We are often asked at FindAnyFloor.com how to remove grout haze and residue from ceramic and porcelain tiles. This week Michael Prachniak, owner of Tile Productions in Orlando Florida, has been kind enough to answer this for DIY tile flooring consumers.

The question was "I just installed new ceramic tile and I still have a hazy looking floor from the tile grout that I sponged up. What can I do to make the tiles shine?"

Thank you for submitting your tile question at FindAnyFloor.com. My name is Michael Prachniak and I have been in the tile installation business for 22 years and am here to offer free advice. I understand you are having problems with your grout. If the grout joints themselves are properly filled and cleaned off and the only concern is removing the stubborn haze left behind on the tile than you may need to do a light acid wash. I recommend using sulfamic acid (NOT to be confused with sulfuric acid!!!). It is made by Custom Building Products and is available at many flooring distributers and Home Depot. Follow all safety and application instructions on the container. If you have unglazed tile, you will be mixing 8 ounces of crystals to one gallon of water, and if you have glazed tiles, you will be mixing 2 to 3 ounces of crystals to one gallon of water. Be sure to do a test spot in a hidden area and check for etching. If the floor has a glass like finish, than it would be more likely to etch.

It is important to saturate your floor with clean tap water for about an hour before applying the acidic solution in order to protect your grout. Then remove the clean water and apply the solution of crystals and water to the floor and scrub in with an acid resistant nylon brush attached to a broom handle. Wait a few minutes and scrub a second time. Finally, wipe up the acid solution and rinse a few times with clean water. Before the final rinse you may want to sprinkle on baking soda to neutralize the acid.

Here is a link to TileLab® Sulfamic Acid Cleaner.