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.
As mentioned earlier, the specific recommended waiting time for grout to set and dry will vary based on the product and brand you are using. However, a common guideline is to wait approximately 15 to 30 minutes after applying the grout before wiping off the excess.
When grouting, you should first let the grout dry for 15 to 30 minutes before sponging. You'll want to repeat this process after three hours.
Mix until dry grout powder is incorporated and no clumps remain. Consistency should resemble smooth peanut butter. Let grout sit for 10 minutes to slake. After resting, briefly mix it again and use immediately.
If you don't allow the mortar to cure thoroughly before you start grouting, your tiles may dislodge or move around down the road, leading to uneven surfaces.
While the initial drying process may take several hours, the curing process can span days, weeks, or even months, depending on various factors. It's not uncommon for grout to achieve its maximum strength potential only after 28 days of continuous curing under ideal conditions.
On average I'd say 20-30 minutes. If you mixed the grout with lukewarm water and the room is 65 degrees and the tile is about the same, you should start seeing a haze forming on the tiles and the grout gets somewhat stiff. Wring all the water out of your sponge and try to barely touch the grout as you wipe it.
Mistakes such as using the wrong grout, uneven application, and using too much water can yield an end product that won't last long (and looks unsightly, too).
Add too much water as you mix and the grout will never get as hard as will grout mixed properly. The proper consistency for grout, in fact, is like that of a thick cake batter. The grout, once mixed, should readily stick to the end of a putty knife.
If cleaning is not possible after 24 hours, then you should not leave your grout haze uncleaned for more than 10 days, otherwise, it will be even harder to remove. Finally, you need to be sure you have the right cleaner for your tile material. Acidic cleaners, for example, should not be used on stone.
We recommend waiting for at least 48 hours after installing a grout before you apply a sealer. Older grout should be cleaned thoroughly before being left to dry.
Although a grout float is considered to be the primary tool for grout application, there are other alternatives such as a grout bag, putty knife, or a sponge and cloth. If you need any of these tile installation tools, feel free to contact us.
Use a rag or sponge mop to wipe down your dirty grout with hot water. (Don't use paper towels as they will break down and leave paper flakes on your surfaces.) Make sure the rag or mop is clean; if it's not, you'll just be adding a new layer of dirt and grime to the grout.
Different ways to remove grout haze
If this does not work completely, use a mixture of 50% water and 50% vinegar. The acid dissolves the lime residues that make up a grout haze. Special grout haze removers, which you can buy in the tile shop or hardware store, work on the same principle.
Generally, you should be okay to mix up some grout and touch up any trouble spots in your new grout. Stuff like pin holes, scratches or low spots can be touched up with fresh grout the next day. The trick is to blend in the new grout with the old so make sure you mix it the same way that you mixed it the day before.
Some professionals swear by a simple mixture of baking soda and peroxide to clean grout. Hydrogen peroxide is an acid, and baking soda is a base compound. Mixing the two together creates a reaction that can penetrate the grout lines and free dirt and debris.
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.
Acidic Cleaners
Cleaners that have a high chemical pH or are acidic will begin to eat away at your grout and make it more fragile and porous. Stay away from cleaners that contain vinegar and citrus. This will eat away at the top layer of the grout and cause the need for replacing grout lines sooner.
Tiles with a square edge need to have the grout finished flush with the tiled surface. Tiles with a cushion or radius edge should have the grout finished to the bottom of the cushion or radius.
Why Grout Sometimes Looks Dirty When It's Clean. Sometimes, when grout is permanently stained or has an uneven appearance due to improper mixing of grout during installation, neither aggressive DIY methods nor professional cleaning will produce a completely uniform, clean appearance.
Grout is used to fill the gaps between walls, usually tiles, so that they stick together. For grout to work its magic, it should be left to dry for a reasonable amount of time; otherwise, all your efforts will be ruined. On average, grout takes around 24-72 hours to dry.
Optimally, no more than 30 minutes should pass for the initial wiping off of excess grout. This process must be performed gently with a wet grout sponge during regrouting. Once the grout application is complete and excess grout removed, there will be a second waiting process.
The typical cement ground found at most hardware stores takes 48 to 72 hours to dry. It's tempting to touch grout to see if it's dry, but try to resist. That said, you'll likely notice that wet grout is much darker than dry.
You don't want to. Grout doesn't dry, it cures by chemical reaction. There are additives that can alter that time but they have to built into the formulation. If you try to speed this up by heat or air movement, you interfere with this process.