Grouting tiles is such a satisfying task. You can see the end result almost immediately and can see how much of a transformation you’ve made in your home. However, there’s one thing about grouting tiles that don’t satisfy us – the cleanup process! It can be a messy, arduous task (especially if you have awkward angles or hard-to-reach areas). But don’t worry – we have some tips and tricks for cleaning up after grouting to make it easier for you! Grouting tiles will give your tiled surfaces an incredible boost in visual appeal but sometimes it can leave quite the mess behind. There are different ways in which you could proceed with cleaning up after grouting — we have compiled our top tips below.
How To Clean Tiles After Grouting
1. Sweep up the mess
The first step in cleaning up after grouting is to sweep up any leftover grout that’s on the floor. This will help you get rid of any dust or dirt which could have been carried into the tile space while you were grouting. It’s important that you do this before you start washing as it will ensure that there’s no excess grout in your cleaning water, which could cause it to be murky and discolored when you want it to be clear and clean for rinsing your tiles.
2. Use a wet vacuum cleaner
Having a wet vacuum cleaner can make all the difference when it comes to cleaning up after grouting! Using a dry vacuum isn’t going to cut it because of all the excess water and cement-based materials (which make up your tile adhesive) that are left behind after grouting. A wet vacuum cleaner will suck everything out of your floor without leaving any trace behind, so you can ensure that there’s no residue left over for you to scrub off later on!
3. Rinse with water
Once you’ve swept away all of the excess grout from your tiled surfaces, it’s time to rinse them with clean water! It might sound like an obvious step, but make sure that you give every inch of your tiles a good rinse — even those awkward corners and edges so they look as clean as possible when they dry out.
4. Use a degreaser
After you’ve rinsed your tiles with water, it’s time to break out the degreaser! Degreasers are designed to remove grease and grime from surfaces and will help you remove any excess cement-based materials from your tiled floor. Make sure that you use a degreaser that is suitable for cleaning up after grouting, as some products can leave behind deposits that could cause your tiles to look dull or discolored after drying. Once you have applied the degreaser, allow it to sit for at least an hour before scrubbing off any remaining residue with a damp cloth or sponge.
5. Spot clean any stains
It’s worth giving your tiles a quick spot clean once they’ve dried out especially if you notice any stains in those awkward corners or hard-to-reach areas that are hard to wipe off with a wet vacuum cleaner! You can use a damp cloth or sponge (or even try using some tile cleaner) to wipe away any dirt or grime that is stuck in these areas and make sure that they look as good as new before leaving them alone until the grout fully dries out.
Wear Disposable Gloves
Wear disposable gloves
This might seem like an obvious tip but it’s important! When cleaning up after grouting, you don’t want to risk getting the grout residue on your hands. It can be very difficult to remove and can cause skin irritation. So make sure you protect your hands by wearing disposable gloves. This will also help to keep your hands clean from any dirt that might be on the tiles or the grout, which will save you a lot of time later on when cleaning up after grouting.
Use a soft cloth
You should use a soft cloth for cleaning up after grouting because this will help to prevent any scratches on the surface of your tiled surfaces. If you have delicate or expensive tiles, it’s important that they are not damaged while you are removing the excess grout from them. You can use an old toothbrush or a small scrubbing brush if there are any tough areas that need extra attention while cleaning up after grouting. Make sure that whatever you use is not abrasive or could damage your tiled surfaces!
Use warm water and soap
When cleaning up after grouting, it’s best, to begin with, warm water and soap — this will help loosen any excess residue and make it easier for you to wash away any remaining dirt around the edges of your tiled surfaces. You can also spray some vinegar onto stubborn areas if necessary (just remember that this may cause discoloration if it remains on the surface of your tiles for too long).
Don’t forget to wear gloves!
Once you have cleaned up after grouting, it’s important that you remember to remove your gloves immediately. They should be disposed of in a waste bin, not down the sink or toilet. This is because grout residue can be very difficult to remove from drains and plumbing and will cause problems if allowed to remain in these areas. It’s also best to use warm water when cleaning up after grouting because this will help prevent any further residue from forming on your tiled surfaces.
Use A Small Scraper And Masking Tape
- The first thing you should do is wipe your wet grout with a damp sponge. If the surface is particularly dirty, you could also use a small hand scraper to remove excess grout. You could use masking tape and a paint roller to remove excess grout on your tiled surfaces.
- After cleaning up the excess grout, you should let the surface dry completely before removing any remaining residue.
- Finally, once the surfaces are completely dry, you can begin cleaning them with soap and warm water and then wiping them down with a clean cloth to remove any remaining soap residue.
- You can also use other household cleaners if necessary but be careful not to leave any marks on your tiles!
- Once everything is dry, take off any tape and throw it away in your rubbish bin! Be sure to dispose of it properly as it contains latex which isn’t good for landfills or compost bins!
Use A Soft-Bristled Scrubbing Brush
Scrubbing Brush
If you have a lot of grout to clean up, it may be easier and more effective to use a soft bristle scrubbing brush rather than a sponge. After you’ve rinsed the tile off with water, simply scrub away all the bits of grout with your scrubbing brush. This will save you time and effort as it can cover larger surfaces quickly.
Sponge
If there is just a small area of grout that you need to clean up, wiping it off with a sponge should do the trick. Simply wipe away any loose pieces of grout with your sponge and then rinse the area with water afterward to ensure that everything is gone.
Grout Sealing
One of the most effective ways to prevent grout from sticking to your tiles is to seal them. This is entirely optional but if you’re looking for a way to ensure that you won’t have to scrub your tiles again too soon, grouting sealing may be a good option for you.
Tile Cleaner
If there are any stubborn bits of grout stuck on your tiles, a tile cleaner will help dissolve them away. You can purchase this product at any hardware store and follow the instructions on the back of the bottle (or the instructions given by your local tile-cleaning expert) before proceeding with cleaning up after grouting.
Tile Sealer
Tile setters are also very helpful in preventing certain substances from sticking to your tiles especially if they’re made from porous materials such as marble or granite. For example, if you spilled some oil or tar onto your stone tile, it would be much easier to clean off with a tile sealer than without one! If you are planning on using any kind of tile sealant, make sure that it is compatible with all of the materials used in creating your tiled surfaces before proceeding with cleaning up after grouting otherwise, you could end up damaging them!
Conclusion
Cleaning up after grouting tiles can be a messy and arduous task. However, it doesn’t have to be! With the tips and tricks we have outlined in this article, you will be able to clean up after your grouting project in no time. Just remember that these are just general tips and tricks. If you’re working on a specific project, consult the instructions for the grout you are using.
