Sometimes a floor is hard to keep clean for reasons you can’t quite realize. One of the most common complaints for homeowners with stone and tile floors is a hazy dust sitting across the floor around the grout lines that keeps the floor from looking shiny and new and showroom ready. If you just had some work done on your tile floors or walls, you may be familiar with this appearance.
It’s called grout haze and can be frustrating but there is something you can do about it.
Grout haze keeps the floor from looking like the perfect pictures of tile and stone in catalogues and showroom floor. But the good news is grout haze is very common and isn’t too hard to handle, even if it’s a headache to see on your otherwise perfect floor.
Below is some information on grout haze and how you can tackle it in your home.
What is grout haze?
Grout haze is a layer of dust and residue around a line of grout. Simply put, it’s the residue and debris left over from the grouting process. It appears as white or light-colored dust and can be quite resistant to scrubbing and wiping as the haze sticks closely to the textures of the tile and the stone. That being said, removing grout haze is not too difficult if you do it right.
What causes grout haze?
Grout haze is a collection of minerals and cement that mixes with the water to create the grouting material. When the grout dries and the water evaporates, it leaves behind the solids. This turns into haze around the grout because of the application process that puts the grout to the tile. The result is this hazy material that clings to the tile and stone rather stubbornly and dims the shine of the material.
How do I get rid of grout haze?
There are specific removers you can purchase for grout haze that’s pretty widely available at stores. Be sure to read the label though because some are more acidic than others and can therefore be more damaging to the tile itself. Start by vacuuming and sweeping the area of grout haze and then taking a damp mop or towel across the grout. Mix water with the grout haze remover at the ration provided on the bottle of choice. Scrub the tiles with the solution and then go back over the area with a damp sponge. Repeat the process across the area of grout haze, working in small batches of space at a time.
Related Questions
Are there ways to minimize grout haze?
Always make sure the grout is fully dried before taking preemptive measures against grout haze. Utilize grout haze remover since plain water will trick you into thinking it has been removed only for grout haze to reappear when it dries.
What ingredients should I look for in grout haze remover?
Grout haze remover is going to be acidic in order to get at the stubborn debris. The best ingredient you can find on that list is muriatic acid (aka hydrochloric acid) which is strong and tough on grout haze without harming the tile when used correctly.
If you have concerns about grout haze or questions about your tile floors, a flooring professional at Restore-A-Floor in Brighton can help. We offer stone floor restoration, floor refinishing, grout and tile cleaning, color sealing, stain proofing, minor floor repairs and more for homes and businesses throughout Michigan. More than 20 years of experience and satisfied customers have made us a #1 choice for bringing stone and tiles floors back to life. Call for a Free Estimate today!