How to Clean Tile After Installing
Having new tile installed is an exciting time. The color, texture and drama of the new tile can transform the appearance of a room from mundane to elegant. New tile is best installed by a professional or homeowner who takes careful steps to ensure that installation is done properly and the tile is cleaned immediately after installation. The first time tile is cleaned is sometimes the only time that it is possible to remove bits of grout and haze so that the tile will reflect its true beauty. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Broom
- Vacuum cleaner (nonbeater bar type)
- Bucket
- Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean-Up
- Soft nylon bristle brush
- Silicone scraper (optional)
- Sponge
- Undiluted 5 percent white vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Distilled water
- Old towels
- Grout sealer
- Disposable brush
- Caulk (optional)
Instructions
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1
Clean away dirt and debris using a broom or vacuum cleaner (nonbeater bar type).
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2
Scrub the tiles with a nylon bristle brush using Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean-up. The container offers ratio suggestions, but basically you can use the liquid straight out of the bottle to remove leftover grout chunks and diluted to clean off any remaining grout haze. It is important that this in-depth and tile-by-tile cleaning takes place as soon as the grout has cured (within one to two days) and before 10 days have passed. As the grout hardens, it becomes more difficult to remove.
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3
Change the bucket water as it becomes dirty to keep from transferring dirty materials back onto the tiles. Check each tile in a systematic way. If you are doing a shower stall and bathroom floor, do the walls first starting at the top and move your way down to the floor so that you clean your way to the door. In this way, every grout line and tile are checked, cleaned, and all residual haze removed.
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4
Scrape stubborn grout chunks off by making the tile slippery with the Aqua Mix and then use a silicone scraper. As soon as the grout moves, remove it from the tile and rinse to see if the grout is completely gone. (Silicone scrapers can be found in stores where fine pots and pans are sold.)
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5
Empty and clean the bucket and fill it with distilled water. Return to where you started and spritz the tile using undiluted 5 percent white vinegar. This works well as a tile cleanser, and it will not damage the tile. Rinse the clean tiles using distilled water (because it won't leave mineral spotting). Dry the clean tiles with a towel immediately to prevent any type of spotting.
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6
Seal grout with a sealer designed for your specific tile and grout. Most glazed tiles (shiny or glossy) do not require a sealer, but grouts can be porous. Use a disposable brush to paint the grout, and use a rag to remove any sealer that gets onto the tiles.
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7
Apply caulk to any outside gaps or odd-looking transitions between the tile and wall surfaces.
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Tips & Warnings
Always use pH-neutral cleansers designed for your tile or stone products. Never use ammonia cleansers, abrasives or steel wool as these can stain and damage the surface of tiles.
