on the dos, don’ts, and “no seriously, don’t do thats” before embarking on…
Although stone tile may be hard to the touch, it’s more fragile and brittle than you may think. While stone is generally low maintenance, it needs specific care to look as good as possible, which should definitely be your goal. As this aesthetic stone floor Instagram account clearly demonstrates, your stone floors have tons of…
Over the past few decades, natural stone has quickly become one of the most popular building materials for home renovations as well as new build amenities. Whether it be for countertops, showers, backsplashes, patios or other features, stone has consistently been a solid investment. However, with that popularity comes a fair share of myths and…
Slate has been a staple building material for hundreds of years, from historical buildings in Pennsylvania sporting slate features, to now where it’s seeing a bit of a resurgence. With modern rustic design becoming huge over the last decade that seems to have risen hand-in-hand with the craft brewery boom. For a local example to…
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are reconsidering how we go about our cleaning routines. This and other recent health scares shed light on how paramount it is to maintain clean and safe food-prep surfaces especially. With that being said, there are special considerations to keep in mind when it comes to cleaning and…
Stone paved floors, walkways and roads have been an architectural staple for hundreds of years for good reason: they last. Now in an age of man-made concrete and pavement replacing stone for most of these tasks, a well done natural-stone patio has become quite the luxury for homeowners. A great place to cook, spend time…
It wasn’t too long ago when prospective home buyers would set up smartphone alerts for MLS descriptions that mentioned granite countertops. These days, “quartz” is just as likely to be the term they plug into their real estate searches. This trend has resulted in a debate centered on the merits of quartz versus granite. Though…
OK, so you have a tiled shower. Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Well, the bad news for your grout is that mold and mildew thrive best in moist and warm places with minimal air circulation. The good news is that this is easily prevented by getting into a smart…
One of the first lessons in real estate investing (after location, location, location) is that the best value comes from the kitchen. A beautiful, well-appointed kitchen can make a sale itself, lending credence to why granite countertops are considered to be such a solid investment. Even if you’re not planning on selling anytime soon, you…
Having been used throughout history as a famously high end and luxurious building material, adorning everything from the Taj Mahal, to the ancient Egyptian pyramids and ubiquitous carved columns in Greece. To this day marble is prized for its high-class appearance, structural rigidity and unparalleled timelessness. However, all that beauty requires some rather specific maintenance…
Keeping your tile looking its best doesn’t just mean cleaning and caring for the tile itself, the grout in between needs some love too – and not just for aesthetic reasons. Sure, you want to prevent stains and discoloration, but there are some practical concerns that affect the longevity of your tile as well. Mildew…
If you’re looking into a remodel or finishing a new home, the amount of choices for every little detail can be enough to make any sane person’s eyes cross — especially in cases like these where the differences between two choices can be incredibly subtle. This is what we lovingly refer to as option paralysis….
If it was good enough to make up the majority of the Colosseum’s structure, we think it’s a safe bet travertine is up to the task in your home. That’s not to say this tough stone is maintenance free, though. While it has mostly stood the test of time structurally in Rome, keeping this natural…
Formed under intense heat and immense pressure over millions of years before finally cooling and being thrust up to the surface of the earth’s crust, your granite has gone through one heck of a journey to arrive at your house and adorning your kitchen. It would be a shame for it to make it all…
Granite has long been the countertop material of choice for new home builders and remodelers alike, but quartz is catching up fast for a number of good reasons. Unlike natural stone like granite or marble, quartz is an engineered material made up of more than 90 percent natural quartz aggregate, with the remaining compounds being…
If you look at architectural trends over time, it’s hard to find anything more consistent and timeless than stone tiling. Whether that be for flooring, showers or a stone tile wall, it has been a staple design choice through the ages. However, for all the glory that beautiful stone gets, the grout holding everything together…
Part of the incentive for going with quartz over natural stone is its durability and lower maintenance than other options such as granite – however, low maintenance doesn’t mean maintenance free! There are some specific things to keep in mind when cleaning and maintaining your quartz to keep them looking shiny and new for years…
If there is one thing that we’ve learned from MTV Cribs, it’s that the bedroom is where all the magic happens (seriously, they all say that). If there are two things we’ve learned, the second would be that natural-stone showers are a staple feature of just about every celebrity mansion since at least the year…
If you’ve recently had quartz countertops installed or just moved into a house with them already in place, you’ve probably heard all about how low maintenance they are — and it’s true, they are pretty easy to care for. However, low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance, and there are still some things to know about…
Forged over the course of thousands of years through intense heat and immense pressure deep underground, granite is tough stuff. However, that doesn’t mean it’s completely impervious to damage. Accidents, of course happen, but it’s important to be aware of the limitations of what your granite and other natural stone can handle, and what you…
With each slab being a unique piece of natural art, it’s easy to see why granite has become a staple building stone in the past few decades. Granite also has the reputation of being quite a resilient material, which is true, though that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require care and maintenance to stay looking so…
“OK, OK, just tell me how to not mess this up” is something I find myself saying a lot these days. I know I can figure most things out as I go along, but it does help to get a quick rundown on the dos, don’ts, and “no seriously, don’t do thats” before embarking on…
