Before you clean new tiles after installation, you'll need to wait for the grout to dry. Check with your contractor or check the grout package to see how long that will take. Just make sure it isn't longer than ten days, or the grout haze won't come off.
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 DIY-ed it, your grout's packaging—for the exact amount of time.
Let the grout set for 15 to 30 minutes, and wipe up the excess grout with a dense grout sponge soaked in water. (If you think it's going to take you longer than 30 minutes to grout all of the tiles and be ready to move onto cleanup, you may have to work in smaller sections.)
Before trying to remove any haze, make sure your tile surface is totally dry. About 24 hours are usually needed for this. To find out how long it will take, check with your installation specialist or, if you did it yourself, the grout's package. However, you shouldn't leave grout haze on for longer than 10 days.
Ideally, the final wipe-down will take place after the grout has been allowed to cure for 24 hours.
It is important to wait until the grout has set in before wiping the tiles clean, as premature wiping can result in gouges. However, don't wait too long, or the grout will dry onto the tiles, potentially causing irreversible damage.
Once the grout has started to harden (20 to 30 minutes), begin sponging. Don't use just any sponge, especially one from the kitchen; choose a “hydrophilic” sponge. Make sure the sponge is damp, not wet, and sweep diagonally across the face of the tile and wipe the grout off the tile surface.
The standard cement grout commonly found in most hardware stores and used in most residential homes takes around 48-72 hours to cure. But it is worth pointing out that you need to know how to mix grout the right way. If too much water is added it will obviously take longer to dry and won't do its job as well.
Let the grout dry for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer before applying sealer. Spread the sealer with a small paintbrush or a sealer applicator. Clean off any smears within the first five minutes. Let the grout dry for at least 24 hours.
First, wash your tiles and grout with sugar soap using a toothbrush and scrubbing brush. We used Selley's Sugar Soap concentrate for this, mixed with warm water in a bucket – it works a treat. Use your toothbrush, scrubbing brush and some elbow grease to scrub the grout and give it a good going-over.
Before you clean the grout between your tiles, it's always a good idea to clean the tiles first. If the tiles are on your floor then give them a good mop. If the tiles are on the walls then wipe them down with a moist cloth and a cleaning solution; all purpose kitchen or bathroom cleaner will do.
If grouted too early for instance of adhesive that takes 24 hrs to dry the white grout may discolour because of the moisture still in the adhesive and it cant get out due to the grout.. so will discolour... Small tiled area, there's nothing wrong with using rapid set and grouting the same day.
The shortest time after laying tile that you can grout is 24 hours. However, it is much better to wait at least 48 hours before grouting. This is to give the mortar ample time to set and dry before pressure is applied. Choose a nice and dry day to lay your tile.
You can begin your haze cleaning as early as 24 hours after grout is dry up to 10 days after. It is not a good idea to wait longer than 10 days as it will make the job much harder. To clean grout haze all you need is some simple white distilled vinegar, warm water, a bucket, scrubby sponge, and a mop.
Luigi's Answer: Under certain circumstances, a white powder can form on grout, especially on floor tiles. This is a natural phenomenon known as efflorescence. It is due to soluble salts rising to the surface of a cement based product. When they dry out on the surface, the remaining salts appear white and powdery.
Grout is a material that is applied between tiles in order to fill the spaces and hold the tiles together. It is a rough and porous material, which allows dirt and grime to adhere to it very easily. Furthermore, liquid substances can penetrate deep within the grout causing it to look discolored.
But if you are using 2mm or 3mm tile spacers and don't have a grouting tool to hand you can use the top of a round pencil to get the uniform finish. Leave in water to moisten and dip each time you use the pencil.
You can grout with your finger. First apply the grout with a float, then neaten the grout line by running your finger along the lines. Leave to harden off a little before wiping the excess grout from the tiles' surfaces. After you have wiped, check the lines and again use your finger to create a neat finish.
Highly caustic or acidic cleaners, like bleach or vinegar, will corrode and slowly destroy grout and tile finishes.
Grout Must Set and Cure
That usually takes between 48 and 72 hours. If you can avoid walking on your floor for that amount of time, that would be ideal. Once the grout is fully cured, you can walk on your new tile flooring with no concerns about damaging it or causing tile pieces to shift.