BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout

Subject: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Goose Gander
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:29 PM

Seriously, can someone help me with this? I've tried barkeeper's friend, oxyclean, white vinegar and water - all with plenty of scrubbing - and all to no avail.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:42 PM

Try muriatic acid.

Or sand the old grout out and regrout using a dark grout that won't show stains.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: gnomad
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:43 PM

Hydrogen Peroxide seems to have its followers, as does ordinary household bleach. A google of "grout bleach" will get you more answers than you are likely to want to read.

I haven't tried it but my gut instinct would be to try toothpaste & an old brush first, then probably H2O2 if that failed. Do let us know how you get on.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: gnu
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 06:55 PM

If all else fails, go to the old remedy... stain all the grout and tell guests the contractor messed up and you got the floor for free.

And keep you eyes up.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: GUEST,Rapaire
Date: 10 Jan 10 - 09:36 PM

Well, you might try denture cleaning powder (not tablets). Put a bit on a wet cloth and gentle rub the grout with it.

It'll clean coffee stains off a coffee cup, so it's worth a try.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: mousethief
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 02:11 AM

Grout is porous, so the coffee stains aren't so much ON the grout as IN the grout -- and could go pretty deep. I'm guessing one of the bleaches will work -- either H2O2 or chlorine (diluted a lot!). I'd rig up a way for the bleach to sit there for a while -- half an hour or more. Depending on how large an area you're cleaning I'd start with the H2O2 because it's safer -- unless your area is really large then I'd say just go straight to the chlorine because it's a lot cheaper. Don't get your face right over the chlorine, especially when pouring or diluting.

This is assuming the tiles are not porous, so they won't get bleached out too.

Now you just have to decide whose advice to take!

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 03:15 AM

When I've had to clean grout or caulking I've placed a sturdy paper towel (twisted into the right shape) over the area and poured dilute chlorine bleach over it. Or used an old scrap of fabric. It works just fine.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 05:24 AM

I use stuff such as Milton's, used neat, to get stains out of cups and off tiles. Supermarket equivalents are very cheap. They're good for sterilising dishcloths too. Not quite as harsh as household bleach. Dettox mould and mildew remover spray might be worth a try, or Flash spray with bleach.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:12 AM

I cleaned my bathroom tiles a few weeks ago, well, the grouting part...with neat, household bleach put into a jam jar, and an old toothbrush.   The stains were horrible, really brown in places...but now it all looks like new! Brilliant White.

Loads of elbow grease needed though, and patience...but it really works.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Goose Gander
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 10:40 AM

Thanks, everyone. I'll think I'll try bleach and a toothbrush.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 03:49 PM

Try using the bleach from a spray bottle.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Tangledwood
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 04:39 PM

I've never found the need to grout my coffee cup. Get a new cup.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: gnu
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 05:02 PM

mousethief!!!! How the heck are ya? Haven't seen you in a dog's age!

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 05:20 PM

What color is the grout?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 06:26 PM

Every time I glance at this thread title I think it says "Getting Coffee Stains Off a Goat". The obvious answer is "Barbecue the goat and then get a brown one that won't show stains."

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:20 PM

I thought I knew
ANd I could teach her
What the world was
All about
I'd instruct her
And protect her,
And bring her inner angel out.
But my plans all went haywire,
My broken heart is left to pout
'Cuz our love just could not handle
Getting Coffee Stains off Grout

I did n't know, cuz Mama never taught me,
'Bout peroxide or chlorine
And when she learned about my failing
Well it started quite a scene.
So now my angel, she has fallen,
She's left our home, to run about
All because I couldn't tell her
How to get coffee stains off Grout.


(Brought to you compliments of the Coffee Drinking House Husband here at WWVA, folks, where True Tales make the Best Country Music.... Don't touch that dial!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:44 PM

Goose Gander: if you are in the UK, try Dettox Antibacterial Mould and Mildew Remover. It is truly amazing. No scrubbing - just spray, leave for a few minutes, and rinse.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 07:54 PM

Why?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 08:13 PM

Umm - because it works?

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:30 PM

The point is well made that the discoloration has seeped into the porous body of the grout lines. If it cannot be brought out by superficial treatments you will have to take the grout out using a particular tool such as a Fein Multimaster or some similar thing, and cut the grout out where it has been stained down below the tiler-line and re-grout the void.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: mousethief
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:42 PM

Re-grout the void? Sounds like something from science fiction.

Hi gnu! Good to be back. I'm hanging in there. Lookin' for a job but who isn't these days?

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Amos
Date: 11 Jan 10 - 11:44 PM

Ah, grasshoppel, it is so! Before enlightenment, grout and tile the void. After enlightenment, re-grout the void.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Gurney
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 01:56 AM

Readers Digest suggest Chlorine Bleach.
To PREVENT coffee stains (in crockery) treat with 1:3 solution of 30% Hydrogen Peroxide and water, which also contains one added drop of Clear Ammonia. Then rinse.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 02:58 AM

I used to have tiled surfaces in my kitchen. Every week when I cleaned the kitchen, the grout had been stained with stuff like tea and coffee; the Dettox never failed to remove the stains, without the need for scrubbing. If you are based in the UK (and can therefore get it) I would try this before doing anything so drastic as re-grouting.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 05:06 AM

If you do end up regrouting consider using an epoxy grout. I had worksurfaces I did that way in an earlier home, and nothing penetrated that grouting. It was a less-brilliant white than a water-based white grout, but it never discoloured at all. Sorry but I can't remember the brand name.

Mind you, it was a hard job getting the grout in, smoothed, and completely cleaned up before it hardened, which is a chemical reaction rather than a drying process. These days I would probably get a professional to tackle the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 05:47 AM

If the re-grouting is to be on work surfaces where food is prepared, I think only certain types of grout are recommended as safe...

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 08:32 AM

Or you could just just rub coffee over the rest of the grout so it matches.

Subject: RE: BS: Getting Coffee Stains off Grout
From: Goose Gander
Date: 12 Jan 10 - 10:33 AM

Thanks, everyone. I've decided I'll stick with bleach and water. I can't get that Dettox stuff over here. Re-grouting - hell's bells! - we just grouted, otherwise I wouldn't bother.