Debbie said, “I have had porcelain tiles laid in my en-suite. Within a day they were showing smeary marks where they had gotten wet from the shower. I was devastated until my tiler husband told me that there is a wax coating on them and that he hadn’t cleaned it off yet! I got some wax remover from the tile shop and it took me a couple of hours (and two goes at it) to remove the wax and then I sealed them. They’ve looked great ever since. The only problem I’ve got is that I put a purple candle on the window ledge and now it has left a stain. Tried vinegar and water to get it off, but no joy. Any ideas?”
Dye stains can get on tile from a variety of substances, such as from candle wax or a wet shirt. Often times a dye stain is tough to remove from any surface, but it isn’t impossible; keep at it and the stain will usually surrender eventually. Use the steps below to remove the stains, repeating each step or trying a new step until the stain is gone.¹
Removing the Stain
You Will Need:
- A cloth
- Rubbing alcohol
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Methylated spirits
- Paint thinner
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- Dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe the alcohol onto the stain. Use a soft cloth wet with plain water to rinse the area.²
- Wipe the stain with hydrogen peroxide, then use a wet cloth to rinse.³
- If peroxide alone doesn’t work, try combining it with baking soda. Spread a small amount of baking soda over the stain. Put the peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it onto the baking soda. Let the ingredients fizz and sit for 10-15 minutes, then wipe up the area with a damp cloth.⁴
- Methylated spirits can also be used to remove some dye stains. Wipe a small amount of the stain, let it sit for a minute, then use a cloth wet with plain water to wipe the area clean.⁵
- Paint thinner or mineral spirits can also be effective on some dye stains. Wipe a small amount on the stain, let it sit for a minute, then use a cloth wet with plain water to wipe the area clean.⁶
Additional Tips and Advice
- Although tile can tolerate most types of chemical cleaners, it is best not to use anything abrasive, particularly for porcelain tile. Stay away from harsh scrub sponges and abrasive powder cleaners.¹
- It is best to use cool water when treating a dye stain, as heat can cause some dye stains to become more difficult to remove.⁷
Sources
- Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible
- Field Guide to Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner & Nancy Armstrong
- The Cleaning Encyclopedia by Don Aslett
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Cleaning by Mary Findley and Linda Formichelli
- Stain Removal by Stephanie Zia
- Haley’s Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley
- The Queen of Clean’s Complete Cleaning Guide by Linda Cobb
How can I remove gentian violet from ceramic tiles, porous?
Christina,
If the above tips don’t work, you may need a poultice to pull the dye out of the pores. To do that, select one of the cleaning liquids from the list above and mix a little with some baking soda to make a thick paste (about the consistency of toothpaste or peanut butter). Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit until dry, then sweep up the powder. Isopropyl alcohol or methylated spirits would be the best first-try pick. You can repeat the processs as many times as needed, or cover the poultice with plastic wrap to hold in the moisture for longer. If you don’t have baking soda, paper towels soaked with the cleaner and pressed on the stain can work as well. Good luck!