After you apply grout to your tile with the float, there will be a “haze” on the surface of the tile that must be cleaned off.

Why is the grout haze there in the first place?

Because of the way grout is applied to tile.  Grout is sort of glopped onto the surface of the tile and then mushed into the seams between the tiles with your rubber float tool.

Wait.  Isn’t grout abrasive?  Why doesn’t grout damage the surface of glossy tile?

It most certainly can.  If you were to spread grout across your glossy or semi-glossy tiles enough times, you would abrade the surface.

What’s the first step in grout haze cleaning?

First, you wipe off the “big junk” with a wet sponge.  Use a big enough sponge.  Otherwise it will be nearly impossible to wipe the grout off.  Next you completely clean off the sponge or get a new sponge and wipe down the tile once more.  But that will not completely do the trick.  That is where grout haze cleaning comes in.

Why can’t you get the grout haze off with a wet sponge?

I don’t know the exact chemistry behind us.  But believe me, no matter how many times you bring out your spine which and no matter how clean the sponge, you cannot remove this grout haze by sponge alone.  It is like a white efflorescence.

So what is the trick to grout haze cleaning?

You need to buy a special grout haze cleaner.  Don’t confuse this with grout cleaner.  Grout cleaner is something completely different and is applied to your grouts only after your grout has gotten dirty over a number of years.  Some DIY forums recommend a number of B.S. solutions, such as using a 3M pad, mixing up vinegar and water, using muriatic acid, etc., etc.  But given the cheapness of authentic grout haze cleaner, found at practically any hardware store, Lowe’s, Home Depot, or wherever, might as well get the real stuff.

Mapei Corporation supplies materials and equipment for the tiling industry.

Mapei offers grout products called OptiColor, Ultracolor, and Ultracolor Plus. These grouts and others have certain colors that are found in retail locations (Home Depot, etc.)

Q: Does Mapei have grout coloration stains?

No. OptiColor itself comes in what Mapei calls “36 designer colors.” But Mapei offers no separate grout coloration system.

Mapei Grout Color Chart

Q: What Mapei grout colors are there?

If you’re looking for something exciting and unconventional, sorry suckas – you won’t find it at Mapei. Mapei’s offerings are fairly normal (read: bland).

But it should be noted that it’s difficult to formulate a really brilliant grout color.  Most of the Mapei grout colors are fairly muted and earthen-toned.

Here are Mapei’s grout colors (take a deep breath now):  White, Bone, Cayenne, French Vanilla, Ivory, Terra Cotta, Biscuit, Straw, Gray, Pear, Alabaster, Warm Gray, silver, Harvest, Avalanche, Waterfall, Summer Tan, Lilac Green Tea, Irish Cream, Blue Oyster, Pewter, Sand, Magnolia, Sahara Beige, Malt Slate Gray, Chamois, Navajo Brown, charcoal, Camel, Pale Umber, Black, Mocha, and Cinnamon Spice.

Q: Where can I get more information about Mapei grout color choices?

I have found the Mapei Corporation website to be horribly unhelpful.  The Mapei grout color chart is duplicated right above.  But you’re welcome to take your chances.   The Mapei grout color chart is found here.