Cleaning set grout off of tile surface

browneyedbazzi

I recently had my bathroom tiled with porcelain tilea that have a riven effect (matt textured finish that looks a bit like slate). The tiler didn't properly clean the grout off the tiles and there are now hardened bits of grout stuck to the textured tile surface that I am struggling to get off.

Can anyone suggest any products/techniques that will remove the grout without damaging the tiles?

phill99

Elbow grease and a wet sponge scourer.

browneyedbazzi

Hi Phil - elbow grease and a scrub brush has so far not made much of an impact. I read on an American website that there is a type of diluted acid that can be used (muriatic acid)...I wonder if it or something similar is available here?

cyclonebri1

As above, keep soaking it, it will soften.
Don't be tempted to use a steam cleaner or a wall paper steam stripper, you are likely to blow the adhesive or skim.;)

sk240

Yep, lots of elbow grease and a wet scourer im afraid, can take quite some time.
Its a lot easier if it had been wiped off staright away! if waterproof grout was used that may be your problem, even so its the same to get it off

maninthestreet

Get a hammer and GENTLY tap the grout you want to remove - the grout should crumble away from the tile.

benson1980

I used lithofin cement residue remover and a sponge to scrub- as recommended by our local tile depot. Just scrubbing on its own was a complete waste of time for me but this product did the job no problems

paddyrg

Muriatic acid is hydrochoric acid is in stomach bile - you could try chucking up on it and see if that helps?! :-$

macman

Why don't you ask the tiler to come back and finish the job? Presumably you didn't complete the payment before the job was finished?

cyclonebri1

macman wrote: »

Why don't you ask the tiler to come back and finish the job? Presumably you didn't complete the payment before the job was finished?

Sadly it's becoming normal to have to mop up after.

It wasn't an East European outfit was it?

pambler

I'd go with the scourer (try a metal one if the tiles are not delicate) and elbow grease.

I was the diy person in our house, my ex hubby wasn't very keen. I had tiled our kitchen, gone out for the day shortly after and came home to find that he had decided to be helpful for once and grout the tiles - unfortunately he had not wiped any of it off. :eek:
Needless to say I was the one who had to clean it all off. About a months worth of scourers and elbow grease - but it will come off in the end!