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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    Any tips for cleaning floor tiles

    I finished the bathroom 3 days ago and i'm now in the process of cleaning and a little remedial work here an there, however i can not get the floor clean. I tiled the floor last with the exception of the bottom wall tile so that it over-lapped, and although some cement did get on the tiles I wiped any excess away. I then grouted Friday night and likewise cleaned any excess, altough this was a complete barsteward to do. When the tiles are wet they look great, but as it starts to dry they look like dust has been sprinkled over them. The were a mid priced tile at 40bht each 13" square and have a rough feel to them as they are none slip in a grey finish. Almost slate like.

    I remember a builder in the UK said rubbing a little veg oil over them gives them a clean look.

    Any tips appreciated.
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  2. #2

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Toilet cleaner should break away the grout excess on the tiles.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    I'll give it a whirl. Failing that i'm getting the wire flat-wheel out and the drill. Already tried it on a waste tile. Doesn't damage the tile fortunately.

  4. #4
    anonymous ant
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Jones View Post
    I finished the bathroom 3 days ago and i'm now in the process of cleaning and a little remedial work here an there, however i can not get the floor clean. I tiled the floor last with the exception of the bottom wall tile so that it over-lapped, and although some cement did get on the tiles I wiped any excess away. I then grouted Friday night and likewise cleaned any excess, altough this was a complete barsteward to do. When the tiles are wet they look great, but as it starts to dry they look like dust has been sprinkled over them. The were a mid priced tile at 40bht each 13" square and have a rough feel to them as they are none slip in a grey finish. Almost slate like.

    I remember a builder in the UK said rubbing a little veg oil over them gives them a clean look.

    Any tips appreciated.
    if the tiles are porous, and the cement grout has stuck to them,acid wash them
    sounds like they just need a good buffing, tho.
    each time you wash them you leave a film of cement dust on them. a good sealer will work, too.l

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tsicar View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Jones View Post
    I finished the bathroom 3 days ago and i'm now in the process of cleaning and a little remedial work here an there, however i can not get the floor clean. I tiled the floor last with the exception of the bottom wall tile so that it over-lapped, and although some cement did get on the tiles I wiped any excess away. I then grouted Friday night and likewise cleaned any excess, altough this was a complete barsteward to do. When the tiles are wet they look great, but as it starts to dry they look like dust has been sprinkled over them. The were a mid priced tile at 40bht each 13" square and have a rough feel to them as they are none slip in a grey finish. Almost slate like.

    I remember a builder in the UK said rubbing a little veg oil over them gives them a clean look.

    Any tips appreciated.
    if the tiles are porous, and the cement grout has stuck to them,acid wash them
    sounds like they just need a good buffing, tho.
    each time you wash them you leave a film of cement dust on them. a good sealer will work, too.l
    That sounds about right. Is this acid was easily available?

  6. #6

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Toilet cleaner is acid.
    If ingesting mix well with water, if cleaning tiles and or toilets use neat, leave for 5 minutes, give it a quick scrub to make sure all the grout has lifted, then rinse.

  7. #7
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    I've mixed lemon juice and vinegar mixed with water and left it on to soak for about 30 minutes and then used a sponge to clean most of the residue off.

    From experience never use any acidic solution (such as lemon juice and vinegar) on marble as my wife did.
    Last edited by Loy Toy; 25-05-2009 at 01:21 AM.

  8. #8
    ding ding ding
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    Brillo pads and washing up liquid. For any extra grout push a "stanley knife" blade held at 45 degrees to the tile held in a pair of pliers to remove excess.

  9. #9

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesus Jones
    Failing that i'm getting the wire flat-wheel out and the drill
    I think you will find that it damages the tile, it may not show straight away but in months to come will.

  10. #10
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    I wouldn't rub any vegetable oil on tiles in the bathroom, unless you want to pull a William Holden.

  11. #11
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    Polish them with dry newspaper

  12. #12
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    make sure it is the Bangkok Post as that is more acidic

  13. #13
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    Lemon and Vinegar? Balsamic I hope and spot of mustrad and lettuce be good enough to lick off!

    The grout will remerge lest you seal and grey colours tend to be difficult perhaps a good sealant thogh this leads to slippage
    Duck boards are great in our shower but we have to replace in the sun as they attract local wildlife after the shower in wet dark spots,rather like bars!
    Good luck pm if you still cannot do it
    Be aware if using strong chemicals they can stop septic tanks,a seperate soak away is better for floors
    "Universal suffrage is like the government of a house by its nursery.But you can do anything with children if you play with them'. Otto von Bismarck

  14. #14
    I am in Jail

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    oven cleaner

  15. #15
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    Toilet bowl cleaner is very good for homogeneous (non glazed) tile. For glazed tile you can use stronger solutions.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Humbert View Post
    Toilet bowl cleaner is very good for homogeneous (non glazed) tile. For glazed tile you can use stronger solutions.
    isnt that something to do with milk??
    thought they were vitrified.

  17. #17
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    ^same difference

  18. #18
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    we have white stains on our bathroom grey tiles

    difficult to remove, not sure if grout or paint

    tried a wire brush, it sort of works

  19. #19
    FarangRed
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    a wire brush will scratch the of the tiles then you will always have the problem, I looked at a pool the other week the line of tile above the water are going white same story the guys have been using a wire brush and a scraper all the glaze has come of

  20. #20
    Thailand Expat Jesus Jones's Avatar
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    My floor tiles which weren't cheap after 3 months look old. I've cleaned them with dedicated tile cleaner which looks great 24 hours later. But after a couple of days they look old again.

    I'm having them ripped up and i'm going to re-tile with something else. Maybe a cream color none-slip type will hold up better in the cleanliness looks?

  21. #21
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    baking soda and vinegar

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by phomsanuk View Post
    baking soda and vinegar

    what's that for, muffins?

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