How to wash tiles from grout after repair?

When carrying out facing works, the joints and seams between the ceramic tiles are treated with grout. This procedure is necessary to provide better adhesion to the surface and give it a more attractive appearance. But often after repairs on the surface of the tile, you can notice unpleasant traces of dried building materials. In this article, we will tell you how, and most importantly - how to wash the tiles from grouting after repair.

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Where to begin?

In order to remove traces of building materials from ceramic tiles and tiles, you may need the following tools:

• water;
• solvents;
• washing and cleaning compounds;
• soda;
• ammonia;
• vinegar;
• lemon or citric acid;
• abrasive sponge.

Important! In pursuit of the goal of safely washing tiles from grouting after repairs, do not experiment with any improvised means in your home. This rule especially applies to construction and household chemicals. The result can be very disastrous - there will be a need for a new repair due to the completely spoiled new decorative coating.

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How to wash tiles after repair from grouting?

In order not to have problems cleaning the grout from the surface of the ceramic tile, it should be remembered that such dirt is most easily and quickly removed during the repair process, until the mortar has time to harden.

After lining a small area, you should check how well the mortar has set and proceed to remove dirty drops and traces on the ceramic surface. To check the grout condition:

• Moisten the seam slightly with a damp cloth.
• Observe the behavior of the material.

Important! Evaluate the result by the following criteria:

• If the grout began to swell and go beyond the boundaries of the seam, then this behavior of the building material indicates insufficient hardening and a small degree of adhesion.
• If after soaking the changes you don’t notice, then everything is fine and you can begin to clean the surface of the remnants of building material.

Grouting Technology

You can wash the tiles from grout after repair in two stages:

1. Dry clean. This procedure is carried out after laying a small area of ​​tile by wiping the surfaces with a special grater. The tool is held at a right angle to the coating.

Important! Cleaning movements are recommended diagonally to the surface of the seams. It is this direction that will help you avoid damage to the grout that has not hardened to the end.

2. Surface wash. Wet cleaning of the tile surface should be started after the grout partially hardens. For this procedure, it is recommended to use a piece of foam, which is liberally moistened with water.

Important! Remove residual dirt from a glossy surface with a hard cloth, felt or burlap. This procedure will avoid the appearance of stains on the smooth surface of the tile.

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How to prevent pollution?

If you yourself make repairs in the bathroom or kitchen, it is very difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to avoid grouting on the surface of tiles and linoleum.Even if professionals work, specific spots often remain on surfaces.

It is possible to protect surfaces from pollution as much as possible, as well as protect your hands from unpleasant consequences:

• In order not to look for the most suitable means for cleaning the tiles from grouting and not to think about how to clean the floor, before repairing, try to completely cover the floor with cellophane.

Important! Be sure to glue the joints of the installed protective coating with a wide stationery tape or masking tape, and securely fix the edges with furniture staples or a press.  

• To avoid health problems, experts recommend the use of personal protective equipment during repairs - gloves, mask, bathrobe.
• To prevent material from seeping onto the surface of the tile when processing joints, cover its edges with masking tape, which is easily removed and leaves no residue on the tile. Such technology will also help you to create more even and smooth seams, that is, you will speed up the whole stage much faster and complete repairs faster.

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How to remove dried and old grout from a tile?

If for some reason you could not wash the tile from the grout immediately after the repair work and the mortar managed to harden on its surface, then the following remedies will help you cope with the pollution:

Method No. 1

To remove a solution that has hardened in the pores of a ceramic tile or hit a tile with a glazed surface, a very practical cleaning method is to use a specially developed acid remover to remove cement residues.

The composition of this tool includes substances that enter into a chemical reaction and dissolve traces of such mortars as grout, glue and cement, allowing them to be washed off ceramic tiles as easily and quickly as possible.

Important! For effective cleaning, apply the product on the surface and after 5 minutes rinse with plenty of water.

Method No. 2

Plaque can be removed from the surface using a gel detergent for dishes. To do this, follow these instructions:

• Dilute the gel with water.
• Rinse the tiles with a regular kitchen sponge.
• After 10 minutes, brush the tile with a soft pile.
• Remove all traces with a cloth dampened with warm water.

Method 3

Baking soda will help you get rid of strong dirt on the tiles. Use this tool to clean the tiles from grouting after repair, as follows:

• Moisten the surface of the tile with water, for which you can use a conventional spray gun.
• Apply a small amount of baking soda to the damp tile and gently wipe the tile with a brush.

Important! Do not use a brush with metal bristles, as it may scratch the tile.

• Carefully, but at the same time, carefully process the seams on which mold or fungus may appear.
• Rinse the tiles with clean and warm water.

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Useful Tips

For the highest quality and safe cleaning of tiles from grouting, follow these rules:

• All work should be done with rubber gloves that protect the skin of your hands from the effects of the chemicals used and prevent it from drying out or causing allergic reactions.
• Cleaning should always start from below, but wiping the tiles is recommended from above.
• In order not to damage the grout, during cleaning work it is recommended to protect it with epoxy paint or masking tape.
• When using household chemicals, be sure to read the instructions and dilute the substance in the required proportion.
• To bleach darkened seams, use a medical solution of hydrogen peroxide, which should be applied to the surface and left without rinsing.

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In this article, we shared with you the most effective recommendations on how and how to wipe the grout from the tile, so we sincerely hope that you will be able to quickly and accurately remove all traces of building materials from the facing surface without harm to the tiles and the health of the residents.