Many homes in Florida have tile floors and many homeowners consider replacing their tile before listing their property.
After working hard to install brand new tile you want to sit back and enjoy your pretty new space. Sometimes after all that hard work, you may notice a haze over the tiles. This is grout haze and its perfectly normal to have this. The last thing you probably want to do right now is more work, but with the following techniques, you can get it cleaned up and be back to enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Here are some ways to clean up grout haze after installing tile. Start with the gentler methods first and work toward tougher methods if needed.
Dry Cheesecloth
If you get to the grout haze quickly enough your clean-up efforts may be as simple as wiping it away with a dry cheesecloth. Make sure the grout has been drying for at least 24 hours before trying this, you don’t want to ruin your grout lines. Simply loosen the grout on the tile faces with the cloth and then either sweep or vacuum up the dust.
Towel Dampened with Water
If the dry cheesecloth isn’t removing the haze, it’s time to dip the cheesecloth in water and try again. Make sure it is just damp and not soaking wet. Use a bit more vigorous scrubbing action to rub out the haze on each tile. Sometimes the water will cause the grout to become wet again and help to release it from the tile.
Diluted Vinegar
If the plain water method isn’t working up your cleaning solution power by adding some vinegar. Note: the vinegar method should only be used on tile that is not natural stone or porous. For porcelain and ceramic tile, mix ¾ of water and ¼ of vinegar together. Wipe the haze using a soft cloth dipped in the solution adding a bit more vinegar if the haze isn’t lifting. When finished removing the haze, rinse the tiles by wiping again with plain water.
Commercial Grout Haze Remover
If the grout haze won’t come up after trying the previous methods it is time to try a commercial grout haze remover. Make sure to purchase one made specifically for your type of grout, you do not want to accidentally etch or ruin your new tile. Before using the haze remover make sure to read all of the instructions carefully, have proper protective equipment like gloves and glasses, and ventilate the area by opening up the windows. When you are done cleaning as directed don’t forget to rinse the tiles clean with a new cloth dampened with plain water.
The best way to clean your freshly laid tiles is to use the least abrasive method that is effective at removing the haze. How hard you have to work to get the haze removed will depend upon how long it has been on the tiles and what type of tile you have. Once your grout is set it is also a good idea to apply sealant to protect it.
For professional tile and grout cleaning and sealing in Woodinville and surrounding areas make an appointment online or over the phone with All Kleen.
