Our frequently asked questions cover some of the most common inquiries our team of grout specialists receives. Some are specific to high-humidity areas because of our home base in Central Florida, but many cover everyday tile and grout needs that apply to any home.
Check out the FAQs below to learn more about how our team brings your home’s beautiful, bright sparkle back to life—even on surfaces that feel completely past the point of repair. Then, contact us to learn more about what Mrs. Grout can do to make your showers and floors like new again.
Grout is a combination of cement, sand, and rock that is often dyed a specific color to match different shades and patterns of tile. When tile is applied to a floor or wall, it is set in place using an adhesive. It is necessary to leave joints in between the tiles to allow the adhesive to dry and the moisture to escape. This drying process can take up to 30 days to completely cure, requiring the use of a porous grout to fill the joints and strengthen the floor or wall. The porousness in the grout allows the moisture to escape from the adhesive and prevents the tile from buckling.
Grout is like a sponge with thousands of little holes in it.
The same porous properties that allow moisture to escape after tile installation will absorb dirt stains and spills. This can cause the grout to become stained or discolored. Tile is very easy to clean and maintain using a mop and a basic solution of water and a mild detergent. During the process of mopping the tile, the mop gets dirty, which results in the spreading of dirty water throughout the grout. The grout, being sponge-like, immediately absorbs all the dirty water.
Every time a tile floor is mopped, the grout will become one shade darker than it was previously. It is typical for homeowners who mop their floor often to have dirtier, darker grout lines. More often than not, the harder you try to clean the grout, the dirtier it gets. Instead of mopping with lots of water, try following our tips for keeping tile floors in great shape.
You may need a complete shower restoration if you’re dealing with stubborn mildew in the corners, peeling caulk, cracked joint lines, or discolored tile that everyday scrubbing can’t fix.
Rather than tearing out walls or living with dingy tile, Mrs. Grout’s process deep-cleans and color-seals the tile and grout, and seals the joints with silicone. We deliver that brand-new shower look without the demo dust or contractor prices.
While every home is unique, cleaning and restoring your tile and grout is more affordable than replacing it. A complete bathroom or flooring remodel usually costs thousands of dollars and weeks of construction disruption.
With Mrs. Grout, homeowners spend a fraction of that to get results that look brand new in just one day. Because project size, grout condition, and layout vary, we’ll take a look at your space and give you an honest, no-surprises quote.
In most homes, we’re in and out in just one day. Occasionally, a second visit is needed a day or two later to seal grout on certain shower types. A typical one-shower project takes between 6 and 8 hours, and your in-home estimator will give you an estimate of the total time for your job when they evaluate your space.
Projects like cleaning grout on kitchen floor tiles or shower tile walls are wrapped up in a day, so you can get right back to enjoying your home. We know your time is valuable, which is why our team works efficiently and always gives you an upfront schedule before getting started.
Most tile installations use either sanded grout (rough and porous, typical for floors) or unsanded grout (smooth, common in showers).
To identify exactly what’s in your home and how to treat it, dive deep into the grout characteristics thoroughly covered in our guide on different types of grout and how to choose the right fit.
Absolutely! Homeowners often worry that missing, cracked, or deteriorating grout means tearing out the entire floor or shower, but full replacement isn’t necessary. Good grout should never be removed or completely replaced.
At Mrs. Grout, we focus on deep-cleaning and restoration over demolition. Our team targets the damaged areas for repair, giving the surrounding lines a meticulous deep clean, handling small caulk fixes, and sealing everything tight.
CLEAR PROTECTIVE SEALANTS
All clear sealers, regardless of which chemical they are, will turn yellow over time. Some sealers will last longer than others, but all clear sealers will have to be periodically reapplied. Reapplying the clear sealer is not as simple as putting on a second coat every couple of years. The original coat of sealer that has turned yellow has to be completely stripped from the grout prior to applying the new coat of sealer. Grout color sealers will not turn yellow over time because of the pigments and dyes that are used to color them. If a grout color sealer begins to break down or deteriorate over time, it can be reapplied directly over the old color sealer without having to strip the floor.
