StoneTech™ Restore™ Heavy-Duty Acidic Tile and Grout Cleaner
Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner can be used instead of Muriatic acid in most traditional applications including hard surface etching and cleaning, dissolving water insoluble salts including calcium carbonate, soap scum residues. Formulated with advanced cleaning technology that breaks down even the toughest stains. Removes efflorescence. Removes soap scum. Removes hard water spots. Removes grout residue and haze. Renews tile and grout. Ideal for use for in tile showers, unless marble, limestone or other acid-sensitive stone. Restore is a professional grade acidic cleaner that will keep tile showers looking new. Breaks down even the toughest mineral-based stains and deposits. Professional strength, acidic formula. Biodegradable. Highly concentrated degreasing cleaner. No hazardous vapors. Use on porcelain and glass. WILL ETCH MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, LIMESTONE and other acid-sensitive surfaces. May not be shipped by air! Restore Acidic Restoration Cleaner for Ceramic Tile and Grout from Bane-Clene® Corp. Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner is a highly concentrated, heavy duty acidic restoration cleaner that makes ceramic tile and grout look like new. Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner removes soap scum, hard water deposits, grout haze and efflorescence. Features and Benefits of StoneTech Restore: Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner can be used instead of Muriatic acid in most traditional applications including hard surface etching and cleaning, dissolving water insoluble salts including calcium carbonate, soap scum residues, efflorescence and other insolubles or calcium carbonate minerals and for cleaning or preparing hard surface masonry of all types of tile, grout, stonework and concrete. Formulated with advanced cleaning technology that breaks down even the toughest stains. For cleaning of ceramic tile, grout and masonry. Removes grout residue and haze. Renews tile and grout. Ideal for use for in tile showers, unless marble, limestone or other acid-sensitive stone. Restore is a professional grade acidic cleaner that will keep tile showers looking new. Removes soap scum. Breaks down even the toughest mineral-based stains and deposits. Professional strength, acidic formula. Biodegradable. Highly concentrated. Degreasing cleaner. Removes efflorescence. Removes soap scum. Removes hard water spots. No hazardous vapors. Use on porcelain and glass. Properties & Specifications: Restrictions on Use: Professional Use Only. Keep out of reach of children. Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner cannot be shipped by air because of its Acidic pH. Form: Clear, Colorless Liquid. Odor: Mild. Use pH: <1 to 2.8. Use Concentration: 8 - 64 ounces per gallon. Storage: Protect product from freezing. Keep container closed when not in use. Coverage: Approximately 2,000 to 8,000 sq. ft. per gallon depending on stone, porosity, texture of surface and method of application. Container Size: Single gallons. Manufacturer: StoneTech® / Laticrete® International. Country of Manufacture: United States of America. VOC content: 0%. Flammability: Non-flammable. NOTE: Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner cannot be shipped by air because of its Acidic pH. Recommended Surfaces: Grout Ceramic Tile Porcelain Tile Granite Slate Sandstone Brick Directions for Using Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner: WARNING: Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner WILL ETCH MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, LIMESTONE and other acid-sensitive surfaces. Will not etch or corrode MOST metal surfaces, but use with caution around metals and tape off all metals that may be contacted with Restore. Do not empty into your customer’s stainless steel sink! NOTE: If your customer’s floor is acid-sensitive, do not use Restore Tile and Grout Cleaner to clean and brighten the grout; instead, simply apply OSR (very hot), scrub and rinse after 1/2 hour. Test Restore Tile and Grout Cleaner in a small inconspicuous area to determine the effectiveness and desired results. Heavy duty mixture may darken some surfaces. Restore will etch most marble, travertine and limestone. Read entire label and Safety Data Sheet before using. Use only as directed. Use masking tape to protect other surfaces (metal, acid-sensitive stone, etc.) Make sure all surfaces to be cleaned are swept or vacuumed to remove loose debris. Make sure there are no topical waxes or sealers on surface. Dilute with warm water only. Do not mix with other chemicals. