How can I remove drywall dust from grout?

Question

So my grey grout now looks white because of drywall dust. I have tried to vacuum it and clean it with various substances but it's not coming up. Has anyone had this problem or know how to fix it? TIA

~Stacy

David Niles · Answer

Not cured or sealed...not good.  Worse case scenario you can use a grout blade and remove some from the top and regrout.  Lesson learned and dont forget to use a good sealer afterwards, makes clean up simple.

George P. · Answer

this brings back memories.... terrible, nightmarish memories..

good luck.

Account Closed · Answer

@Sylvia B. asked, was the grout thoroughly dry before the dust fell on it?  If not, then it's not likely to simply come up.

And since I just recently had an issue with gray grout not curing to the proper color (it had a whitewash look to it) are you certain it's drywall dust?

Regardless of cause, if you've cleaned it well and it still looks bad, I suggest using a grout stain.

Ken Quagliata · Answer

it is very hard to get it out. I suggest mixing a non sanded grout to a very liquid almost water consistency and squeegee it over the  effected grout. You can clean it up with a wet sponge afterwards. Sheetrock dust and compound dust just seems to get into every nook and cranny of the grout and is almost impossible to get out. I tried steaming it and hard bristle brush and it’s never perfect. Regrouting it with the watered down version of the grout will stain it back to the color you started with. Good luck!

Jeremy Dolan · Answer

Try a steam cleaner, those usually do the trick.

Jim Adrian · Answer

Are you sure its drywall dust?  It could be efflorescence on the grout from too much moisture.  This would look like a whitewashing.  This is common on brick and masonry walls on buildings but can happen to tile grout as well.    If you had water sitting on this spot it could be calcium deposits (hard water)  as well.     You need a muriatic acid cleaner for this.   Below are 2 links  on a google search.  I have not used the products.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Klean-Strip-1-gal-Green-Muriatic-Acid-GKGM75006/202690263

http://www.menards.com/main/paint/cleaners-thinners-removers/paint-stain-cleaners/water-based/sunnyside-muriatic-acid/paint/solvents-cleaners-removers/strippers-removers/sunnyside-muriatic-acid-1-gal/

You could always re-grout the joints in that area.

Stacy E. · Answer

Thanks everyone for your ideas.  Unfortunately, the grout was not cured and I had not sealed it.  Using a steam cleaner is a great idea.  I will try that and then the air compressor.  I did try dust off and that didn't work.  I guess this is one of those live and learn things.  In the future I will use some of that brown paper or the cardboard stuff.  I figure worst case scenario I will just regrout...

Asa Gunderman · Answer

would an air compressor do the trick?

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Yes, I didn't think it would work but I used one of those steam cleaners from HD with the dinky looking little hand held "wand", that actually worked well.

Max T. · Answer

A handheld steam cleaner would probably do the trick.

I have the same problem but don't have that tool yet. My problem got a lot better with some scrubbing with a plastic bristle brush and some ajax powder bleach, but its not totally gone yet.

How can I remove drywall dust from grout?

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