How to Remove Grout Haze

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If you notice a cloudiness appear across your tiled surfaces days after a bathroom renovation, it’s probably not a thick layer of soap scum that has accumulated in the very short time its been in use. More likely, this was left over from the day the tile was put in. Grout haze is an unintentional consequence that often happens after installing grout, and it usually doesn’t appear until a few days after the grout is in.

How does the haze happen? When a tile floor or wall is laid, the entire surface gets covered with grout and is wiped away. When the excess has not been properly cleared from the tile surface, what little that remains will eventually dry out, leaving behind a dull white, minerally film.

Unlike dirt and grime that coats your bathroom floor from everyday use, this discoloration is not quite so simple to wipe up. Sure, some new grout haze can be removed with a damp towel; other instances, though, may be stubborn enough to require special products. Your best means of cleanup depends on the type of grout and tile you’ve used. So, refresh yourself on your renovation materials, then follow our guide on how to remove grout haze to clear up the cloudiness as quickly as possible.

How to Remove Grout Haze

Materials needed to remove grout from tile, including an orange bucket, vinegar, and sponge. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

You have four main tools at your disposal to get the job done. The methods ahead outline how to remove grout haze using:

water and cheesecloth,
a rubber grout float,
diluted vinegar (on porcelain or ceramic tile only) and a nylon scrub pad,
and a commercial grout haze remover.

Before You Begin

Allow grout to harden fully. Make sure your tile surface is completely dry before you attempt to remove any haze. This typically takes about 24 hours. Consult your installation professional (or, if you installed the tile yourself, the grout’s packaging) for the exact amount of time.
But do not wait more than 10 days to remove grout haze. If you do, harsher, full-strength removers may be required.
Determine if your grout is epoxy-based or not. This type of grout is designed for maximum strength and stain-repellence, so the haze that forms will be harder to remove. You’ll likely require a commercial cleaning product (see Method 4). Contact the grout manufacturer if you have any questions about what type of cleaner would be best.
Determine the material of your tile. This will also influence what type of cleaner you can use. Smooth ceramic and porcelain tiles can be exposed to acidic cleaners like vinegar, but porous stone and slate tiles should not. This makes haze removal a bit more difficult, but not impossible. You’ll have the best luck using a special cleaner.

Method 1: Cheesecloth and Water

Woman wearing rubber gloves wipes floor with a cheesecloth, an orange bucket in the background. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Protect your hands with rubber gloves, and dip your cheesecloth (or terry cloth) in water. Wring thoroughly, as too much water can damage grout. Then, wipe tile surface with the damp cheesecloth. This method will help “reactivate” the grout haze, lifting it off the surface.

Method 2: Rubber Grout Float

Person wearing yellow goves uses a grout float at an angle on a tile floor. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Homeowners who installed grout themselves can reach into their toolbag once more: The rubber grout float used for pushing grout into cracks between tile can come in handy when wiping away haze, too. Like a specialized squeegee, it features a flat and mostly-firm rubber pad at the end of a paddle-shaped handle. Pull the edge of the float towards you across the tile surface, and its soft edge should drag those stuck-on grout minerals without scratching the tile or gouging the fresh grout. Repeat until all the haze is removed.

Go over the surface again with a damp grouting sponge (a larger, denser version of what you’d normally use on dishes).

Buff entire area with cheesecloth or terry cloth. Finally, check your work: Shine a flashlight on the tile surface to see if any dull, streaky residue remains. If you have yet to remove all the grout haze, continue to Method 3.

Method 3: Vinegar

Woman wearing rubber gloves sprays tile floor, a jug of vinegar in background. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

If your tile is porcelain or ceramic, try a vinegar solution to remove grout haze. (With slate or stone, this is a no-no! Its acidity—which comes in handy when cutting through grease and mineral deposits—can damage these porous surfaces. Skip to Method 4.) Mix 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water in a bucket or large spray bottle. Additional vinegar can be added for extra strength.

Depending on the surface area you must cover, use a mop or soft nylon pad. Clean the area with pure water following the vinegar-water solution.

If this doesn’t remove all the haze, you can move on to a commercial cleaner.

Method 4: Commercial Grout Remover

Person wearing rubber gloves uses grout remover on tile floor. — Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila

Keep these two things in mind before you choose a product:

If your grout is epoxy-based, pick up a product designed to remove grout haze. If your grout is not epoxy-based, you may still benefit from using a commercial product to help remove grout haze that won’t budge.
If your tile is slate or stone, always choose a product specially formulated for those surfaces.

When using chemical solutions like these, be sure to wear a protective mask and rubber gloves. Read and follow the directions of your chosen product carefully. You may wish to dilute the product with water in a 50-50 ratio before applying it to your tile surface: Spray the tile surface lightly with water, then apply your commercial cleaner. Leave for several minutes.

Use a nylon scrub pad to swirl the cleaner over the surface and loosen the grout haze. Lift the excess cleaner with a mop, then rinse the surface with clean water. Dry off with a soft towel or terry cloth and double-check your job with a flashlight.