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas or metal surfaces and appliances to avoid splashing, dripping and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be cleaned. For heavily soiled grout, clean first with Klenz-All™ mixed with OSR or add the OSR separately. Apply mixed solution with a sprayer, scrub brush, clean mop towel or sponge. Do not spray Restore - aerosolized acidic particles will be irritating and may get onto surfaces that can be damaged. Scrub with a scrub brush, grout cleaning brush or floor machine as needed. Remove using a sponge, wet/dry vacuum or damp mop. Rinse area well with clean water Thoroughly rinse all metal surfaces with clean water. Clean and rinse equipment with water. To prevent future staining of grout, after complete drying, seal the grout with StoneTech Professional All Purpose Grout Sealer or Sta-Clene®. Restore Heavy-Duty Acid Tile and Grout Cleaner Application Rates: Light-duty cleaning: Mix 8 ounces per gallon of warm water (1:16). pH 2.8 Medium-duty cleaning: Mix 32 ounces per gallon of warm water (1:4). pH 1.6 Heavy-duty cleaning: Mix 64 ounces per gallon of warm water (1:1). pH less than 1. Maintenance of Stone, Tile and Grout Floors and Countertops: Routine Cleaning: Use StoneTech Revitalizer™. Heavy Duty Cleaning: Pre-clean with StoneTech Klenz-All™. Additional Stone, Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout Information: Dates for Training Classes for Cleaning Professionals Efflorescence Grout and Tile Hands-on Stone Class Porcelain Tile and Grout StoneTech™ Related Stone Care Videos: How to Clean and Protect Natural Stone with Revitalizer How to Clean Natural Stone, Marble, Granite, etc. How to Protect and Enhance Stone with Enhancer Pro™ from Bane-Clene® How to Protect and Seal Granite, Marble, Other Natural Stone with ImpregnatorPro™ How to Protect and Seal Grout with Grout Sealer from Bane-Clene® How to Protect and Seal Marble and Granite with Bullet Proof™ Sealer How to Protect and Seal Natural Stone like Marble, Limestone, Granite, Travertine Click the “Usage & Tips” tab above for article titled “Porcelain Tile: Cleaning, Maintenance, Protection and Sealing”. VIDEO: How to Clean Natural Stone, Marble, Granite, etc. How to use the StoneTech Professional products to safely and effectively clean all natural stone surfaces including marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate, etc. Usage & Tips Porcelain Tile: Cleaning, Maintenance, Protection and Sealing Most types of tiles that are made from clay or a mixture of clay and other materials and then kiln-fired, are considered to be a part of the larger classification called “Ceramic Tiles”. These tiles can be split into two groups, porcelain tiles and non-porcelain tiles. These non-porcelain tiles are frequently referred to as ceramic tiles by themselves, separate from porcelain tiles - confusing! Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are generally made from red or white clay fired in a kiln. They are almost always finished with a durable glaze, which carries the color and pattern. These tiles are used in both wall and floor applications. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are usually suitable for very light to moderate traffic and generally have a relatively high water absorption rating making them less frost resistant and they are more prone to wear and chipping than porcelain tiles. Porcelain tile is more scratch resistant than ceramic tile. Also, porcelain tile is fired at higher temperatures than ceramic, resulting in superior durability and stain resistance. Porcelain unglazed tile is generally made by the dust pressed method from porcelain clays which result in a tile that is dense, impervious, fine grained and smooth, with a sharply formed face. Porcelain tiles usually have a much lower water absorption rate (less than 0.5%) than non-porcelain ceramic tiles making them frost resistant. Full body porcelain tiles carry the color and pattern through the entire thickness of the tile making them virtually impervious to wear and are suitable for any application from residential to the highest traffic commercial or industrial applications. Because porcelain tile is fire-hardened and quite hard, it can be cleaned at pressures up to 1,450 PSI if the grout is in good condition. Porcelain unglazed tiles are similar to glazed tile, except that their surface is not coated. Full-body porcelain unglazed tiles do not show wear because their color extends throughout the tile, making them ideal for commercial applications. PEI classes range from 0 to 5. The Porcelain Enamel Institute rating scale is not a measurement of quality. It is a scale that clearly indicates the areas of use each manufacturer recommends and has designed their tile to fit. A PEI 2 tile has been designed for areas where very low traffic and soiling is anticipated. In most cases the aesthetic detailing of these tiles is of prime consideration. You will often find high gloss levels, vibrant colorations and metallic elements in this group of tile. Conversely, a PEI 5 tile has been designed for abusive extra heavy foot traffic: PEI Class 0 - No Foot Traffic: Wall tile only and should not be used on floors PEI Class 1 - Very light traffic: Very low foot traffic, bare or stocking feet only. (Master bath, spa bathroom). PEI Class 2 - Light Traffic: Slipper or soft-soled shoes. Second level main bathroom areas, bedrooms. PEI Class 3 - Light to Moderate Traffic: Any residential area with the possible exception of some entries and kitchens if extremely heavy or abrasive traffic is anticipated. PEI Class 4 - Moderate to Heavy Traffic: High foot traffic, areas where abrasive or outside dirt could be tracked. Residential entry, kitchen, balcony, and countertop. PEI Class 5 - Heavy Traffic: Ceramic tile suggested for residential, commercial and institutional floor subjected to heavy traffic. Sealing Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout Glazed tiles are coated with a liquid glass, which is then baked into the surface of the