How to remove silicone from tiles
Cleaning tiles is essential to keep them in good condition. Stains that may appear on its surface, especially from sealants such as silicone, must be removed so that they shine as if they were freshly installed. An excessive application of silicone to ensure the correct sealing of the tiles or specific situations in which it is necessary to change them make correct cleaning necessary.
In addition to cleaning it, it is also important to know how to remove silicone from tiles. These eventual excesses of sealant require their removal so that the surface is pristine and can be kept free of traces of dirt. Likewise, the old silicone must be removed to replace it with a new one, especially if it is the silicone on the shower tiles or places where there is usually moisture. If you want to know how to remove silicone from a smooth surface such as tiles, the best products to achieve this and more details about the methods, at FoxWiki we recommend that you continue reading this article.
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How to remove silicone from tiles with acetone
¿How to remove old or dried silicone of tiles or smooth surfaces? The truth is that although the use of a sharp object, such as a blade, is sometimes of great help to remove silicone from smooth surfaces, some require very careful treatment to avoid being damaged. To prevent your tiles from being marked by a sharp or pointed object, you can use acetone because it is a product that will help you remove old or dried silicone. If you want to know how to remove silicone residue from tiles with acetone follow these steps:
- To remove the old or dried surface layer of silicone, use a spatula being careful not to damage the surface of the tiles.
- After removing this first layer, remove the patina with the spatula, which is a thinner layer and difficult to remove because it adheres more strongly to the surface.
- Before using acetone, ventilate the room you are in and put on gloves. The intense smell of the product makes proper ventilation convenient.
- Pour the acetone onto a cloth and rub it into the silicone residue until it disappears.
- Wait 10 minutes for the product to finish working and wipe with a sponge in circles to remove any remaining silicone. Try not to scratch the tiles, so at FoxWiki we recommend that you make circular movements with the sponge.
- Wash the area you have previously worked on with a little soap and water and when finished, rinse it with a cloth or sponge with just water.
Here you can learn about How to clean tiles.
Use ether to remove silicone from tiles
By following these simple steps you will learn how to remove silicone from bathroom or kitchen tiles with ether and acetone:
- Dilute acetone and ether. Use the same amount of both products, that is, in a container add 50% acetone and 50% ether and stir.
- In the resulting mixture, moisten a cloth and rub the tiles where there is dirt and silicone residue.
- To rub most effectively, do it gently first and gradually increase the intensity. Thus, the silicone will be removed automatically upon contact with the liquid mixture.
- Observe the condition of the tiles throughout the process because acetone is especially aggressive on some surfaces, and can damage certain materials as well as removing shine and color.
- Clean the surface with the detergent you usually have for tiles and they will shine again.
Remove silicone from tiles with solvent
Another product with which you will know how to remove silicone from bathroom or kitchen tiles It is the solvent. To achieve this, you simply have to follow these steps:
- Remove as much of the silicone as possible with a putty knife, being careful not to scratch the surface as you scrape.
- Open a window to have the area ventilated.
- Apply a specific solvent for silicones on the remains left on the tiles. Test on a small area first to make sure the surface color is not lost.
- Use a sponge to remove the silicone, which will be softened by the previously applied solvent.
- Finally, soak a towel with soap and water and wipe it over the tiles to clean them.
How to remove silicone from tiles with alcohol
Ethyl alcohol is also effective for remove silicone residue from tiles. It is a simple and economical method with which you can clean this surface.
- Remove the most superficial remains of silicone with a spatula or scraper.
- To remove thinner layers, continue using the spatula but be more careful as this increases the risk of scratching the surface.
- Ventilate the room and put on gloves before applying the alcohol to avoid the intense smell it gives off.
- Dip a cloth in alcohol and rub the tiles, paying special attention to areas with silicone residue.
- After waiting 10 minutes for the alcohol to act, wipe the surface again with a sponge or clean cloth to permanently remove the silicone.
- Use the usual detergent or soap you have to clean the tiles and finish the process.
How to clean silicone from tiles
In certain contexts it is important to know how to clean silicone mold from tiles because the objective is not to remove it, but to get rid of the accumulated dirt and mold that is harmful to our health. This unpleasant mold usually appears in bathrooms due to the humidity generated daily in the shower. At FoxWiki we give you the following tips with which you will know how to clean the silicone in the shower or the tiles in other parts that have become blackened:
- Rubbing a cloth wet with bleach over the surface will allow you to clean the silicone without having to remove or peel it off.
- To remove dirt from the silicone strips, you can also apply alcohol or ether in a very small amount on this part of the affected tiles.
- If the mold is very embedded due to not having acted in time, choose to change the silicone and put one specific for humid areas such as bathrooms.
Now that you know how to clean the black silicone from the tiles, in addition to already knowing several methods on how to remove silicone from the tiles, we recommend this other FoxWiki article on Tips for cleaning silicone and remove it when necessary and, thus, eliminate all dirt and prevent mold from appearing. Also, if you have problems with mold, you can take a look at this other post on How to remove mold from the shower in which you will see more tips for this.
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