As the owner of a tile company, I know all about grout. I know how hard it is to clean, how hard it is to keep clean, and how hard it can be to keep clean without causing damage.
Grout, though, is one of those things you really don’t want to wait too long to clean.
Waiting too long means your grout has time to become caked in mildew, mold, and bacteria. And that’s never a good thing.
So, What to do if you waited too long to wipe grout?
Let’s dive in!
What You Should Do If You Waited Too Long To Wipe Grout
Contents
Wipe The Surface Using A Clean Cloth
If the grout has been on the tiles long enough, you’ll need to remove the mildew, mold, and bacteria from the surface.
This will remove any extra debris from the tiles, which will make it easier to clean.
The same is true for any loose grime on the surface.
When the debris is removed, the tile will look much better, and it’ll make cleaning the grout much easier.
This is why you should clean the surface before you start wiping the grout.
You don’t want the grout haze to stick onto the tile.
Use a Grout Haze Remover
If the grout was left on for more than a week, it’ll get hazy.
This is particularly common with water-based sealants.
You’ll need to acquire an acid-based solution to remove the haze.
To ensure that the grout comes off completely, you need to scrub the surface, then rinse it.
Remember that you don’t want to harm the surface.
Please Wait a Few Minutes
You will have to wait for a while for the haze to come off.
The grout haze remover will most likely come with instructions, but keep in mind that the longer you wait, the easier it will be to remove.
After waiting a few minutes, you can use a small knife to scrape off the residue. Keep in mind that you might not need to remove any residue at all.
The vinegar will break down everything. However, if it’s absolutely necessary, do it gently.
A tiny scratch won’t matter, but bigger scratches can be a problem.
Don’t hurry the process; a few minutes will make a big difference.
Allowing the grout haze remover to sit for 30 minutes will do wonders.
Scrape the Grout Off
When you see the grout beginning to loosen on the edges of the tiles, you can start scraping it off. Be careful, though.
Don’t scrape too hard. You can break tiles if you’re not careful. Use the smallest scraper you have.
A razor blade can also be used to scrape off stubborn grout.
Some individuals will use a painting trowel to scrape the grout.
The objective is to have enough of that cloudy residue removed so that you can wipe it off with a sponge.
Work your way slowly through each tile.
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Final Words
If you waited too long to scrub your grout, don’t worry.
If you put off cleansing the grout for more than a week, or more than two weeks, it’s probable that you’ll cause lasting damage.
You might as well consider having someone come in and regrout the area. This will cost you more, but at least it’ll be done right.
Apply a quality grout haze remover, wait a prescribed amount of time, and then scrub your grout.
This quickly cleans away grime and restores your tile’s appearance.
Follow these steps carefully, and you’ll restore your grout to its former glory.
You don’t want to use harsh chemical cleaners, because they can harm your tile.
It’s also crucial to take your time, as rushing through the process can cause you to lose some of the grout.
This includes the time it takes you to thoroughly clean the tile before applying the grout.
This gives the grout time to bond with the surface. If you fail to do this, you’ll be forced to redo your work.
