Grout residue on tile… tips to remove
artisanaustin
| Posted in General Discussion on
I just installed ceramic tile, and the surface of the tile had some indentions that were discolored by the grout. It doesn’t feel sandy (I used sanded grout), but the color stayed. The grout has dried overnight now, and I was wondering if there are any tricks to cleaning it off. Also, any recommendations for post install tile floor cleaner in general? Thanks..
Edited 3/26/2007 7:55 pm ET by artisanaustin
Replies
It's kinda too late now. You could try a scrungy pad like you scrub pots, or a bronze brillo pad and water. Don't use a steel wool pad cuz it will rust and stain the tile and grout.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thanks for the reply fastEddie.
So for next time I just need to be more diligent about getting the tiles completely clean before I let it dry for the night? I was worried if I scrubbed too hard I would mess up the grout before it was cured..
You could also try a vinager/water solution with the scrubby if there is haze. The longer it stays on the hareder it is to get off.
I saw that problem on an epoxy grout job recently- poor cleanup. I found a technical reference at http://www.laticrete.com (TDS 198.doc) which offered suggestions and procedures for removing the haze. Your cementitious grout will be a bit different, but maybe you can surf around their site and find something similar.
Regardless of what product you find to clean it, serious elbow grease will be required.
If you can't find the tech doc I referenced, let me know and I can email it to you.
"Good design is good business"
Florence Schust Knoll (1917-)
First try a vinegar and water solution. Also, you can contact the grout manufacturer and they will tell you where to buy their grout haze remover (almost all manufacturers sell this). If all else fails, you can use sulfamic acid -- they sell the acid crystals at tile stores and maybe at a big box store. You will need to use elbow grease, but be sure you use only the white plastic scrubby pads. Other color scrubbies may color the tile/grout.
The sooner you do this, the better.
Billy
I think they sell a product for that. Grougt Haze Remover I think it was called. I tried some for a smilar situation - it didn't work - but I finally decided that different die lots of the tile had a slightly different look to them so it wasn't anything to do with grout or grout cleanup.