TileWise Cartoons
Choose the Right Acid to Clean Tiles Safely
About Choose the Right Acid to Clean Tiles Safely
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Cleaning tile surfaces isn’t just about elbow grease it’s also about using the right cleaning agents. One common mistake in tile maintenance is using harsh acids like muriatic acid on delicate surfaces. While effective for some industrial uses, muriatic acid can be far too aggressive on unglazed ceramic tile, causing etching, surface damage, or even discoloration.
For unglazed ceramic tiles, sulfamic acid is the safer choice. It’s strong enough to remove stubborn residues like grout haze or mineral deposits, yet gentle enough to protect the tile surface when used properly. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and safety precautions when working with any acid cleaner.
When in doubt, go for the safer option because no amount of scrubbing should leave you with more damage than dirt.
Note that acidic cleaners are used primarly for removing cementitious hazes from the tile surface after grouting, and are not suitable or effective to remove organic materials such as oil or polymer residuals. So make sure to use the appropriate cleaner for the intended situation. The safest option is purchase premixed cleaners that have been manufactured specifically for removing the respective residual from the respective ceramic tile or stone surface.
Created by: Vince Moiso and Donato Pompo
About the Tilewise Cartoons
TileWise cartoons were developed under Donato Pompo's leadership for Club '84 (Ceramic Tile Action Group). Club '84 was a non-profit organization of accomplished individuals from all segments of the ceramic tile industry. The group's mission was to develop and distribute educational aids to educate, train and bring quality awareness to the distributors, specifiers, installers, and consumers of Ceramic Tile.
The TileWise cartoons were created to communicate issuses and concerns in the business of using ceramic tile for all segments of the industry. The objective was to educate to promote the quality use of ceramic tile. In each cartoon the screen exaggerates what you shouldn't do or emphasizes an issue or concern, then George the Bucket (named after CTI founder George Lavenberg) says what is correct. The cartoons ran for twelve years in each issue of the Tile Industry News, a major industry publication, published by the Ceramic Tile Institute until 1999 when it ceased.
Use these cartoons to educate your customers and employees to help avoid potential problems, and to promote a positive image of your company through newsletters, posters or mailings.
We hope you can put these cartoons to good use to help your industry and your business, and we know you will certainly benefit from them if you do. Good Luck!
The TileWise Cartoons will be displayed and available for your use. Restricted to limited single use. Randy’s cherished wife, Suzanne, is working hard to care for their precious sons, Rudie and Remie. Randy’s sudden illness left them with limited resources. If you can benefit from the use of the TileWise Cartoons, and if you can afford it, a donation to Randy's family would be very much appreciated. Please see form below to pledge whatever amount you would like to donate.
Right click the cartoon of your choice (Restricted to limited single use) and do a "Save Picture As..." to your hardrive.
(over 50 TileWise cartoons for your pleasure, and to use to educate your customers and employees)
Please take the time to learn about Randy.