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PGerard · Feb 6, 2007, 06:39 PM

Good Evening. I recently laid a really nice porcelain floor in my new basement washroom. In my haste, I did not fully clean the grout off the surface of the tiles, and had not had time to go back to it for several days. This tile is not smooth and the grout has managed to lodge itslef firmly into it and now I can't begin to imagine how I'm ever going to get it out. We've searched online to find solutions, but I'd like to hear some true testimonials from others who've done it for real before and can tell me about it.

Thankfully most of the bathroom is OK since I was more careful after the initial part (washer and dryer section) was done, but I'd still really like to get that cleaned and I could use some ideas .

Thank-you

RubyPitbull · Feb 8, 2007, 05:41 PM

Well, PGerard, I congratulate you on your ability to lay down the floor by yourself!

I had the same problem, only I didn't do the work myself. Many years ago, I had hired someone to renovate my place. In retiling the floor, he never wiped the grout off. AT ALL. I called him to clean up the mess he made. It sat there for probably a few days before the guy finally showed. Needless to say, you know what kind of a problem that created. He used an acid wash on my floor. But, I wouldn't recommend that in your situation. You mentioned that you used porcelain and any acid wash could really damage your beautiful floor.

The best suggestion I have is to contact the manufacturer of the tile. You might want to check to see if they have a website. They will be able to advise you as to the best product to use so you don't damage the floor. They may very well sell a product that is specifically designed for this problem. A lot of tile manufacturers do that.

Hope this helped.

PGerard · Feb 9, 2007, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

Well, PGerard, I congratulate you on your ability to lay down the floor by yourself!

I had the same problem, only I didn't do the work myself. Many years ago, I had hired someone to renovate my place. In retiling the floor, he never wiped the grout off. AT ALL. I called him to clean up the mess he made. It sat there for probably a few days before the guy finally showed. Needless to say, you know what kind of a problem that created. He used an acid wash on my floor. But, I wouldn't recommend that in your situation. You mentioned that you used porcelain and any acid wash could really damage your beautiful floor.

The best suggestion I have is to contact the manufacturer of the tile. You might want to check to see if they have a website. They will be able to advise you as to the best product to use so you don't damage the floor. They may very well sell a product that is specifically designed for this problem. A lot of tile manufacturers do that.

Hope this helped.

Thanks Ruby. We will go to Home depot later today and check it out. The tile is "Granito Cotto"... my wife did go to the website and they recommended an acid wash as well... but did mention that we should be very careful with it. This grout is also non-sanded Polymer grout, which means it's less porous than standard sanded grout, and this makes it even more of a challenge to clean up... oh well

Anyway, thanks for your response... I have to admit I wasn't expecting a miraculous solution...

Pat.

RubyPitbull · Feb 9, 2007, 07:27 AM

You are welcome Pat. Although I am not a "professional" I noticed no one answered your question and didn't want you to feel ignored. And, since this did happen to me,. :)

Just be very, very careful with the acid wash. Follow all directions to a T. If it doesn't mention it in the instructions, use rubber work gloves to protect your skin and make sure there is ventilation -- open a window.

PGerard · Feb 12, 2007, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

You are welcome Pat. Although I am not a "professional" I noticed no one answered your question and didn't want you to feel ignored. And, since this did happen to me,.... :)

Just be very, very careful with the acid wash. Follow all directions to a T. If it doesn't mention it in the instructions, use rubber work gloves to protect your skin and make sure there is ventilation -- open a window.

Hey, I bought this stuff called "GroutBuster". It worked really well, and yes, we wore gloves and glasses to protect our eyes from splashing.

Good Night...

RubyPitbull · Feb 12, 2007, 05:33 PM

Thanks for letting me know the outcome! Sometimes we are left wondering what happened. I will remember the GroutBuster. Thanks!

momathome · Aug 23, 2009, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by RubyPitbull

Well, PGerard, I congratulate you on your ability to lay down the floor by yourself!

I had the same problem, only I didn't do the work myself. Many years ago, I had hired someone to renovate my place. In retiling the floor, he never wiped the grout off. AT ALL. I called him to clean up the mess he made. It sat there for probably a few days before the guy finally showed. Needless to say, you know what kind of a problem that created. He used an acid wash on my floor. But, I wouldn't recommend that in your situation. You mentioned that you used porcelain and any acid wash could really damage your beautiful floor.

The best suggestion I have is to contact the manufacturer of the tile. You might want to check to see if they have a website. They will be able to advise you as to the best product to use so you don't damage the floor. They may very well sell a product that is specifically designed for this problem. A lot of tile manufacturers do that.