COLOR PROTECTIVE SEALANTS
Whether the grout is brand new or it has just been cleaned, the grout will never be perfect and will always have some discoloration. Applying a clear sealer will not change the appearance of the grout and will simply seal what is already there. It is physically impossible to remove deeply embedded stains from grout without actually removing and replacing the grout. Even brand-new grout tends to have stains and discoloration due to the dirt in the air and water. When grout is being applied to a new tile floor, it typically takes several different batches to finish. Every time a different batch is made, the color can vary slightly, causing an uneven multicolored look. Using a colored grout sealer will allow the grout to be completely re-colored to a truly brand new, even look. It does not matter how discolored or stained the grout is before the color sealing. Color sealers will cover the discoloration, much like painting a wall.
First, you will need to allow your shower to fully dry. The amount of time this takes varies depending on the package you chose.
When you’re ready to begin daily cleaning, we recommend using a non-alkaline cleaner. For deep cleaning, we recommend degreasers like Mr. Clean. Please avoid harsh chemicals like acid cleaners on your restored tile and grout since they can remove the protective sealant.
Most importantly, allow for good air circulation so the shower can dry completely between uses. This will help preserve your like-new finish for longer.
Mildew can easily be removed by spraying a mildew remover (bleach) solution and allowing it to sit on the mildew until it is gone, or by cutting out and removing the mildew. However, the downside of this is that bleach and other acidic cleaners, when used over time, will break down and erode the grout lines. The only way to truly remove the mold and/or mildew is to remove the infected area of caulk, silicone, or grout, treat it for mold, and then replace it. Otherwise, the mold will return in the same spot unless the spores are killed.
Soap scum is present in every shower and bathtub that has soap being used in it. Soap scum is a light film of soap that builds up on the tile and grout as it is being rinsed from your body. Soap scum typically appears as a dull white film, but can be different colors based on the soap. Soap scum can be removed in most cases, but you may need a professional in extreme cases. Soap scum on shower doors requires a specialty cleaner and treatment process.
Soap scum can be removed by several different products and techniques. There are several different brands of soap scum cleaners available at various retail stores. You will want to liberally spray the soap scum down with the cleaner and allow it to sit and soften the area. Once the soap scum is softened, generously apply another round of cleaner and scrub the area with a scour pad. To prevent soap scum build-up, spray the shower walls down at least once a week with soap scum remover after you’re done showering and allow it to dry with the shower.
Many showers and bathtubs require a bead of silicone around joints and edges to waterproof the area. Caulk should never be used in a shower or bathtub. Caulk is intended for windows and doors, while silicone is intended for showers and bathtubs. If mildew is present in the silicone, it means that water is penetrating into or behind the silicone, and it needs to be completely removed and reapplied.
We don’t just surface-clean tile, and we don’t push expensive remodels. We restore what you already love with meticulous care. While many companies treat grout as an afterthought or rely on quick surface sprays, Mrs. Grout’s 7-Step Process deep-cleans and protects your surfaces for the long haul.
Beyond the method, it’s our people who make the real difference. Inspired by the spirit of Rosie the Riveter, our women-led teams bring unmatched pride, attention to detail, and heart and hustle into every home. We treat your space with genuine respect, communicate with complete honesty, and deliver sparkling results you can feel proud of the moment you walk into the room.
We do the heavy lifting for you! Unlike services that ask you to empty your rooms, Mrs. Grout handles moving standard furniture, such as couches, and major appliances, including refrigerators, washers, and dryers. Once our 7-Step Process is complete, we put every piece right back where it belongs. All we ask is that you tuck away small, fragile keepsakes and clear any everyday floor clutter so we can get right to work.
Much sooner than with a messy renovation! You can use your shower 24 hours after they are sealed. Floors can be walked on immediately; just be sure to keep water and cleaners off the surface for at least a day.
Our technicians will leave you a detailed use and care sheet for reference after your work is complete. We’ve also created several videos to help make cleaning and maintenance a breeze.
The choice is entirely up to you! We can match your existing color for a seamless reset, or change it completely for a whole new style. To make sure you love the end result, we put test colors right onto your actual grout lines during prep. You’ll see the real finish under your own lights before we lock it in.
No guesswork, no surprises, just a sparkling finish you’re excited about.
No pressure and zero cost. Our office manager will follow up to book a free home visit around your schedule.
From there, an expert visits your space to assess your tile’s condition, talk through your finish and color options, and provide a clear, accurate total cost on the spot.
You get the insight you need to make the right choice for your home.
