grout color selection

Proper Grout Color Selection

Grout color, believe it or not, is perhaps the most significant contributor to the overall look of your tiled floor or wall. You can spend months searching for just the perfect tile choice, only to end up disappointed because of a poor grout color decision. This article will assist you in what to consider before making your final color selection.

First, keep in mind that it is the tile itself (the largest expense of this project) that should be making the design statement, not the grout. Any grout color choice should only compliment the ceramic tile, not dominate it. If a light color tile was chosen, then a corresponding light color grout should be used. A medium colored tile, a medium colored grout and so forth. The last thing you want is to have your tile look like it was set in asphalt and this is precisely what happens when dark grouts are used with light colored tiles.

Here is a misnomer, 'dark colored grouts are easy to keep clean'. This couldn't be further from the truth.  In reality, dark grouts are almost impossible to keep clean. One reason for this is that most soil and dirt is light colored and will show up readily (actually be highlighted) on a darker grout. The other reason is most liquid spills will dry leaving an alkali residue (white film) which is very difficult to clean.

Light to medium colored grouts, on the other hand, will be considerably easier to keep clean and looking like new. Simply damp mop as needed with a solution of warm water and a small amount of liquid bleach (yes bleach!). The small amount of bleach will get rid of any imbedded soiling such as dried liquids spills and will result in a new looking floor.

For stubborn 'stains', squeeze some Soft-Scrub (brand name of liquid bleach cleaner) directly onto the joint and gently work to a lather with a nylon bristle brush. Let set for a few minutes, and then rinse with a warm water and bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach to 1 Gal water). Stay off floor until dry (grout takes longer to dry than the actual floor), and you will be amazed at the results. Please note that this cleaning method is to be used on LIGHT COLORED GROUT ONLY!

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