Danger - Tiles Can React Badly To Acids Such As Fruit Juices and Vinegar!
By John Evans on Nov 5, 2008 in Glass, Problem Solving, nanoscrub
Visitor’s Question - “Hello, I have recently had some metallic effect glass mosaic tiles fitted in a bathroom but unfortunately the tiler did not remove the excess grout (cement based) and it has hardened and does not remove by normal scrubbing. I’ve tried a mild (diluted) acid based grout remover on a sample tile but it removes the metallic sheen. Is there any way to clean the grout or will the tiles need to be removed and scrapped?”Our Answer: “Hi Adam, some metallic glazed tiles do react badly to acids, even every day ones such as fruit-juice and vinegar. If they have gone dull, that is likely to be as a result of acid etching and they will not be repairable unfortunately. There is a chance that the acid has just dulled some of the grout (partially removed the grout residue and left it looking dull) but I suspect it is the glaze’s sensitivity to acids that you are seeing.
Needless to say, do not use any more acidic cleaners. To remove the rest of the residue I would try Nanoscrub. Pre wet the tiles and add a blob of the cleaner, then scrub with a white nylon pad. If this does nothing, then you may have to replace the tiles. You will more than likely have to replace any that you have inadvertently dulled with the acid. Sorry we cannot be of more help.”
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