clay. The glaze provides an unlimited array of colors and designs as well as protects the tile from staining. A glazed tile is already stain proof, so there is no purpose to putting on a sealer. However, the grout joint between the tiles is usually very porous and generally made of a cement-based material. Therefore, grout joints typically will need to be sealed and maintained properly to prevent stains and discoloration. Impregnating sealers such as All Purpose Grout Sealer go into the grout joint and protect against water and oil-based stains. Most industry professionals recognize that grout is best protected with a polymer-based sealer, such as Impregnator Pro™ or All Purpose Grout Sealer. If the grout joint is epoxy, a sealer is not necessary. Unglazed porcelain tile should be protected with a penetrating sealer, such as Sta-Clene®, Bullet Proof™ or Impregnator Pro™, including the grout lines. The penetrating sealer is an invisible, stain resistant shield that is absorbed into the surface. Cementitious grout must be sealed to prevent or minimize staining. Leaving these surfaces unsealed may greatly hinder the ability to completely remove stains in the future. Allow new installations to cure for 72 hours prior to applying sealer. For a natural looking protector on interior surfaces (heavy duty protection, water and oil repellency): Sweep or vacuum all dust, dirt and debris. Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated. Ensure that the surface is clean, dry and residue-free. Liberally apply Grout Sealer to the grout using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, narrow roller or natural hairbrush, focusing on the grout joints. Allow sealer to completely penetrate into the grout, 5-15 minutes. Liberally apply a second coat of Grout Sealer following steps 4-5. Wipe up all sealer from the surface of the tile. Use a clean, dry, lint-free, cotton towel or mop to remove excess sealer. Or, go over the floor with a cotton bonnet on a low-speed buffer. If sealer was not completely wiped off and a residue appears, wipe entire surface with a towel dampened with sealer. Use a white, non-abrasive nylon brush or pad to loosen residue and follow with a clean, white absorbent towel to remove. A full cure is achieved after 24-48 hours; foot traffic may begin in 4 hours. Cover with red rosin paper, if foot traffic must resume before the recommended time periods have passed. Expected coverage is 600-1,000 sq. ft. per gallon based upon grout joint width. A 3-5 year re-application is needed for interior surfaces. Cleaning Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout Keeping ceramic, porcelain tile & grout free of dust and dry, sandy soil will minimize scratches, wear patterns and grout soiling that can develop from everyday use and traffic. Use walk-off mats to trap abrasive soil before it gets into the house or building. Sweep, dust or vacuum surfaces regularly to remove loose soil and dust. Clean the tile & grout using warm water and a clean nonabrasive cloth sponge or mop. Use a neutral cleaner such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer™ that is specially formulated for ceramic, porcelain tile & grout to help remove soils that sweeping, dusting, vacuuming or damp mopping leave behind. For extremely soiled tile, clean with Klenz-All™ heavy duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser. Do not use ordinary household cleaners, as you may degrade the sealer that was applied to the grout to protect against stains. Countertops and Vanities Use a ph-balanced cleaner such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer to keep surfaces clean from everyday soils and stains. Floor Surfaces Vacuum or dust frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit may scratch your tile or build-up on your grout joint leading to discoloration. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help minimize the potential damage from these particles. Damp mop your tile floor with a diluted solution of neutral cleaner such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer. Try to stay off the floor until it is completely dry, as wet tile floors may be slippery. Bath and Other Wet Areas For daily maintenance cleaning, use a neutral, ph-balanced cleaner such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer to clean everyday soils and stains. In the bath, or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can help minimize this build-up. Restoring Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout For cleaning and restoring old ceramic, porcelain tile and grout to like new condition, we recommend using an acidic cleaner such as Restore™ designed for this surface. This will remove tough soap scum, hard water deposits, grout haze and efflorescence. If you have heavy grease and oil stains, pre-clean using an alkaline cleaner formulated for ceramic and porcelain tile, such as KlenzAll heavy duty alkaline cleaner and degreaser. This will cut through tough grease and soil stains. After restoring your tile and grout, remember to seal with an impregnating sealer such as Bullet Proof or Impregnator Pro, including the grout lines.to guard against future stains. Grout Etching Ceramic and porcelain tile is usually impervious or highly resistant to staining. However, grout may be a different story. Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato-based products, mustard and many soft drinks will most likely leave an “etch,” a chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or mark. Properly sealing the grout will give you time to wipe up a spill to avoid staining, but it cannot prevent etching. In addition, ordinary household cleaners with colored dyes or those containing bleach, ammonia or abrasives are not recommended for ceramic, porcelain tile & grout. They may damage the surface and likely degrade the sealer that is applied to the grout, which provides stain protection. Food Spills Scoop up food with a plastic spoon. Blot with a dry white cloth. Spray the area with a neutral cleaner such as All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer and wipe off excess with a clean cloth. Liquid Spills Blot up the excess with a clean, dry cloth. Then clean the area with All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer and wipe off excess with a clean cloth. Mud Let the mud stain dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic nylon brush. Then clean the area with All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner or Revitalizer and wipe off excess with a clean cloth. Restorative Cleaning of Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout: Depending on the type of soil, stain or other foreign matter present, select one or more of the following options: For stripping off any existing topical acrylic, urethane, epoxy, heavy wax coatings and epoxy grout haze: Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris. For heavy, hard to remove coatings, use undiluted Heavy Duty Coating Stripper. For softer coatings, dilute Heavy Duty Coating Stripper with clean water up to a 1 to 1 solution. Apply an even coat using a chemical-resistant paintbrush, roller or deck brush. Allow stripper to dwell for 20 minutes to 2 hours or as long as needed to soften coating. Heavy Duty Coating Stripper will remain active for up to 24 hours Do not allow Heavy Duty Coating Stripper to remain in contact with epoxy grout joints for longer than two hours. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residues have been removed. For cleaning of grease, oil, dirt, dry soil and soap scum: Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing and overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated. Sweep or dust mop loose dirt and debris. Strip off all topical finishes such as waxes and coatings. Prepare a solution of KlenzAll mixed with warm or hot water as suggested below: (a) Medium Duty Usage - Mix 1 part KlenzAll to 4 parts of water. (b) Heavy Duty Usage - Mix 1 part KlenzAll to 2 parts of water. Apply KlenzAll using a low-pressure chemical-resistant sprayer, sponge or mop. Agitate well using a stiff nylon bristle scrub brush, stiff bristle push broom or a weighted floor machine at 130 lbs.-140 lbs., 175 rpm, fitted with a scrub brush attachment. Rinse well with clean water and mop, sponge or wet vacuum to remove the remaining cleaning solution. A hard surface extraction wand and portable or truck mounted extraction machine may be used. Repeat the rinsing and wet vacuum process to insure that all dirt, soil and cleaner residue have been removed. To remove deep or stubborn oil stains not completely removed by KlenzAll, let the surface dry and use Oil Stain Remover. Apply a ¼ inch thick coat of Oil Stain Remover to the oil stained area. Ensure that Oil Stain Remover covers an area 1” to 2” beyond the stained area for the purpose of containment. Allow 2-3 days for the Oil Stain Remover to dry to a powder. Sweep and wipe up dried powder and evaluate the stained area for removal. Repeat process if needed. Remove any remaining Oil Stain Remover using mineral spirits. What are the DON’Ts of Porcelain Tile? DON’T use top sealers such as floor finishes - those that become a coating over the tile and grout joints, are not recommended for porcelain tile. They will change the appearance of the tile by coating the surface and giving matte-finished tiles a shiny finish. When a particular type of tile is selected for the coefficient of friction values, the values can be changed by the application of the sealer. Rather than improving the ability to maintain the surface, top sealers will increase the maintenance requirement. Top-coating sealers will also show traffic patterns as the sealer becomes scratched or wears away. Some sealers may even peel off in spots. Problems most frequently encountered with the use of top-coating sealers on porcelain are: Wear patterns are easily developed over time. If the sealer has been applied to a floor which has not been properly cleaned, the floor will look hazy. If the sealer is improperly applied, it can turn to a milky-white color. Multiple coats of the top sealer can cause discoloration of the tile surface. When problems such as these occur, the sealer must be stripped from the tile and a new coat of sealer re- applied. This is a costly and unnecessarily repetitive procedure. Additional Stone, Ceramic and Porcelain Tile & Grout Information: Grout and Tile Mexican and Saltillo Tile StoneTech Videos on How to Maintain and Restore Stone, Marble, Limestone, Natural Stone Specifications pH <1 Coverage Approximately 2,000 to 8,000 sq. ft. per gallon depending on stone, porosity, texture of surface and method of application. Safety Data Sheets Link ST 61203 SDS (PDF)