DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

I wonder if anyone can advise us on this problem? We have a tiled floor in the bathroom, and in the last 2 or 3 weeks, the grouting between these tiles has developed orangey, almost rust-coloured stains, especially close to the shower, but it seems to be spreading along the grouting.

It doesn't seem like mould, and I've just read on another site that this colour stain can be discolouration from acidic soaps and shampoos. I've tried using bleach and scrubbing, but although lots of 'orangey' stuff seems to come off when I do this, the stains are still there when the floor dries.

Does anyone know what these stains are, what I should do to remove them, and how to stop them coming back? I'm most concerned that it may be some kind of mould, and that we're going to need to get the floor retiled and grouted...

Many thanks for any help you can offer!

I have had similar problems with grouting, although mine was on the wall around the shower area. I've always thought the orange stuff was some sort of mouldy growth on soap and shampoo residue, but I'm not sure.

Anyway, I've found a marvellous product that worked wonders on cleaning up my grout AND the black mould on silicon round the bath - HG Mould Spray. Not particularly cheap at £5 a bottle, but worth every penny in my opinion. I only noticed the mould starting to creep back after about 6 months, but another quick spray seems to have done the trick.


Might be worth a try?

Good luck!