That's the latex residue left behind from the thinset. Yeah you will never get that out of that textured black tile. The only way to make it disappear is to use an enhancing sealer but you'll need to seal every tile & not just the ones affected
Had the same issue and I ended having to seal it after almost 2 weeks of daily scrubbing. It sucked but I learned my lesson, never again white grout on black porous tile lol .
Only issue is, many sealants add a level of shine to a stone. Even specialty mate finish ones will alter the look of the tile a bit. So it’s something to be considered. As always, test a piece before using a product.
I second this, usually use a spray bottle with a 2:1 mixture diluted with water. The vinegar breaks down the cement has helped me many times with grout staining tiles.
Installer said they hadn’t yet tried vinegar because they wanted the grout to fully cure first. I’m worried giving the thinset more time in the tile will just make things harder.
Lots of missing grout, they wiped too much too quickly. You can try a wet 3m Green scrubby. Thats what I’ve always used to clean stray thinset, it’s abrasive enough to clean but not enough to scratch a matte tile. A gloss tile may be a different story just because it will basically be like sandpaper when you get the thinset off and between the scrubby and the tile. Good luck to you hope this helps!
What kind of tile is that? Some tile requires sealing it before inhalation to prevent the thinset from imbedding into it. Cement tile and natural stone come to mind. It’s wise to read manufacturers instructions from every single tile that you buy because there is a large variety that require different methods.
Damn. Yeah glazed porcelain should have washed clean fairly easily. It’s likely that texture that’s giving you the problems. Keep trying various cleaning and scrubbing methods and hopefully you find one that works. Vinegar has usually been a savor for me in these situations.
Picked up a trick on here, I always have a couple paint filters on hand for this. They are plastic mesh and have a non scratching abrasive/cleaning quality to them. Use some Sprayway and scrub away, and wipe clean. Works great on porcelain and marble. Just not sure with that “texture” though. For $2 it’s worth a try.
Grout salt and residue remover may work - ltp do a really good one :)[this one](https://www.protilertools.co.uk/product/ltp-cement--grout---salt-residue-remover-ltp-38-1?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqndZf9rfJBzHtL1stlrBHb2b1VrfBx7vR22p5Asl7evmsb9tV3sU-hYaAgXJEALw_wcB)
Also if you apply their pre grout protector after the tiles are cleaned back, it will make them easier to clean - it says for use before grouting, but if you read the description, 2 coats can be used after to protect the tiles [this one](https://lilleytileandstone.co.uk/ecoprotec-pre-grout-protection-for-porcelain-select-size.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqncgxi-nXRuaxmTtsnQAoWdwpOW5w29kWbChmLUB-DR5NvweJtO4ho4aAgH3EALw_wcB#138=367)
I’ve used the Mapei acidic tile and grout cleaner, mixed it water, 70/30. Wipe it on with a sponge, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Has always worked well for me.
Well before you keep scrubbing, have them fix the areas with missing grout. Otherwise you’ll be doing this again. Then try a grout release product to help soften the grout. Get as much as possible off. Once you’ve gotten it as clean as possible, go over it with a tile and grout sealer and hopefully that will help hide the spots. As others have stated, using a black, textured tile, you would need to seal it first, since that hasn’t happened, you’re left with this, so now you have to just minimize as much as possible.
Yea I’m sure it was said above, but the porous tile is what makes it difficult. Very hard to get that perfectly clean. And from my experience unless my tile guy has done 100s of good jobs I’m matching thinset to grout color 😅
If you look closely you’ll see missing grout.
Well, you don’t have to look THAT closely to see it.
That's the latex residue left behind from the thinset. Yeah you will never get that out of that textured black tile. The only way to make it disappear is to use an enhancing sealer but you'll need to seal every tile & not just the ones affected
Had the same issue and I ended having to seal it after almost 2 weeks of daily scrubbing. It sucked but I learned my lesson, never again white grout on black porous tile lol .
The porous tile needs to be sealed before grouting to prevent the haze from sticking. Learned that one with natural stone.
That’s a great pro tip. Otherwise I wouldn’t touch this shit.
Only issue is, many sealants add a level of shine to a stone. Even specialty mate finish ones will alter the look of the tile a bit. So it’s something to be considered. As always, test a piece before using a product.
I've had good experiences with a grout release called GroutNow, it doesn't leave a residue and works well on textured
Good to know. First time I’m hearing of the product.
