The joints after laying the tiles are usually covered with a special compound called grout. This is necessary to protect against damage and contamination, as well as for decorative purposes. However, when filling the space between the tiles, the grout may leave streaks on the surface. After drying, they will need to be wiped off. How to wash grout from a tile? There are several different ways that require the use of professional tools. Let's consider them in more detail.
Process description
Cleaning tiles from grouting is carried out in several stages. Excess material is removed first. Somewhere after a day it will be possible to perform wet cleaning. Overhaul of the coating can be carried out only after complete drying.
How to wash tiles from grout after repair? Removing the frozen mixture will be quite problematic. For this purpose, you will need to use special professional tools that are suitable for a particular type of grout. Removing fresh mass is much easier. It is enough to use a washcloth, water, acid solutions and detergents.
Cleaning methods depending on the type of tile
So what do you need to know about this? Of great importance when choosing a cleaning method is the appearance of the tile. Each individual material has its own approach. If the tile is decorative, then when cleaning it from grouting, special care should be taken. Aggressive chemicals can damage the drawing.
With extreme caution, you should wash the tiles made of natural materials - stone, granite, ceramics, mosaics.
What do you need to prepare?
This aspect should be given special attention. How to wash tiles after grouting? Before work, tune in to a monotonous and time-consuming business. Worst of all are rubbed epoxy and cement grout. You can, of course, invite a professional, but if you understand the main points, then you can really and independently perform this procedure.
So, how to wash the tiles after grouting? You will definitely need the following items:
- protective glasses;
- long sleeves;
- gloves
- mask.
The components of the chemicals used in cleaning can get on the skin and mucous membranes, so they must be protected from irritation. Also, at the time of the procedure, it is better to exclude people from staying indoors. The room should be well ventilated.
Choose a tool
Let's dwell on this in more detail. How to wash grout from tiles in the bathroom? The choice of agent will depend on the type of substance used. Each type of grout uses its own cleaning mixes. For example, it is most difficult to wipe off the epoxy grout, as it is highly resistant to moisture and chemical agents. To remove such a composition from the walls, you will have to use professional tools.
Consider the features of various grouts:
- Cement: used with many types of tiles. Working with her is very convenient. Such a composition is sold in the form of a dry mixture. Various components may be added to the cement grout to improve the performance of the coating. Fugue based on sand and Portland cement is used for grouting joints whose width does not exceed 5 mm. In addition, such compositions are not suitable for ceramic tiles. Sand can damage the surface of the coating.
- Epoxy: consists of two components. According to its technical characteristics, such a grout is significantly superior to cement compositions. It has a high resistance to moisture. Such grouts are usually used during repair work at production facilities. At home, it is used extremely rarely. Working with such a composition requires certain skills. Therefore, the answer to the question "how to wash the grout from the tile" in this case will also be quite difficult.
- Silicone: it’s easiest to wash such a composition. This can be done using plain water and a brush. Silicone grout is not too strong, so it can easily be damaged. It is best to use this composition together with other grouts. The main advantage of this option is a wide selection of colors.
How to wash off the grout?
So what do you need to know about this? Let's look at how to wash the grout from the tiles in the bathroom. Typically, the composition is scrubbed in two stages. Dry cleaning is performed first. This procedure is carried out using a dry grater. Then grout should be washed. To do this, carefully clean the entire surface using a damp sponge.
How to remove a fresh mixture?
What you need to know about this? After grouting, in any case, you will have to clean the seams. It does not depend on the process you have chosen. The composition solidifies somewhere within 30 minutes. During this time, the grout will dry only on the surface, so making efforts to try to clean it will be still dangerous. However, it is better to remove excess substances in the first time after application, since then it will be much more difficult. For half an hour after work to remove fresh grout, it is enough to use a simple sponge, detergent and warm water. Rinse the rag as often as possible, as it is contaminated with the composition. You can consider the first stage of cleaning completed when the sponge stops getting dirty. It is best to use special rags for washing machines at this stage. They perfectly absorb moisture and do not leave streaks.
Remove cement grout
Let us consider this aspect in more detail. How to wash dried grout from a tile if a cement composition was used? On the first day after applying the grout, removing the excess will not cause any particular difficulties. You need to use the same sponges and detergents. But after some time, wiping off the composition will be much harder. Then without special solutions can not do.
How to wash grout from the tile in this case? The best option is the use of acid-containing agents. Clutoclean and Litoclean special cleaners are well suited for these purposes. They are applied with a sponge and kept on the surface for 15 minutes. No special efforts should be made, otherwise you risk damaging the tiles. It is better to clean the surface in a circular motion. First, the composition is recommended to be applied to an inconspicuous area, since an aggressive environment can corrode the pattern on the tile. You can remove the product with a simple damp sponge.
