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cleaning porcelain tile and grout

15 years ago

I have large, light colored porcelain tiles throughout the house.The tiles have crevices, although not deep, which makes it mimic stone.The grout is light in color. Unfortunately, I did not realize what horrors came with cleaning them.I have tried numerous ways but the crevices within the tiles are a bear to clean and maintain.I spoke to several companies and was told the grout can be cleaned,sealed and a different color may be applied but,the tiles cannot be sealed to prevent dirt from being trapped in the crevices.Can anyone help me with this dilemma?

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Comments (3)

jerry_t
15 years ago
You have just explained very well why I always recommend that those crevices be filled with a grout that compliment the tile color. Pits/crevices are going to get filled.... one way or the other.
susanlynn2012
15 years ago
anm65, what tile do you have? I found from trying out samples that using a scouring plastic pad (like a Brillo pad but made with plastic) and water takes out dried mud and permanent marker I put in the crevices of the Rialto Beige tile sample and they got very clean. The white ones seem to be harder to clean with deeper finer pits.
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Prior to doing anything extreme, I'd recommend using a commercial grout haze remover on the tile. Depending on how long the residue has been there, if less than 10 days use a standard grout haze remover, even one designed for clean up during the grouting process itself. If over 10 days you sometimes need to step up to something stronger, along the lines of a phosphoric acid cleaner. Caveat, the stronger the product, the more damage you can do. I recommend calling Aqua Mix tech support, 800-282-8786 and relating to them the products used. After using the removers if you still have variations you could rent a buffer to try to even out the overall sheen of the floor, but it really depends on what is causing the areas of dullness. Residual haze or tile abrasion? If it was sealed, the porcelain shouldn't have been sealed. No reason, it's not porous. Sealer over porcelain can cause problems instead of preventing them. A question or comment though...the tiler should be responsible for cleaning up the original haze. Not you.
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anm65
Original Author
15 years ago
jerry t-- are saying that I could have the crevices filled with grout and then seal it, by a company, and my issue will be fixed?

lynn2006-- myself and my sons have brushed and scoured. Yes it works but, when you have a dining room, living room, kitchen, family room, etc. to do trust me you want to find an easy and hopefully semi-permanent solution to the problem. Also, it does not stay with that just cleaned look after all the sports paraphernalia, friends and other items associated with teenagers roll into the house.

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