Intense cleaning of ceramic tile - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Mitch M · 04-12-2009, 07:54 PM

We have a small dog and since we are gone all day he uses the bathroom in our bathroom on some pads. Similar to diapers. Anyway he either has missed or really missed and now it is on the tile. I was able to scrape it clean for the most part but there were some areas that I could not get up. We are trying to sell our house due to the economy so I am trying to do an intense cleaning of this area. It is not real bad but I did not know if i could use something like acid or not. Any ideas?

Jesse Kirchhoff · 04-12-2009, 08:01 PM

My carpet cleaner does a great job cleaning greasy, nasty, restaurant quarry tile and grout for me - I would assume that dog doo would be a cake walk for him (or another) as well.

Good luck

cleveman · 04-12-2009, 08:03 PM

what have you tried so far?

I guess we're talking about the grout lines, yeah? Just use some warm water with a bit of vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes, then scrub with a brush, then remove the water with the dirt.

Mitch M · 04-12-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

what have you tried so far?

I guess we're talking about the grout lines, yeah? Just use some warm water with a bit of vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes, then scrub with a brush, then remove the water with the dirt.

Actually tile and grout. It is more from the urine than the other.

JazMan · 04-13-2009, 03:26 PM

Just how long did this "matter" sit on your floor before you cleaned it?

How can the tiles be stained too? If is was marble I can see it, but glazed ceramic or porcelain?

Jaz

Mitch M · 04-13-2009, 04:02 PM

We have not been doing a very good job of keeping it cleaned up but now that we are selling the house we have to clean it. The tile itself is not stained but it has crusted over. We managed to scrape most of it off but it is close to the cabinet and is a little harder to get to. I am trying to see what I can use that will help to dissolve it.

Mitch M · 04-14-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

what have you tried so far?

I guess we're talking about the grout lines, yeah? Just use some warm water with a bit of vinegar. Let stand for 5 minutes, then scrub with a brush, then remove the water with the dirt.

Does it matter what kind of vinegar? White or regular?

cleveman · 04-14-2009, 08:38 PM

I like the bouquet of the apple vinegar. Stay away from your wife's balsamic.

You might use a razor blade first on the schinola, or a flat point shovel, depending on the intensity.

If this doesn't doo the trick for you, go straight to sulfuric acid.

strathd · 04-14-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch M

We have not been doing a very good job of keeping it cleaned up but now that we are selling the house we have to clean it. The tile itself is not stained but it has crusted over. We managed to scrape most of it off but it is close to the cabinet and is a little harder to get to. I am trying to see what I can use that will help to dissolve it.

Don't it suck when you have to clean something.........

MattCoops · 04-17-2009, 08:10 PM

If you're selling your house I would want the place in pristine condition.

I would hire a professional cleaner. Probably cost you no more than $50-$60 and be worth every penny.

My cleaner uses a steamer kind of like what they use on carpet but it's made to "power wash" tile and grout. Tile is probably the easiest thing to clean, it's the grout that gets to be stubborn, especially if it's not properly sealed.

If grout gets bad, I just use a pre-wash and a colorant.

Mitch M · 04-18-2009, 06:43 PM

I ended up doing it with acid. Vinegar did not do anything. I got 90% or better up. I could not stay and do any more due to the fumes.

thanks for all the advice.

Darwin · 04-18-2009, 06:46 PM

I've used hydrogen peroxide with good results ...

Floordude · 04-19-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch M

We have a small dog and since we are gone all day he uses the bathroom in our bathroom on some pads. Similar to diapers. Anyway he either has missed or really missed and now it is on the tile. I was able to scrape it clean for the most part but there were some areas that I could not get up. We are trying to sell our house due to the economy so I am trying to do an intense cleaning of this area. It is not real bad but I did not know if i could use something like acid or not. Any ideas?

One of those portable steam jet cleaners.

They really do work, for things like this.