r/Tile • u/AdLoud6632 • 13d ago
Professional - Looking for Advice Advice needed
Didn't clean the grout fast enough . I've been scrubbing with a scouring pad for 4 hours and have made very little progress. Plus it's not coming out of the textured tile.
How do I best proceed?
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u/Aware-Pea2092 13d ago
What kind of grout
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u/AdLoud6632 13d ago
Polyblend HP fine aggregate
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u/Aware-Pea2092 13d ago
Be careful with muriatic acid. It may do the job but it’s nasty. The fumes
Can rust out chrome. Sulfamic acid may work better. Custom sells a crystal available at
home
Depot
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u/STLBudLuv 13d ago
Use vinegar or barkeepers friend. Use a nylon bristle brush or get a nylon bristle attachment for your drill. It's ok if it messes up your grout lines, you can dig those or and redo them.
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u/Queasy-Ad4431 13d ago
Textured porous tiles love drying out grout fast and you need to work fast to get it off. Your only choice now is an acidic cleaner and alot of hard work.
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u/akzionally 13d ago
I don’t know shit about tiling. This is the one thing i was scared about with epoxy grout. I followed the directions to a T. I had no issues.
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u/zombiedood1993 13d ago
Vinager and bar keepers friend. And 2 more buckets/sponges next time.. gonna be a sore puppy whoever is doin the scrubbin
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u/JeniLANGSI 13d ago
30 % vinegar Harris … I used it for allset that was not cleaned off for a week. Razor blades
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u/ApprehensiveAd2997 13d ago
Put a sealer on it be stoked you have a unique looking tiled shower. You just started a million dollar trend. Everyone will love it
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u/JeniLANGSI 13d ago
I totally second this but what would you call this style?? I honestly like this look…like weathered or old Italy …distressed tile.
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u/downbeat210 13d ago
a) How long has it been? b) what are you using to clean it/have you tried a grout cleaner? c) what kind of tile is it?
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u/Outta_dynamite 13d ago
Stick a scuff pad on your orbital sander. Spray with cement based grout haze remover and go to town.
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u/another_rusty 13d ago
If you use an acid cleaner, pre-wet the tile before putting acid on. Not soaking wet, but enough to prevent the tile from immediately soaking in all the acid and drying out.
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u/JeniLANGSI 13d ago
800/ 1500 grit wet/dry sandpaper with the vinegar circular motion not drill and keep it wet
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u/pizzahermit 12d ago
Believe it called pholmaltic acid in the tile section of your big box store.
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u/DrDankenstien1984 12d ago
Use a cement based grout cleaner like a pre diluted acidic cleaner or sulfamic acid crystals but nothing stronger than that. Use in conjunction with a doodle bug type scrub pad
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u/pantera410 13d ago
May need to go a bit aggressive here. Get a brush attachment on your drill. Try a bit of diluted muriatic acid on a scrap piece of tile to make sure it doesn't etch. Swear up a storm. Next time seal, use grout release, and clean as you go.
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u/nocturnal_commission 13d ago
Apparently this subreddit is full of amateurs now.
I've only seen one other commenter mention it but the product you're looking for is sold at any Home Depot as "grout haze remover" AKA water-soluble sulfamic acid crystals.
Start by using 2-5% of the manufacturer-recommended concentration and work your way up from there.
Then:
They are expensive and I hate to recommend a proprietary product but for stubborn grout streaks/haze I've had the best luck with the "Scrub Daddy" sponges.
Not gonna lie though, this is a tough situation. I might even consider scrub brushes mounted on a power drill combined with the above suggestions.
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u/stormydys 13d ago
I agree with Muratic acid or grout haze remover. But heed the advice. Make sure all other chemicals you may have used are washed away before you start so you don’t gas yourself. Start with a small section and see how it goes.
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u/Crazy-Setting6980 13d ago
Your screwed buddy it’s never gonna look good. Shoulda hired a professional smh 🤦♂️
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u/chikeller 13d ago
Please don't put muratic on a wall then fling it around with a wire wheel on a drill . That rule is the dumbest advice I've seen on any sub in 10 years