For the first wiping, you can use ordinary baking soda. It is enough to dissolve 2 tablespoons of the substance in warm water. Alkali will help neutralize acid. After that, the tile will need to be washed with a rag. Using this method will help to avoid the appearance of divorces.
Instead of expensive professional tools, you can use simple folk methods - citric acid, soda, vinegar, laundry soap.
How to remove epoxy contamination?
What you need to know about this? What are the special problems usually caused by epoxy grouting on tiles? Can I wash it? Will it withstand such an impact? The main advantage of such grouts is their strength. They are able to last more than 30 years without changing their appearance. But if you do not remove the excess grout in time, the surface may lose its aesthetic characteristics.
Epoxy mixtures are not washed off with detergents, water and abrasive substances. How to wash the grout between the tiles in this case? You will have to use special cleaning compounds. Examples include Litonetgel and Litokol. The first is a special composition designed to wipe the epoxy grout. It can also be used to clean the surface of wax, oil, grease, foam, ink. This solution is suitable for any type of tile. It should be diluted to obtain the desired concentration. It can be used for processing natural stone, clinker, porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles.
Depreciation factors
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Many beginning masters are interested in how to wash tiles from grout after repair. Of great importance in this matter is the choice of method. They clean the grout mechanically or chemically. You can combine these methods to achieve the best effect. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to determine what is the main factor in damage and quick wear of the grout. It can be:
- Low quality of the composition: when choosing a fugue, be sure to pay attention to such parameters as the expiration date and the period of operation.
- Inadequate care: this is especially true for flooring. In the joints between the tiles, dirt may accumulate. If you do not do regular cleaning, the material may fade and change its color.
- Using too light grout: in some cases, the use of such mixtures is inappropriate, since the seams are quickly contaminated.
- High humidity in the room: it is also a factor accelerating the wear of the coating. This is especially true for cement grouts with a low degree of moisture resistance.
- Mistakes made when mixing the mixture: insufficient dry mass or excess liquid in the grout may affect further performance.
- Application errors: if unsuitable tools are selected, exposure is slow or the composition is incorrect, the coating can wear out quickly.
Chemical cleaning
What is it and what is its feature? How to wash grout from a tile? It is best to use professional cleaning compounds. Working with them is pretty simple. Consider the process using the example of Sopro ESE 548. This composition should be applied to the treated surface and left for 20 minutes. To remove the mixture after this time, you can use a scraper or binder. After that, the entire surface is simply wiped with a damp sponge. If the first time you can’t remove the entire composition, the process should be repeated.
Mechanical cleaning
So what is its feature? To remove the grout mechanically, patience is required. This option should only be used if you are afraid of damaging the decorative or smooth surface of the tile. An electric drill is best for carrying out this procedure. First, the cracks are treated with a special solvent, and then the seam itself is removed at minimum speed with a thin drill. To expand the furrows, you can use sandpaper. Then the surface is treated with an antiseptic. If there is a drill, cleaning should pass without any problems. It is best to work with a tool in a mask to avoid particles and splinters getting into your eyes. Alternatively, you can use the grinder.
Recommendations
Before using chemical compositions and mechanical cleaning methods, it is better to try them on an inconspicuous area of the tile. When working, do not forget about personal protective equipment. Be sure to use glasses, a mask and gloves. To protect the remaining interior items in the room, you can use plastic wrap. The room should be well ventilated throughout the procedure.
Many today are interested in how to wash the white grout between the tiles. Over time, the seams can darken and lose their original appearance. To avoid this, they should be wiped with hydrogen peroxide. The product is evenly distributed over the surface and left for some time. When carrying out cleaning procedures, masking tape can be used. It will protect the coating. Experienced craftsmen recommend that work always start from the bottom.
Issues are also caused by cleaning custom tiles. For example, how to wash a rough tile from a grout? The stained area can be treated with an acid-based cleaning agent. To do this, the liquid is distributed on the surface, and then removed with a brush after 10-15 minutes. A limescale remover also helps. It can even be rubbed into relief patterns. Porcelain stoneware is easy to wipe from grouting with white spirit, only the substance should not be used in pure but in dissolved form. If you worry about surface integrity, try using glycerin. Using this substance, gentle cleaning can be carried out. Ammonia solution also helps. It is also possible to wash the cement grout from the tile with citric acid. For this, a brush or sponge is dipped directly into the crystals and treated with the textured surface of the tile.
Conclusion
Now you know how to wash grout from a relief tile, how to get rid of stains and how to lighten white seams. Using the recommendations presented in this review, you can easily maintain the tiles in your home in good condition.