Hope this helped.

I have this same issue, but couldn't possibly do the acid wash (dogs, kids, environment, etc). Is there another way?

Karchnocle · Jun 27, 2010, 02:43 PM

I came to this site looking for an answer. The acid wash was out of the question and I have people coming to seal the floor, possibly tomorrow. They had washed the floor twice when they were finished grouting, but I still had streaks that showed when the light hit them a certain way. So we just started in with clear water and terry cloth towels and scrubbed each tile. You could tell when a tile had a light coating of grout because the towel kind of dragged at first, but if you continued to scrub, it would eventually wash off. We are about 2/3 of the way through the job (on hands and knees) and it's looking good.

el_gallo · Sep 9, 2010, 01:14 PM

I just put down the same floor and I used a small steel brush (size of a toothbrush) and Tile Lab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper. Worked like a charm, just watch that you don't get too aggressive near the grout lines, it will remove the grout!

magazinegals · Sep 9, 2011, 09:52 AM

I have tiles that are very textured and I'm cutting all the old grout(cream color) and replacing with dark grey grout. A nightmare project-someone should have done an intervention but it's tooooo late. I had a section of my LARGE floor that dried too quickly cause I had the a/c turned on. It was impossible to scrub clean with water/brushes, etc.

I've used several methods to clean it up - a product made to remove CAULK was easiest, I sprayed on tile center and spread it out with a small nail brush thingie(about 3" long-dollar store item). I let it set and wiped it clean and it worked like magic and didn't pull out the new grout when it drifted overtop.

I've also used a tile/grout cleaning product that also worked well. I'm being careful not to get it into the new grout.

I'm using dry household rags to clean the loosened residue. Switch them often. Better than sponges, etc.

Good luck everyone and thanks for tips. Going to try vinegar as someone suggested.

magazinegals · Sep 9, 2011, 12:08 PM

AHA! Simple SIMPLE - it even took off haze that contractor's helper left on bath tiles a few years ago (helper ditched my job to hit the bar and things ended badly for him... eeek!)

1. spray tile lightly with tile cleaner(non-acid) or the product I used that worked best was a spray caulk remover from Home Depot.
2. rub over tile with scrub brush
3. let set 2 min.
4. rub again with brush if tiles are porous or dimpled
5. Wipe with MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASER
6. wipe with dry cloth

My tiles look BRAND NEW. I also had a slight dust residue in the new grout lines and that's gone now too. Whoo hoo!!

magazinegals · Sep 9, 2011, 01:29 PM

I am also using the nonsanded polymer grout. Didn't want ANY more dog peepee getting in there. Sealing with heavy duty sealer too.

Any suggestions for finishing tile surface to keep it nice? Mine are ceramic, very dimpled, porous and the surface has different amounts of shine - made to be that way, they look very informal.

CUTTING OLD GROUT - tips based on tons of trial and error - if you have thick lines, you can CAREFULLY cut down the center of each line with a small grinder and a diamond cutting wheel. After that, I used a dremel mighty max with grout blades to cut UP + under to the edge of the tiles. I had to remove a big portion of the top grout layer because I was changing grout to opposite color(lite to dark). My tiles have irregular edges and were laid VERY POORLY so cutting old grout was difficult. The grinder got it going(but it will cut straight through the tile if you miss your lines). The dremel was awesome for cutting out the rest.

menad · Oct 18, 2011, 03:01 PM

Hi there my question is where did you purchase the granito cotto tile

Please and thank

marycatherine · Nov 17, 2011, 10:57 AM

I too was faced with the difficult job of cleaning up risidual grout left over from our tile guys. I tried straight white vinegar and a mild white scrub pad with great success. I amped it up a bit by using a flat mop head with a white scrub pad. I was then able to put my full body into it and not strain on my hands and knees. I let the vinegar sit on tiles for a while, then work the mop over floor. I rinsed with cotton mop head and hot water. Beautiful end resort!

clear2 · Oct 24, 2013, 02:21 AM

After reading all the suggestions I decided to try cleaning the long dried grout off my tiles, (that were laid by a professional) with steel wool, Steelo, and it is looking good. I have done about a third so far and now that the tiles are dry they look so much better.

mauropp · Apr 11, 2015, 11:02 PM

Thanks for all those who posted on how to remove grout from tiles. I have the same problem and I am now on my way to tackle it. I am going to try vinegar first. Wish me luck.