How to acid wash tiles?

Hi, I can help you with how to clean tiles with acid. I have used muriatic acid to clean my tiled flooring a couple of times before. It gives good results. I will share the process below.

How to Clean Floor Tiles With Acid?

Here is the process to clean your floor with muriatic acid:

1. Fill a bucket of water and pour one cup of muriatic acid into the bucket. Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles before you do so. 

2. Remember to add acid to water. Do not add water to acid as it can lead to a chemical reaction, which can be harmful.

3. Take a paintbrush and apply the acid solution to the tiles. Don’t pour the liquid onto the floor or scrub it with a brush. Once you use the paintbrush, let the acid sit for a while and check for any reaction.

4. Don’t let the acid sit for more than a few minutes. Rinse off the acid from the tiles. Take water to clean the tiles well. Keep wearing the protective gear to avoid any injuries.

5. Mix ammonia into water. Dip a sponge or clean cloth into the solution and apply it to your flooring. 

6. After 2 minutes, you can rinse the tiles. Don’t use ammonia and muriatic acid often, as they can damage your tiles upon repetitive usage.

This is how to do acid wash for tiles. I hope this helps.

Hello Damini, I have used the method of acid wash for tiles in my bathroom a couple of times and can guide you through the process I use. For this, you’d need baking soda, hydrochloric acid, lukewarm water, a spray bottle, a scrubber and a mop. Let me take you through the cleaning steps now.

How to Do Acid Wash Cleaning on Tiles?

1. Before you start the process with acid, first remove the dust using a broom. Do the best you can and then move ahead.

2. After you’re done cleaning the dust off the tiles, mix a cup of HCl in five parts of lukewarm water. In case you’re using an industrial acid, check the usage guidelines and take the quantities of the acid and water accordingly. 

3. Use a spray bottle filled with water and spray a small area. After this, apply the acid solution only over this small watered area using a sponge or a mop gently. It is important to work your way in small areas to avoid damaging the tiles. 

4. Flush away the acid using water and then repeat the process for the other areas of the tiles. Make sure the surface is wet before adding the acid solution each time. 

5. Use a mop and a scrubber in circular motions over the tiles to remove accumulated dirt. 

6. Now, to stop the acid reaction, use water to remove the acid mixture. 

7. Then, mix a cup of baking soda into one bucket of lukewarm water. Mop the floor using this solution. 

8. Let it sit for some time, and then rinse the floor with water. 

9. Finally, let the surface dry completely for 1 day.

This is how to clean tiles with acid. I hope this helps!

Whether it is for the exterior or interior of your home, tiles are a versatile option that you can use in several ways. However, you must know that all tiles render useless if not cleaned properly. Thankfully, my mother taught me a simple process to acid wash tiles.

Muriatic acid, also referred to as Hydrochloric acid, is one of the strongest cleaners available to the average property owner. Yes, it is actually an acid, so you need to be careful while using it to prevent unwanted accidents.

• First, open windows and doors and turn on the exhaust fan where you’ll be working to ventilate the space. Don’t forget to wear a face mask, goggles, and gloves.

• Keep an open container of baking soda near you as this will neutralise the acid if it spills.

• Mix one gallon of water and one cup of ammonia in a bucket.

• Take another plastic bucket and fill it with 1/2 gallon of water.

• Add the acid to the water as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. In most cases, you will have to add half a cup of acid for every half a gallon of water. However, the exact measurements will depend on the acid’s strength. Most hydrochloric acid is diluted to about 31%. No matter the strength, you should always dilute the acid before use. To prevent damage, make sure you add the acid to the water and not add the water to acid

• Now, use this acid mixture to clean a small area first. Be careful to not spill the acid mixture on your clothing or skin. Wipe the area with the ammonia mixture to neutralise the cleaned tiles. Rinse the area properly with water. Repeat this step on the remaining tiles, working a small section at a time.

This is how to acid wash tile floor.

Read more:

I hope I cleared all your doubts on how to acid wash tiles.