How To Scrub Silicone Sealant From Tiles: Wash, Rinse And Remove From The Surface, How To Clean Or Remove, How To Remove From Tiles

Table of contents:

How To Scrub Silicone Sealant From Tiles: Wash, Rinse And Remove From The Surface, How To Clean Or Remove, How To Remove From Tiles
How To Scrub Silicone Sealant From Tiles: Wash, Rinse And Remove From The Surface, How To Clean Or Remove, How To Remove From Tiles

Video: How To Scrub Silicone Sealant From Tiles: Wash, Rinse And Remove From The Surface, How To Clean Or Remove, How To Remove From Tiles

Video: How To Scrub Silicone Sealant From Tiles: Wash, Rinse And Remove From The Surface, How To Clean Or Remove, How To Remove From Tiles
Video: How To Easily Remove Silicone Caulk 2024, March
Anonim

Often, after repairs, you have to get rid of various stains. For example, a small amount of sealant may remain on the tiles, which after drying is not so easy to wipe off. This article will tell you how to properly wash the sealant from the tile without damaging its surface.

Image
Image

Mechanical cleaning methods

Silicone sealant has become incredibly popular lately. It is often used in various construction jobs. In particular, this means is used to seal the seams during the laying of the tiles. This often causes the mixture to come to the surface.

If the stains are fresh, they can be easily washed off with plain water and a sponge. You can also use a soapy solution to soften the sealant, making it easier to clean. However, if the sealant is already cured, it can be very difficult to wipe it off.

The first thing that comes to mind in this situation is to mechanically clean the surface. This option is perfectly acceptable. The main thing is to act correctly so as not to damage the surface of the finishing material.

Image
Image

You will need one of the following tools to remove any sealant residue from your tile: a utility knife, putty knife, or safety razor. You can also use regular salt, which can be found in every kitchen. Using one of the selected tools, it is recommended to gently scrape off the cured silicone from the surface. This must be done very carefully, otherwise you can damage not only the tiles, but also your hands.

The easiest way to remove sealant residues is with a utility knife. This way you can easily remove a thick layer of hardened substance. Then, to completely remove it, an abrasive should be used. It is recommended to use regular salt as such a remedy. The salt will help soften and scrub the hardened compound, after which you can remove it with a plastic or silicone scraper.

Image
Image

In this case, salt should be used correctly. You need to place it in a small canvas bag or wrap it in a rag slightly dampened with water. Only then can the surface be wiped off. This way, large salt particles will not leave noticeable scratches on the surface.

If you decide to use a blade, extreme care is required here. Using a blade, you will need to draw a line at the level of the seam so that the silicone can be easier to remove.

If you do not like mechanical cleaning methods for some reason, you can chemically dispose of the excess of this mixture.

Image
Image

Chemical cleaning methods

Before proceeding with cleaning with the chemical method, it is recommended to remember some simple safety rules.

  • Firstly, the room must be well ventilated, since the smell of any of the products can harm the human body and even lead to toxic poisoning.
  • Second, don't neglect gloves. It is imperative to protect your hands, as even small drops of the product can seriously damage delicate skin. In addition, it is worth taking care of the presence of a respirator. You should not breathe in vapors of this or that liquid during work. This can be hazardous to health.
  • Thirdly, no matter what solvent you choose, remember that you need to work as quickly as possible, otherwise the tool can spoil the appearance of the surface.
Image
Image

To clean the sealant from the surface without damaging the tiles, you can use a special agent designed to dissolve the silicone. However, you can choose a more budgetary option - the most common acetone. It will be enough to moisten a cotton pad in acetone and gently “walk” it over the surface that needs cleaning. After a while, the silicone will soften and you can remove it effortlessly.

When working with acetone, it is worth remembering the precautions … If liquid gets on the surface of the tile, it can seriously damage the enamel. The tiles can become covered with an unpleasant matte film that you cannot get rid of. In addition, if there is too much acetone, the seams, carefully sealed with silicone, may lose their tightness.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Gasoline or kerosene can also be used as a solvent. Here, too, no special skills are required. Apply gasoline to a cotton ball or cotton swab to avoid getting any liquid onto the surface of the tile itself. Then you need to thoroughly wipe the contaminated area until the silicone softens. Then the substance must be cleaned off with a scraper.

The scraper should be plastic or wooden, as iron objects can scratch the surface.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Unusual cleaning methods

Some resourceful people independently come up with various ways with which you can clean this or that surface. Such methods can be called "folk", because they have been tested in practice.

Cured silicone can be removed from the ceramic surface using dichlorvos. It will be enough to spray it on the area that requires cleaning, leave it for a couple of minutes, and then remove it with a sponge.

The main thing is not to forget about the safety rules mentioned above.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Vinegar, which is essential for summer salads, can also help deal with this problem. In general, vinegar has long earned the title of the best home purifier, as it is able to cope with a variety of contaminants. So, apply vinegar to a cotton ball and scrub the problem area. After a few minutes, the silicone will soften and you can easily peel it off. Finally, wipe the tile with a dry cloth.

It is important to remember that ordinary table vinegar will not work as it has a low concentration of active ingredient. Take acetic acid, making sure you have seventy percent liquid in front of you. Only with its help it will be possible to clean the surface.

Small silicone stains can be easily removed with nail polish remover, which almost every woman has. The cleaning process with this tool is no different from the above.

One has only to take into account that this tool will not be able to remove old dirt.

Image
Image
Image
Image

Tips & Tricks

In conclusion, it is worth giving some useful recommendations to everyone who plans to make repairs in the near future and is going to use a silicone sealant.

  • During work, try to prevent the appearance of dirt (contact of silicone on the surface of the tile). As soon as the product is outside the seam, immediately wipe off the remnants with a sponge.
  • Before starting work, it is worth securing the surface of the tile. This can be done using ordinary masking tape, which can be easily removed afterwards and does not leave marks. Cover the tile with masking tape so that only the seams remain open.
  • Before starting cleaning using chemical methods, it is worth testing the action of the product on a small area of the tile in a less noticeable place. A tile shard left after repair is also suitable for this purpose. This will ensure that the product will not damage the surface or ruin the enamel.
  • Tiles that have been installed with sealant may have a porous surface. It will be much more difficult to remove the remnants of the product from such a material, especially since such surfaces do not have an enamel coating. In this case, you will have to remove the sealant in several stages, carefully treating each hole with a cotton swab and the selected product.
  • Removing the old sealant often leaves stains that can be removed with a regular dishwashing detergent. The product you usually use to clean your windows is also fine.
Image
Image
Image
Image
  • If you accidentally get sealant on your hands during repairs, dip them in warm saline solution and then scrub with a sponge. You can also remove the silicone from your hands with slightly heated vegetable oil.
  • If the grouting agent gets on your clothes, it is best to dispose of it before it hardens. This is easy to do. It is enough just to pick up the composition at one corner and the stain will completely come off the clothes. If the dirt is frozen, place the clothes in the freezer for several hours. You can also soak the item in the vinegar solution for half an hour. The sealant can then be easily removed.
  • It is important to remember that any solvent works best in rooms with low humidity. If the room is humid, then the remedy will last much longer.
Image
Image

You can learn how and how to clean silicone sealant from tiles, plastic or fabrics from the following video.

Recommended: