How to Remove Acid Stains from Tiles

           Tiles are durable and can weather lots of ups and downs; therefore they happen to be the most cherished option when it comes to kitchen and bathroom flooring. However, acid stains from toilet cleaners or battery acids can badly damage your tiles.

           These acids have the tendency to penetrate through the porous finish of your tiles and consequently they leave behind a large ugly stain which blights the appearance of your flooring.

          Removing these stains can be tricky as they need to be treated in such a manner that the stain is pulled right out of the ceramic tile with the help of a strong cleaning agent and an absorbent material. However this doesn’t imply that getting rid of these aggravating acid stains is not possible.

          Given below is an array of effective house hold remedies which will help in the removal of acid stains from scratch and ensure that you end up with stain-free and clean tiles.

Method One (Using Baking Soda)

         Baking Soda is an effective absorbing agent and therefore it can go a long way in helping you to get rid of any acid stains from tiles.

Things that you will require:

·      Baking soda

·      Water

·      Clean cloth

·      10% ammonia

Steps that you need to take:

1.  There are two ways to deal with acid stains depending upon their intensity and how old they are. If the stain happens to be fresh, take a liberal amount of baking soda and sprinkle it all over the stain. On the other hand, if the stain happens to be old, then instead of sprinkling baking soda onto the stain, you can opt for a baking soda paste.

2.  To make this paste mix some baking soda powder with water and make sure that the consistency of this paste remains thick.

3.  Spread this paste onto the stain carefully so that it is satisfactorily covered.

4.  Let this paste sit on the acid stain for a while and afterwards wipe it off the surface with the help of a clean cloth.

5.  However, if the stain persists and refuses to come off despite this baking soda treatment, then take a little amount of 10% ammonia and use it on stained area.

6.  Since ammonia is also a base therefore it would react with the acid stain and consequently neutralize it.

7.  Eventually, rinse the previously stained area with clean water and wipe it dry.

Method Two (Using Phosphoric Acid Masonry Cleaner)

       The following method is pretty simple, yet effective and can particularly help you in getting rid of muriatic acid stains from your tiles.

Things that you will require:

·      Soft-bristled brush

·      Phosphoric acid masonry cleaner

·      Sponge/cloth

·      1 gallon of water

·      1 cup of ammonia

Steps that you need to take:

1.  First of all, you need to get hold of a phosphoric acid masonry cleaner.  Then take a soft-bristled brush, dip it into this cleaner and using this brush apply the said cleaner onto the acidic stain.

2.  Let the cleaner sit onto the stain for 10 to 15 seconds at the least and not more than one minute at the most.

3.  When you feel like the stain has started to disappear, wipe it off using a clean cloth or sponge.

4.  If the stain persists, then this step can also be repeated.

5.  Once you are done with this step and the stain has started to visibly fade away, mix 1 cup of ammonia in 1 gallon of water.

6.  Then, take a clean sponge, soak it in this ammonia mixture and use this sponge to thoroughly clean away any traces of the acid along with the cleaning agent.

7.  Finally, rinse with clean water.

Tips and Warnings

1.  Always wear protective gloves before embarking upon the removal of acid stains.

2.  Before applying any base (either baking soda or ammonia) onto the acidic stain, DONOT moisten the area with water, as water can again activate the acid.

3.  Do not panic if baking soda begins to bubble. This is only a consequence of the neutralization reaction taking place between acid and base.