How to Clean Grout Efflorescence From Tile
- 1). Use distilled white vinegar to remove mild grout haze. Apply undiluted vinegar to the tile with a rag and wipe the efflorescence from the tile. Follow this by cleaning the tiles with soapy water and drying thoroughly with a clean towel.
- 2). Mix ½ lb. of sulfamic acid crystals into a bucket with 1 gallon of hot water for tougher grout efflorescence. Sulfamic acid is a product that is readily available at most home improvement centers.
- 3). Use a clean sponge to soak the affected area with plain water. Allow the plain water to sit on the tile for about an hour.
- 4). Use dry towels to soak up the water from the tile. Pour the acid solution onto the tile so that it forms puddles in the joints.
- 5). Scrub the tile with a stiff nylon brush. Let the acid solution sit on the surface for about 5 minutes, then scrub the tile again.
- 6). Wipe up the acid solution with rags dipped in clean water. Dry the tile thoroughly with a clean towel.
- 7). Apply a cleaner specific to the type of tile you are working with or a grout haze removal product. Follow the manufacturer's specific instructions for application.
- 8). Substitute phosphoric acid for sulfamic acid if the grout efflorescence is really bad. Phosphoric acid is a stronger chemical than sulfamic acid and will be effective at removing more troublesome cases of grout efflorescence. Mix 1 part phosphoric acid into a bucket with 5 parts plain water. Apply and clean up the solution in the same manner used with the sulfamic acid. Follow up by cleaning the tiles with an appropriate tile cleaner for the specific tile you are working with.