How to Remove the Grout Haze from Your Newly Installed Tile
Just when you think that you are all done with your tiling project. You step away and allow everything to dry, only to discover your brand new tile are covered with a hazy coating. It is grout haze.
The very first time that I installed a rough, unsealed tile floor I had no idea that it would behave differently than the smooth surface tile with which I had been accustom to dealing. So I used my thin-set and stuck the the tile down. Then I mixed up my grout and went over the surface with my rubber grout float. After I was finished, I went back with my bucket and sponge to clean up.
I knew I was in trouble after the first pass. When the water dried, the tile still looked like it was covered in grout. I went back and did it again. And again. I switched to small clean rags that I only used once in place of redipping the sponge into the clean water. After a few times of doing this I realized that the haze was not going to come off easily.
The next step that I tried was using a vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is slightly acidic and can in some situations cut through the haze. I used a stiff brush and went in a circular motion. This helped slightly. Very slightly. It still did not remove the grout haze to my satisfaction.
So I pulled out the big gun and bought an acid that is specifically designed for removing this type grout haze. Wearing gloves and eye protection I set to work scrubbing with my wire brush and wiping the each individual tile clean with a rag.
This was a long, laborious and tedious task. One which could have been prevented with proper prep work. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the tile I was working with should have been sealed prior to installation. When I used this same tile again in my kitchen, no I am not a masochist the mudroom I had previously tiled adjoins the kitchen and the plan always was for them to have matching tile, I made sure that I thoroughly sealed the tile prior to doing any of the installation work. It made a world of difference and I was able to clean up the tile after grouting easily. Or at least as easily as one can clean up grout off of tile.
