Grout on tiles

[Candyred]

We've just had our bathroom tiled and the "tiler" has spread the grout over all the tiles!! Can anyone suggest a good way of getting it off. I've been using my thumb nail to get into the grooves on the tiles (they are like a mosaic affect) I've also tried a rough sponge, an old plastic store card and soap and water but it's really time taking. Sick of looking at the mess. Any suggestion would help.

[dustypuss]

Very hot water as hot as you can stand and a brillo pad but dont rub to hard

[dustypuss]

Ps sack the tiler . :-)

[Candyred]

Thanks Dustypuss but I think I'd be a bit frightened to use a brillo pad because the tiles are really shiney underneath the grout. Don't worry the tiler won't get in here again!!

[Old_Geezer]

I think you are already doing what I would try. Those washing up pads with a, nylon is it ? scourer on one side may be an option too. Tile glaze is fairly hardly. Not wishing to encourage too hard a scrub but I'd suspect they could stand up to a wallpaper scraper or filler knife. At your own risk, might be worth a try. Or check the local DIY shed to see if they sell grout removal chemicals.

[Ratty2E]

Try using a plastic scourer the sort that is safe on non stick with hot water as well as a nail brush to get into the tricky bits. Be careful not to scrub out the grout between the tiles though.

[bazwillrun]

Get him back and tell him to do the job properly

[Candyred]

Thanks very much folks, I'll try those pan scrubs aaahh!!. I'll just try in an inconspicuous corner first. Don't think I could stand him in the house Bazwillrun. It was a nightmare!!

[TonyV]

anything easy that will dissolve the grout ie brick cleaner (diluted acid) might take grout out between tiles as well. But if it's not been done to well it's up to you - how many square metres have you got to do?

[Candyred]

About 29 square metres Tonyv

[The Builder]

I'm afraid I can't offer any more than what the others have said. Good old-fashioned scraping I guess.
I just wanted to offer my sympathies. Do these people crawl out from under a rock or something? I guess you've already paid him?

[AlBags]

That dried powder does stick well.
Buff off with cotton cloth.

[boxtops]

Make sure you wet the grout well before you start scrubbing - I had this when I let the grout dry before tidying it up, it took ages, I used a fine scraper and some of those scrub bud wire ball things (not brillo).

[Philtaz]

When were they grouted? I'd leave it 24 hrs, then most of it should come off with nothing more than a damp sponge.

[AlBags]

Unfortunately, cured grout is not like dried toothpaste. It takes a lot to remove it. Bad if left to dry on riven/textured tiles.

[Philtaz]

Yes, once the grout INBETWEEN the tiles has 'gone off', the grout ON the tiles usually comes of with a damp sponge and a bit of elbow grease.