How to Remove Grout Haze and Seal Grout on Tile

Got hazy tile? There are commercial cleansers but you most likely don't need them! Let me show you how. Once you get the gunk off that tile, you are going to need to seal it (or reseal) and this is an EASY way to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Water
• Standard Scouring pad
• Vinegar
• Bucket
• Putty Knife
• Wire Brush (or stiff rounded scrub brush depending on your tile)
• Grout Sealant (type to be determined)
• Possible Tile Sealant

1. You will want to just try water first. Fill a bucket with temperate water and try using the scrub pad to remove the haze first. If the grout is fresh, you need to wait 30-40 minutes.
2. If that does not work easy, this is what you need to do. Mix up a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water and try it again, you may be shocked how easy this will be.
3. If you have excess grout and/or it needs to be smoothed out more, the vinegar mix will have an extra benefit for you as it softens up the grout a bit.
4. So, lets say you have that excess grout. First you will want to smooth it out, so that is where the round wire brush (or bristle) comes in. Use it to smooth the grout out evenly by scrubbing it one section at a time so you don't lose where you are at! If the grout is kind of fresh, be gentle!
5. Now that you have evened it out, you are going to have to get rid of the excess that may have pushed up on the edges. This is where you will need the putty knife. Simply slide it along the edges and there you go! Nice clean tile and grout! You may have to do another quick wash after this, but wait 30-40 minutes.
6. Now to seal, if you did not get already sealed tile, you will need to seal that as well. Your basic glazed ceramic tile will only require the grout joints to be sealed. You should wait before doing this so the grout has a chance to thoroughly set. Look at your grout to determine the drying time, it could be 48 hrs or 72. Apply a silicone or water-based grout sealer to the joints. As long as the tile is glazed it's ok if you get some sealer on the tile surface, but you'll need to wipe it off before it dries with a soft, dry cloth.
7. If you are using slate, marble or terra cotta, you should seal the surface of the tiles to prevent them from getting stained with use.
   
   Apply an acrylic top-coat on the tile surface. You'll have to reseal the tile occasionally as it wears off. Don't use any cleaners with ammonia on the tile because it will strip the sealer off.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using one of the porous types of tile, seal it FIRST so the haze is not permanent!
• All products are different, read the suggestions for whatever sealant you are using!
• If this is fresh grout, you need to wait 30-40 minutes to do this!