Remove haze from grout

[Steve Wolfe]

Last week, I tiled a kitchen floor, and everything went wonderfully. Soon after grouting, I removed the grout from the tile, and the tile looks fabulous. But, the grout itself has a white haze/film on top of it. I've been spraying it down a few times each day (as per the grout's instructions), and it seems to be getting worse - so I imagine that it might be "water-spots".

Any tips on removing this before I seal the grout? I've been thinking of some dilute viengar in purified water, but wanted to see what others recommend.

steve

[limeylew]

OK, I'm no 'whiz' at tiling but I am in the process of doing my own house.

What I remember from 'tiling class' (FREE at Home Depot stores) was that I should use distilled water, as local water has something in it that reacts poorly with the tiling process.

So far I have been well pleased with my results but DAMN I'M SLOW, Lewis.

*****

[LBaker]

What you have is efflorescence. It is the soluble salts coming to the surface of the grout. You need to let the grout cure and then clean with a vinagar and water solution. If that doesn't work you can getsufamic acid at one of the box stores.

[Steve Wolfe]

Thanks a million. It had cured for four days as of yesterday, I took some straight vinegar and a plastic scrub brush to one tile, and while it didn't completely get rid of it, it made it noticeably better. Now to scrub all of the grout in the kitchen. : )

steve