Ok so my 17 year old SIL decided to clean the grout in our entry way using STRAIGHT bleach last night. I came home to find the ceramic tile COVERED in bleach!! Now, after mopping several times I still haven‘t been able to get all the bleach up AND our tiles are stripped!!! Any tips on getting the bleach up and then resealing? Total novice here and desperate for any kind of help!! Thanks!!
You must have very porous tile like unsealed porcelain or terra cotta. What you need to do is rinse it very well to make sure no bleach is left then seal the tiles. Home Depot has tile sealer (not grout sealer - but you should get that too and use it AFTER you seal the tile). First get a terra cotta sealer and apply that. When it repels water that's sprinkled on it you can proceed to seal the grout. Get some penetrating grout sealer (Tile Lab makes a good one that HD carries) and apply that. It's easy. You just wipe it on let it sit a few minutes then wipe off any that hasn't soaked in. Apply 2 or 3 times until it repels water and you're good to go.
neutralize the bleach first and then soap and water till its gone, then you can reseal with materials from any hardware store. Use baking soda for the first process dissolved in water
The grout is porous,... the bleach will never ever come out. It can only dry it. You have to apply heat, let it cool,... THEN seal it all up. DO NOT apply water or allow any water to be sealed up under... Go to you tube or Home Cheapo for a tutorial on how to apply sealer. Don't skimp. It will show. SIL gets to pay for it.
Well congradulations on your very clean floor, never fear the clorine bleach will buff off when it is completely dried considering your existing tile is not porus. if that doesn't take care of it, then try this, use a brush and wash it down very good with water and then use a solution of vinegar and water (half and half) this is called an acid wash in the tile work trade. If that does not solve your problem, then get your SIL back over to remove the existing grout and install new or just ask her to pay for it to be done by a professional (which ever suits ya). Be advised to clean your new grout thoughly twice after it has hazed over, then after 72 hours apply an acid wash mentioed above, let it dry, and install a grout sealer.
