How to Remove Dried Grout from Porcelain Tiles – Easy Method

Grout is a material that is used in the installation of porcelain tiles and keeps them in place. While grouting the tiles, small chunks of grout stuck on the tiles and nearby joints. Therefore, you must understand how to remove dried grout from porcelain tile.

For too long, the grout left on the tile becomes dried and hard, and removing it from porcelain tile becomes difficult. You might think removing grout with a knife will be easier, but it does not remove the residue completely and may damage your tiles.

 

Tools and Materials Required

• A dry cloth
• A small bucket
• Sugar
• Water
• A wooden stick

Getting Grout off Tile

Following is the best way to get grout off tile from porcelain. Let us have a look at its steps;

Cleaning the Surface

The surface of the porcelain tiles must be cleaned properly before getting grout off the tile. Remove all the debris from the tiles thoroughly with a dry cloth.

If you leave the debris on the tiles for a long time, they will make a strong buildup with the hard grout; removing them will become difficult. Prepare your floor for grout removal by cleaning it.

Mix Sugar and Water

Take a small bucket. Pour one gallon of water and one cup of sugar in it. Mix it well to make a solution. The mixture should be consistent before applying it to the tile.

Thoroughly dissolve the chunks of sugar in the solution. Take some time to mix this solution.

Pour on Top of the Dried Grout

The dried grout becomes very hard on the tile surface. Therefore, it becomes very necessary to use this solution. Pour it into a small container. Now start pouring it on all the dried grout of the tile.

Leave the mixture to react with the dried grout. This will make it soft. The longer you leave it, the easier its cleaning will be.

Use a Wooden Stick to Scrape

Now, take a wooden strip to scrape away the dried grout. Don’t use any scraper made of metal because it will ruin the porcelain tiles. A wooden stick will remove the grout and will not damage the tiles.

You can use a plastic-made scraper to clean dry grout off the tile. It will take little effort but scraping it again and again will remove the grout. If the grout is still hard and does not go, you can repeat the abovementioned steps.

Does Vinegar Get Dry Grout Off Tile?

Vinegar is the best way to get dry grout off tiles. It takes out grout by softening it. Apply vinegar directly to the dried grout of the porcelain tiles. Leave it for a few minutes and let it soften the grout.

Now, rub it with a sponge. Don’t leave the vinegar on porcelain tiles longer because it will damage them. After rubbing, rinse the tiles thoroughly with water. In this way, the smell of the vinegar will also be removed.

What to Avoid When Removing Grout?

Don’t Remove Grout by Chipping

Never use a metal putty knife, hard object, or razer because they damage the tiles. So, don’t get dried grout off of tile through chipping. There are also chances of tile breakage.

Don’t use Acidic Products

Acidic cleaning solutions are not recommended to take grout off tiles because they ruin porcelain tiles’ finish. Vinegar is also an acidic solution. You can use it to get grout off tile but don’t leave it for a long time.

Leave it for a few minutes, then rub it with a sponge and wash thoroughly with water.

Don’t Leave Grout on Floor Tiles While Tile Installation

Clean grout off floor tiles quickly at the time of floor installation because, at that time, it is soft. Getting dried grout off tiles is possible but requires a little hard work. Fresh grout can be cleaned quickly and easily.

Don’t Seal the Grout without Cleaning the Excess Grout

A few materials commonly found in every home can be used to remove hardened grout from tile. Clean the grout using any safe material, then complete the installation process of porcelain tiles.

Best Homemade Grout Cleaners

Cleaning Stubborn Stain Using Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking soda cleans tough stains and creates shine on the tile’s surface by cleaning it thoroughly. To remove dried grout from porcelain tile, sprinkle baking soda on all the affected areas. Make sure the grout is completely covered with baking soda.

Now, take a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the areas you sprinkled with baking soda. Completely wet the baking soda and leave it for 15 minutes.

It will work more effectively if you leave it for a long time. Now use a toothbrush to scrub the grout and wash it thoroughly with water. Don’t use a wire brush; it can ruin the tiles.

Using Dishwashing Soap

Dishwashing soap is a good option to clean grout from high-traffic areas and areas with oil and grease buildup. It cleans the hard buildup and makes the tiles look as good as new.

When dishwashing soap is mixed with water, hydrogen peroxide dissolves into oxygen and water, which makes a powerful cleaning solution to get dry grout off tiles. You can make another cleaning solution from the dish soap.

