What To Do If You Waited Too Long to Wipe Grout

So you’re working on a tiling project involving tile floors or a kitchen backsplash and got carried away continuing the grout without taking a moment to pause and wipe up the excess grout along the way…and now the grout is stuck on the face of the tile and you can’t get it off.

You’re probably wondering, ‘how to remove dried grout on tile’, especially if you’re working with different types of grout such as unsanded or epoxy grout? You’ve come to the right place! I’m here to teach you how to remove this excess grout with these simple tips and tricks!

I’ve unfortunately been in this situation more times than I would like to admit. It’s just so hard to stop and clean when you’ve got a good rhythm going of accomplishing more square footage of grout!

It doesn’t take long for grout to dry on the tile surface, creating a thin film that makes the surface of the tile harder to clean. To clean grout haze, it’s crucial to act quickly. That’s why it’s best practice to grout a set amount (ie: 4 feet by 4 feet), and then wipe down with a wet sponge or rag. 

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But, what happens when you don’t stop and wipe the excess grout off within a timely fashion? How do you remove dried excess grout or remove the grout haze that is left behind on the tiles?

Well, you’ve come to the right place. This serial DIYer has been in all of these situations way too many times and has the answer! So don’t fret, it’s fixable! It will just take a little elbow grease and time! This step-by-step guide will help you fix dried grout mistakes and remove grout haze easily.

If you’re working with black grout, it can be tricky to apply and clean without leaving a mess. Don’t miss my detailed guide: Tips & Tricks For How To Apply & Clean Black Grout. This post will help you get professional-looking results every time.

How to remove dried excess grout from tile?

There are a few different methods you can try to remove the dried excess grout from your tile. 

1. Soak a tile sponge or rag in hot water or warm water, ensuring you use clean water for best results. A wet sponge or damp sponge works best for scrubbing the tile grout in small sections
2. Wet a soft bristle brush, similar to a toothbrush or a nail cleaning brush. In a circular motion, scrub at the excess grout
3. A more risky option to remove stubborn excess grout is to use a scraper. I would only recommend using a plastic wall-putty scraper because you do not want to scratch the tile. Position the scraper at a 45° angle and gently apply pressure while moving the scraper along the tile grout lines being careful to not scratch the tile

How to remove grout haze that is left behind on tile?

Even if you’ve done an amazing job at stopping the grout process and properly wiping up the excess grout along the way, a grout haze is often times left behind. If a sponge or rag with warm soapy water does not remove the haze, try a grout haze remover or a vinegar solution made from one part vinegar and a mixture of water. There are many different options of grout haze remover that can be purchased from your local hardware store. You will need to read the different bottles to see which product is right for your project – as there are different types of grout haze remover based on the type of stone, tile, product that you are removing the grout from.

For my marble tile, I used Formula 370 (which I purchased at my local Menards). While the first thing that stands out on this spray bottle is “tool cleaner” … you will also notice that this is for grout, mortar, and concrete – specifically grout lines and haze.

What is the best tool to remove excess grout?

For a DIY project involving porous tile or new grout, having the right tools like a grout sponge or scraper is essential. As I mentioned above, there are several tools to remove excess grout. One being a sponge. There are specific tile sponges sold in the tile isle of any hardware store that work great on tile. They are typically yellow with a blue top, like pictured below. The second tool being a plastic putty knife. This will ensure that you do not scratch your tile.

However, aside from the tools mentioned above, my favorite “tool” to remove excess grout is actually a package of baby wipes! Yep, you read that correctly. Baby wipes are made of a thin cloth and water, that’s it! They make for a super easy and disposable clean up process. If you use a rag or sponge, you need to use a lot of water to rinse the rag each time you wipe up the excess grout. Not only is this time consuming, it does require a lot of effort. I prefer to use baby wipes as they are very durable and do an amazing job at cleaning the grout! Plus, I’m not spending tons of time wringing out and refilling buckets! 

Tile Cleaning Upkeep

After removing the excess grout, use a clean towel and rinse water to wipe down the tile material for a flawless finish. This is a crucial step in any tile installation process to achieve the best grout appearance. Once you have all of the excess grout removed, you’ll want to be sure to keep your tile and grout sparkling clean! I recommend using The Best Homemade Grout Cleaner for Tile Floors and Walls recipe to keep your tile and grout looking fabulous!

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