Dealing with old 1950s tile floors

last year

After almost 20 years of trying to keep these clean I've had it. But, I like the old school look of them and really don't want to replace.

This is after mopping with an Ocedar spin mop, which is what I now use. Didn't make a dent in the ground in dirt - the old fashioned mops with a scrubber did a little better of course. I've found I can tediously scrub this kind of grime out with a strong brush and something like CLR, and get most of it out eventually. It will look better for a while, and then my messy gardening lifestyle tracks in some dirt and it all starts over again.

Can someone recommend a grout sealer than might make this so a basic mopping will catch this? Or is it hopeless?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

millworkman
last year
Stanley Steamer or another quality steam cleaner will clean that grout. Basic mopping will definitely catch that with most sealers, just keep up on the sealing and the mopping.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7) thanked millworkman
dani_m08
last year
It's so odd - I have made this same comment three times in about two weeks.

The Pink Stuff:

Only the paste - not the liquid spray.

Rotary scrub brush:

There are many options - it's nice to buy one that has a bunch of different types of scrub heads/brushes + replacement brushes that you can purchase once the ones that come with the scrubber become worn + IP7 for water resistance.

The two together work really well (plus, they both work on a lot of other things).

Once you have it completely cleaned up, you can add a grout sealant. I don't have a recommendation on that for you - I'm sure that you will receive some suggestions by other Houzz users shortly. If not, go to John Bridge Tile Forum - they have great pros on there who are happy to provide recommendations + advice re: all things related to tile.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7) thanked dani_m08
Related Professionals
Tampa Custom Closet Designers · Newark Custom Closet Designers · Sheridan Custom Closet Designers · Manhattan Interior Designers & Decorators · New London Interior Designers & Decorators · Everett Interior Designers & Decorators · Anchorage Interior Designers & Decorators · Lagrange Interior Designers & Decorators · California Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rochester Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Provo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Trenton Bathroom Remodelers · Provo Bathroom Remodelers · Carbondale Tile and Stone Contractors · Bowling Green Tile and Stone Contractors
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
Fill a bottle with half bleach and half water and mist it down, then sprinkle some Comet on it. Let it dwell for several hours and the floor will look like new.
UpperBayGardener (zone 7) thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC