How To Clean Tile With Muriatic Acid
Do your tile floors look heavily stained and dirty? If you have already tried all cleaning tips and hacks but have still not been able to clean the grimy tiles and grout lines, it’s about time you give muriatic acid a chance. It is a slightly less potent variant of hydrochloric acid and is typically used as a last resort for cleaning tiles and grout when all other products have failed to do their job.
However, since it’s a very strong acid, you must proceed with caution.
To help you safely clean your tile floors and restore them to their former glory, we have put together a guide on using muriatic acid that you may find useful. Before we discuss the steps to cleaning tiles with this product, let’s take a quick look at what this acid does.
What is Muriatic Acid?
Muriatic acid is less pure than hydrochloric acid but still quite caustic. It is available in high concentrations in various home maintenance projects, such as cleaning concrete, metal, stones, and tiles. It is also beneficial for removing mold from different surfaces, particularly swimming pools. While extremely effective, please remember that using this acid should not be your first choice for cleaning grout and tiles. You should only use this substance if you’ve run out of options.
If not handled properly, this acid can cause a lot of damage. Since it is extremely strong, it can burn your clothes and skin. It can even eat through plastic and some metals. Moreover, the fumes from muriatic acid can be toxic and irritate your nasal passage and lungs.
How to Clean Tiles and Grout with Muriatic Acid
Here is a step-by-step guide on cleaning grout and tiles with muriatic acid.
Step 1: Make an Acid Solution
Take a bucket and fill it with one gallon of plain water. Next, slowly pour a cup of muriatic acid into the water. Make sure to put on rubber gloves and safety goggles while creating this cleaning mixture. Moreover, please do not add the acid into an empty bucket and fill it with water afterwards. Doing so can result in a vigorous chemical reaction, causing the water to boil.
Step 2: Apply Acid Solution on the Tiles
Use a paintbrush to apply the acid solution to the grout lines and tiles. Do not pour the liquid onto the floor or scrub it with a brush. Let the solution rest for a few seconds and watch out for any reaction. Refrain from leaving the tile floor unattended and keep your kids and pets away from the area. Leaving the solution on the floor for more than a few minutes may cause damage to the tiles.
Step 3: Rinse the Tiles
Once the stains get lighter and the grout lines start losing the grime, it’s time to rinse off the acid solution. You can use a bucket of clean water to wash the tiles thoroughly. Make sure to protect your skin and eyes while removing the acid solution.
Step 4: Neutralize the Acidity
Now that your tiles and grout lines look cleaner, you should neutralize the remaining acidity. For this purpose, mix a cup of ammonia into a gallon of water. You can dip a clean cloth or sponge into the solution and apply it to the tiles. Wait for a couple of minutes before rinsing the surface with clean water once again.
Please note that both muriatic acid and ammonia can erode your tiles and damage the grout if you use them too often.
Some Jobs are Better Left to the Professionals
Cleaning grout and tiles require a lot of time, patience, and elbow grease. Moreover, most homeowners are not aware of which products can be harmful to their tiles. Therefore, it is always good to get in touch with professionals for a high-quality cleaning service.
Before you resort to using muriatic acid on your tile floors, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Dirty Grout for some advice and a free estimate. Our team of experts specializes in cleaning tiles and grouts. You can also call or text at 941-457-4197.