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How to Use Sugar to Clean Excess Grout Off Ceramic Tile

Heather Warren

Laying ceramic tile is not a job for the faint of heart, and few things are worse than breathing a sigh of relief at a job well done only to realize you have spilled grout. The most common type of grout is actually made of Portland cement, so if you have spilled grout, it is a race against time to clean it up. Portland cement takes a few days to reach its full bonding power, so you will have only a small window of time to work with. Fortunately, you can make the job much sweeter with a simple solution from your own kitchen pantry.

Use sugar to clean grout off ceramic tile.
    Wooden tools will help with the job.
  1. Remove the largest clumps of grout with the wooden tools using an underhand chipping method. Grasp the handle of the tool with your wrist facing upwards, and place the flat end of the tool against the grout. Chip at the grout to loosen the bigger pieces.

  2. You'll need a gallon of water.
  3. Fill the gallon jug with water.

  4. Pour the cup of sugar into the jug, cover and shake until the sugar dissolves.

  5. Spilled grout can cause big problems.
  6. Pour the sugar solution onto the remaining grout, and cover with a trash bag.

  7. Scrub the grout with nylon scouring pads.
  8. Wait two hours, remove the trash bags and scrub with the nylon scouring pads until clean.

  9. A mop comes in handy to clean up the sugar solution.
  10. Proceed to mop the floor as you normally would to clean up any remaining sugar solution.