Professional Grout/Tile Cleaner- Taipei-Keelung

[Achtung Baby]

Hello,

I just moved into an apartment in Qi-Du between Taipei and Keelung (Jilong). Overall it's a nice place but it could use someone to come in and clean the grout/between the tiles. Anybody know of any professionals that do this or should I just call my leasing agent? Failing this, any DIY tips?

[Mucha Man]

I don't know about pros but I use Mr Muscle (orange bottle with a 5 on it: 5 in one) and a wire brush. Works well. For serious mold you may need to lay cotton wadding down first as this keeps the cleaner from evaporating too quickly.

[Achtung Baby]

Thanks! I will give this a shot- I used Mr. Muscle 5-in-1 to mop my floors when I moved in and was quite pleased, so I'll pick up a wire brush and go to town if I don't hear of any professional services. There is nothing that warrants cotton wadding...I wouldn't have moved in here if the situation was that bad, haha. Thanks for the tip!

[*monkey*]

B&Q sells this liquid grout. It works really well, but it ain't cheap.

http://www.seentvcanada.com/fix-it-grout-p-445.html

[Taiwan Luthiers]

Professional services seems difficult to find... almost as though Taiwanese favors chabuduo tradesman (probably because they're cheap).

Muratic acids (Hydrochloric Acid) is readily available in Taiwan, both the diluted and the fully concentrated version... they work wonders on any calcium based scums and in my experience really whitens the grout. That and a pressure washer should deal with most dirt.

Do buy the dilute hydrochloric acid though, as the full strength stuff is VERY corrosive and while you can dilute it yourself, it is unsafe unless you know how to do it. Remember what your Chemistry teacher told you, always ADD ACID TO WATER!!!

Sulfuric and Nitric acid is also readily available in Taiwan in chemistry stores, but you do not need them to clean tiles... they are also highly corrosive... do not use them for cleaning... they are far too strong and fairly dangerous to work with. They're better used as battery acid and possibly making explosives....

[Mucha Man]

B&Q sells this liquid grout. It works really well, but it ain't cheap.

http://www.seentvcanada.com/fix-it-grout-p-445.html

Doesn't that just cover the mold up?

[*monkey*]

I guess so. It covers up the old grout and fills the tiny cracks where the water seeps in.

Nuking tiles with bleaches or acids may pretty them up for a while. But the mold will grow right back unless the old grout is sealed against water ingress.

[Taiwan Luthiers]

I guess so. It covers up the old grout and fills the tiny cracks where the water seeps in.

Nuking tiles with bleaches or acids may pretty them up for a while. But the mold will grow right back unless the old grout is sealed against water ingress.

Clean it with acids, then seal them...

[Enigma]

Bottle of bleach and a breen scratch pad. Also go ask the neighbor if that cute young girl has some "elbo grease" to spare.

[tango42]

Also looking for a professional to take care of some very stained areas. The house and bathroom are nice, but the grout in the nice white marble living room floor and tile bathroom floor has turned dark from years of neglect.

Google research for worst case situations seems to point to cleaning with acid first followed by bleaching white again.

Vinegar is recommended (simple acid) for non-professionals by combine a 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/3 of a cup of vinegar and 1/2 a cup of baking soda into a plastic bucket. Add in 7 cups of water and stir the mixture together.

Then follow with some type of bleaching material with "oxygen bleach" highly recommended, whatever that means.

Have tried the bleach route first... nothing happened.