The Thailand expat forum for Travel, Lifestyle and Fun.

Jesus Jones

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.

__________________
Pilger’s law: ‘If it’s been officially denied, then it’s probably true’

The way of life can be free and beautiful, greed has poised men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goosed stepped us into misery and blood shed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives us abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical, our cleverness hard and unkind. We think too much, and feel to less. More than machinery, we need humanity

dirtydog

Toilet cleaner should break away the grout excess on the tiles.

Jesus Jones

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.

tsicar

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

Jesus Jones

That sounds about right. Is this acid was easily available?

dirtydog

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.

Loy Toy

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.

Spin

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.

dirtydog

I think you will find that it damages the tile, it may not show straight away but in months to come will.

BugginOut

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

donald36

Polish them with dry newspaper

DrAndy

make sure it is the Bangkok Post as that is more acidic

Felix Sphinx

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

UpTooYou

oven cleaner