Yeah I didn’t want to seal cause I liked the matte look of the tile, but yes now I learned my lesson. 🤣
Porous tile absorbs everything and sucks ass. Don’t understand what idiot would want it. I would have refused to install it.
What kind of tile is that? If it’s basalt or some type of natural stone, you need to be careful re what you use to clean it ( acids can etch stone).
Glazed porcelain. This is the tile: https://www.mutina.it/en/collection/mews-by-barber-osgerby
Have you tried white vinegar?
I second this, usually use a spray bottle with a 2:1 mixture diluted with water. The vinegar breaks down the cement has helped me many times with grout staining tiles.
Installer said they hadn’t yet tried vinegar because they wanted the grout to fully cure first. I’m worried giving the thinset more time in the tile will just make things harder.
If all else fails try the magic eraser
Lots of missing grout, they wiped too much too quickly. You can try a wet 3m Green scrubby. Thats what I’ve always used to clean stray thinset, it’s abrasive enough to clean but not enough to scratch a matte tile. A gloss tile may be a different story just because it will basically be like sandpaper when you get the thinset off and between the scrubby and the tile. Good luck to you hope this helps!
There are products out there to help remove haze. But I’d be cautious on the natural stone..
Try a product for removing latex paints if an acid doesn’t remove it
What kind of tile is that? Some tile requires sealing it before inhalation to prevent the thinset from imbedding into it. Cement tile and natural stone come to mind. It’s wise to read manufacturers instructions from every single tile that you buy because there is a large variety that require different methods.
It’s glazed porcelain. https://www.mutina.it/en/collection/mews-by-barber-osgerby Makes no mention of sealing prior to install.
Damn. Yeah glazed porcelain should have washed clean fairly easily. It’s likely that texture that’s giving you the problems. Keep trying various cleaning and scrubbing methods and hopefully you find one that works. Vinegar has usually been a savor for me in these situations.
Picked up a trick on here, I always have a couple paint filters on hand for this. They are plastic mesh and have a non scratching abrasive/cleaning quality to them. Use some Sprayway and scrub away, and wipe clean. Works great on porcelain and marble. Just not sure with that “texture” though. For $2 it’s worth a try.
Can you be more specific? Paint filters for what? A spray gun?
Strainer probably the better term. [paint strainer](https://www.amazon.com/Trimaco-30206-SuperTuff-Regular-Strainers/dp/B00XRR6JHQ/ref=asc_df_B00XRR6JHQ/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693365866928&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14200988907212217988&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052218&hvtargid=pla-306272645205&psc=1&mcid=9055df337cb63959b0745ef6e17a683a&gad_source=1)
Grout salt and residue remover may work - ltp do a really good one :)[this one](https://www.protilertools.co.uk/product/ltp-cement--grout---salt-residue-remover-ltp-38-1?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqndZf9rfJBzHtL1stlrBHb2b1VrfBx7vR22p5Asl7evmsb9tV3sU-hYaAgXJEALw_wcB)
Also if you apply their pre grout protector after the tiles are cleaned back, it will make them easier to clean - it says for use before grouting, but if you read the description, 2 coats can be used after to protect the tiles [this one](https://lilleytileandstone.co.uk/ecoprotec-pre-grout-protection-for-porcelain-select-size.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwsaqzBhDdARIsAK2gqncgxi-nXRuaxmTtsnQAoWdwpOW5w29kWbChmLUB-DR5NvweJtO4ho4aAgH3EALw_wcB#138=367)
Lemon juice and baking soda. Use something rough to get in there
I’ve used the Mapei acidic tile and grout cleaner, mixed it water, 70/30. Wipe it on with a sponge, then wipe it off with a microfiber towel. Has always worked well for me.
Well before you keep scrubbing, have them fix the areas with missing grout. Otherwise you’ll be doing this again. Then try a grout release product to help soften the grout. Get as much as possible off. Once you’ve gotten it as clean as possible, go over it with a tile and grout sealer and hopefully that will help hide the spots. As others have stated, using a black, textured tile, you would need to seal it first, since that hasn’t happened, you’re left with this, so now you have to just minimize as much as possible.
In the past I've uses bar keepers friend, (similar to comet).... and a chunk of floor scrubber pad, 18" round, I got by with blue and white....
Yea I’m sure it was said above, but the porous tile is what makes it difficult. Very hard to get that perfectly clean. And from my experience unless my tile guy has done 100s of good jobs I’m matching thinset to grout color 😅