Easily Remove Grout Haze From Tile Floors With A Clever Cleaning Hack

Learning how to properly grout your own tile can save you a lot of money in home renovations, whether you are laying tiles for the first time or regrouting. The problem comes after the grouting is finished, with the grout haze left on the tiles. You can easily remove grout haze from tile floors with a clever cleaning hack using baby wipes!

A successful DIY grouting project requires figuring out how to successfully clean grout haze. Grout haze is the cloudy film that is left behind on the surface of your tiles after the grouting process. This thin, grayish film is grout that has not been fully wiped off after the grouting is complete. When that grout dries, it creates a haze on the surface of the tiles that will need to be removed.

While some people find success using commercial cleaners or vinegar, the acidity can cause damage to the grout. This is especially true for grout that is not sealed, such as when removing haze from newly installed grout. The vinegar penetrates the grout, and the acid can erode and weaken it. Baby wipes are effective for cleaning the haze without damaging the tiles or grout because they contain mild detergents, rather than harsh, acidic chemicals. The detergents work to clean the haze off the tiles without harming your grout or brand-new tile floor.

When removing grout haze, it is important to avoid the worst tile and grout cleaners and methods that may cause damage to the tiles, and find better methods like baby wipes. There are a few simple steps to take prior to using the baby wipes. When the tiles are dry, start by giving the grout haze a light scrub with a dry sponge. This will help to loosen it up so it can be more easily removed. Use a sponge with a rough side. Don't use pot scrubbers or sandpaper, as these are too rough and may cause damage to the surface of your tiles.

After you have finished scrubbing the tiles with the sponge, vacuum up all the dust. Then, you can use the baby wipes to remove the remaining haze from the tiles. You can use any brand of baby wipes, even a generic one, which is good because you will go through a lot of them. Expect to use about one baby wipe for every three square feet of tiles. Rub in a circular motion to clean the haze.

This method is most effective for smooth tiles. You can use baby wipes on textured tiles, but it may take more than one pass to get the film completely off the rougher surface. Keep in mind that the haze can be worse if you wait too long to wipe it off. Ideally, you should be wiping the tiles down with a wet sponge during the grouting process. The final wipe down should be done within 24 hours after grouting your tiles.