Will Grout Haze Eventually Go Away? Yes, eventually grout haze goes away but you need to take special measures. Just by diligently wiping down the surface with a wet sponge, the haze will remain and won't come off.
Floor grout, in general, usually dries completely after 24 hours, although humidity and other factors can extend this drying time to 48+ hours. Grout haze can sometimes be simply buffed out with a dry towel or cheesecloth, if done immediately within the first 48 hours.
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. But do not wait more than 10 days to remove grout haze.
You'll want to get rid of it as soon as possible after the installation is complete and the grout has cured. Removing the grout haze too early could bring up the grout that you want to remain between the tiles, and this could in turn create a new layer of haze.
Waiting too long to wipe grout could result in unsightly grout haze. Don't wait too long to wipe off grout!
For minor instances of grout haze, you might simply be able to remove it with some cheesecloth. First, put on a pair of nitrile or latex gloves. Then, wet the cheesecloth, wring it out, and wipe down the tile. You also can try running a clean rubber grout float over the tile to buff off the haze.
Similar to the white powder left in a drinking glass when a glass of water is left to evaporate, efflorescence is caused by minerals that are soluble in water being dissolved and transported to the surface of the grout as the water evaporates.
Sponging the grout too soon will pull it out of the joints, so let it set for about 15 minutes. After that, use a damp sponge to clean the face of the tiles in a light, circular motion. Next, clean the sponge and go over the tile again, wiping at a slight diagonal to the joint.
Re: Removing grout haze
I'd suggest using a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Please make sure to flush the area down with fresh water after your attempt.
It can stain porous tiles or glazed tiles with micro cracking in its surface called crazing. If it is a cement haze, then a mild acid can be used to remove it such as sulphamic acid or a diluted phosphoric acid. You can use diluted vinegar since it is acidic to see if it does any good.
Once you've activated the micro-scrubbers inside, your Magic Eraser is good to go. Start by swiping it firmly across the desired surface. In just a few swipes, you should start to see grout messes and buildup begin to disappear!
To get rid of grout haze on porcelain or ceramic tiles, use a vinegar solution. In a big spray bottle or bucket, combine one part white vinegar with four parts water. For enhanced strength, more vinegar can be used. Use a mop or a soft nylon pad depending on the surface you need to clean.
Grout turning white is usually due to efflorescence, which the movement of salt or minerals to the surface of porous material (such as your grout) and forms a whitish coating.
Brush or Wash Away Efflorescence
Otherwise, you can often remove this salty deposit by simply brushing the grout with a stiff brush. In cases where brushing doesn't work, you can remove efflorescence with acid products. Try concentrated solutions of the acid tile and grout cleaners already in your cleaning arsenal.
If for some reason the grout haze does not come clean or you waited just a little too long, you can use a solution of ½ cup of vinegar, ½ cup of ammonia, 1 cup baking soda and 2 quarts of water or pick up a commercial haze cleaner at the store.
The vinegar penetrates into the pores of the grout, further weakening the material. Over time, vinegar will deteriorate the condition of the grout by etching or wearing it away. If, however, you have sealed your grout on a regular basis, the vinegar won't be an issue.
Efflorescence. Efflorescence is the white residue that is commonly seen on tiles. It is caused by water penetration, specifically when the minerals in water crystallize on the tile's surface.
The QEP Multi-Surface Microfiber Cloth can be used to clean, dust and shine most surfaces. It is ideal for removing grout haze after tile installation. This cleaning cloth is durable and washable for multiple uses.
Apply warm water and lemon juice to the grout and allow it to soak in. It should help to soften the area a little to make removal easier. For grout that has solidified on a surface it should not have, use steel wool to remove it as the water dissolves the grout.
The answer is, yes, it is possible to put new grout over old grout.
You can apply new grout right over the top of the old grout. To do this, all you need is a grout removal tool. Use the tool to strike out the old grout, making sure the depth is at least 2mm, which is about the thickness of two dimes stacked one on top of the other.