Removing efflorescence

[sWe]

I heard someone saying you could remove efflorescence stains with a water-white vinegar mix and a rough sponge. Has anyone tried this? It would certainly be less hazardous and less expensive than using stain removers based on phosphoric acid.

[garythetiler]

what type of tile is it on

[whitebeam]

A brickie I know uses warm water on bricks, Say's it works

[pjc]

i use brick acid :Pete

[garythetiler]

Originally Posted by pjc

i use brick acid :Pete

that wouldnt be too good on natural stone work or even on some soluble salt porcelain tiles when you get efforessence its normally salts coming out of the substrate due to movement of water once the floor drys out completely the efforensense normally stops

[sWe]

No problem with efflorescence here atm; just for future reference

[TilingLogistics]

Originally Posted by whitebeam

A brickie I know uses warm water on bricks, Say's it works

That would aggravate the problem I am afraid. Water is the driving factor and the main cause of Efflorescence

Kev

[pjc]

Originally Posted by garythetiler

that wouldnt be too good on natural stone work or even on some soluble salt porcelain tiles when you get efforessence its normally salts coming out of the substrate due to movement of water once the floor drys out completely the efforensense normally stops

no i wouldent use it on limestone lol but great on terracotta :Pete

[dock]

Gents

Efflorescence - soluble salts that crystalise on the surface of tiling/grout.

So in contact with water some will be washed away in the rinsing process but most will dissolve in the water and in solution the salts are colourless so will disappear. they reappear on drying.

Not sure what an organic acid does to the salts (white vinegar) maybe not much

Brick acid contains hydrochlric acid and can make the situation worse.

The only way to effectively remove salts by chemical means is to use a 10% solution, in water, of ethylenediaminetetraacid (EDTA). Scrub in the solution and leave for 10 - 15 minutes. Then wash the area with an excess of clean water. The most important part of the final clean is to rinse thoroughly with clean water. Once dry the grout colour should be restored.

This process worked when I visited a property in cambridge a few years back. The conservatory grout lines were supposed to be dark brown but were very in your face "white" - it restored the grout to its originnal colour

dock

[Dave]

I find this product spot on for removing efflorescence....

Lithofin Cement-Away
A very strong acid for the removal of stubborn cement residue, efflorescence and heavy builders dirt. For newly laid and older non-acid sensitive tiles such as porcelain, ceramic, quarry, terracotta, slate and sandstone tiles ............

And it can be bought from any branch of CTD.........

[TilingLogistics]

This is a very interesting post. I am going to compose an answer for this one when i get a minute this PM

Kev

[Branty]

Don't know about anyone else. But the anticipation is killing me. :grin: