Ceramic Tile Cleaner

[lujanit]

Our home in Taling Chan has started to dry out a bit although there is no water in the house now the garden is still flooded. I have started cleaning downstairs and the ceramic tiles are stained with what I think is tannin from the plant material which was flooded. I have searched the net and tried most of the suggestions such as vinegar, citric acid, chlorine etc. Nothing is removing the stain except a scourer and a lot of elbow grease and even then the tiles don't come completely clean. I have a pressure washer and that only removes the surface dirt.

Does anyone know of another method? I was thinking hydrochloric acid diluted down 10:1. I have a lot of experience with chemicals and know how dangerous HCl is. Has anyone have any experience or knowledge they would share with me please?

TIA

[Semper]

How about toilet/wc cleaner.

[impulse]

Judging that you've already tried some types of acid, have you considered trying a solvent like paint thinner or lacquer thinner?

I'm not anywhere near certain it will work, but if chlorine bleach, acetic acid and citric acid don't work, it's worth a shot. You may also want to try alcohol (methanol or ethanol are good mutual solvents)

I'm a big believer in Clorox (chlorine bleach), muriatic pool acid (34% HCl that you dilute) and lacquer and paint thinner (mineral spirits). I also like to keep some methanol or ethanol around. Between those choices, I can usually find one that will cut the stain and allow a simple wipe with minimum elbow grease.

By the way, they're all crazy hazardous so be careful.

Good luck!

Edited November 28, 2011 by impulse

[dddave]

I remember using a cleaner called TSP for really tough jobs some years ago. I believe it was also sold under the trade name: "Spic 'N Span" I have no idea if it is available here but an industrial supply shop would be the place to check.

[lujanit]

Thanks folks for the replies

I went to HomeWorks and found a product called HG cement grout film remover. I did a test on one tile with no dilution and it removed the stain within a few minutes. I just looked up the product info on the manufacturers website and it says that the pH is ~1 so my guess is that it is a pretty concentrated form of hydrochloric acid.

The website also mentions another product (HG cement, mortar and efflorescence remover, and available at HomeWorks too) with a pH of less than 1 so my guess that should work as well.

Tomorrow I will try diluting at 4:1 as suggested on the container. Hopefully that will do the job.