Take a bowl and pour one cup of baking soda into it. Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and two teaspoons of dish soap into baking soda. Mix all these ingredients well. A paste will be formed.

Apply this paste to the grout spots with a spoon or toothbrush. Spread it and cover the spots completely with it. Leave this paste for a half hour and scrub it with a toothbrush.

Now, rinse the area with warm water so that all soap residues can be removed properly. If residues are not cleaned correctly, more dirt and dust will attract.

Plain Water is a Secret Protector

You can get hardened grout off the tile with plain water. If you know this secret, you will not need any cleaning solution to clean the grout. The effectiveness of this method depends on the temperature of the water.

You have to steam the grout instead of washing it. You have to buy or rent a steam cleaner for this purpose. The investment in buying this machine will be good for homeowners who can’t kneel down and rub the porcelain tile floor.

The steam cleaning machine can also be used to sanitize the tile floor. Nozzles are also available with these machines, which can clean the grout lines.

To start cleaning the grout with a steam machine, fill its tank with clean water and follow all the instructions given in the manual. Keep your focus on the grout stains while cleaning the tile floors.

You don’t have to use any cleaning solution in the steam cleaner. After cleaning the grout, dry the moisture on porcelain tile floors with a clean towel.

Using Warm Water

You can use warm water to clean grout from tiles. To use this method, pour warm water on the dried grout and leave it for an hour to soften it. Now scrub the grout with a sponge and clean it.

You can use a wood or plastic scraper if the grout is hard. Now wash the tiles with warm water and dry the surface with a towel.

Scraper Method

The scraper method is best for the hard grout on the porcelain tiles. However, don’t use a metal scraper because it can damage the floor tiles. Always use a plastic or wooden scraper to remove the grout.

To remove the grout with a scraper, pour any safe solution or warm water on the grout to get it soft. After leaving it for a few minutes, scrape the grout and wash it with clean water.

Lemon Juice Cleaner

Lemon juice works well on cleaning hard things, so it will also work well in cleaning grout. Pour lemon juice on it and leave for one hour. Now rub it with a toothbrush or sponge.

The acid in lemon juice can get out the grout from the tile easily, but this acid does not damage the tile surface.

Nylon Scouring Pad

A nylon scouring pad is an abrasive material that can clean grout from tiles. But keep in mind that it can scratch your porcelain tiles. So, work with it gently because it is harsh. A scouring pad is used for a small amount of grout. In case of heavy grout, use other methods.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

There are some questions that people ask related to how to remove dried grout from porcelain tile.

Which Solution Dissolves Dried Grout?

A solution of sugar and water can dissolve dried grout. Take a bucket and pour one-gallon water into it. Add one cup of sugar and mix it well, so the sugar chunks are no longer in the solution. Pour this solution into the dried grout and let it sit for a while.

Can Vinegar Get Dried Grout Out?

Vinegar is a good cleaning solution to remove dried grout. Pour it on the dried grout and leave it for some time. Now rub with a sponge or toothbrush.

Be careful when using vinegar to remove the grout because it is an acidic product that can ruin the tile surface. Don’t leave it on the floor for a long time.

How to Get Dried Grout Out of Ceramic Tiles?

The methods of removing grout from porcelain are the same as those from ceramic tiles. You can use any safe cleaning solution on the dried grout of ceramic tiles. Don’t leave any acidic solution on the ceramic tile surface for a long time.

Is This Possible to Remove Dried Grout Haze?

Getting dried grout haze off tile is easy. First, let the surface dry completely. But don’t extend this time from 10 days. Now take a bowl of water and dip a terry cloth or towel into it.

Wring it as much as possible and clean the surface with this towel. Repeat this step if required. Now, wipe the surface with another cloth.

How to Get Hardened Grout Off Tiles?

A paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is best for cleaning hardened grout from tiles. Apply it to the grout spot by covering it completely.

Leave this paste for a few minutes. Scrub it with a toothbrush.

Final Thoughts

This article taught you how to remove dried grout from porcelain tile. Homemade cleaning solutions are best to get grout out of the tiles because they are safe and have no side effects.

You must not leave it longer if you have to use vinegar to get dried grout off porcelain tiles as it is an acidic solution that can harm your tiles. Don’t use hard abrasive materials to scrape the grout because they can scratch the tile surface.