• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
go to homepage

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

go to homepage

How To Clean Stuff.net

Search by
Category
  • Cleaning Blog
  • Automotive
  • Bathroom Appliances and Fixtures
  • Carpets and Rugs
  • Cats
  • Closets and Organization
  • Dogs
  • Electronics
  • Fabrics
  • Floor & Carpet
  • Floors
  • Food
  • Furniture
  • General Housecleaning
  • House
  • Household Appliances and Fixtures
  • Jewelry
  • Kitchen Appliances and Fixtures
  • Kitchen and Bathroom Surfaces
  • Kitchenware
  • Metals
  • Outdoors
  • Other Pets, Animals and Pests
  • People
  • Stain Removal
  • Stuff
  • Surfaces
  • Things You Own
  • Tools and Techniques
  • Walls and Ceilings
  • Windows
  • Everything Else
  • Ask us your cleaning question

Home / Cleaning Guides / Floor & Carpet / Floors / How to Remove Methylated Spirits (Denatured Alcohol) from Terracotta Tiles

How to Remove Methylated Spirits (Denatured Alcohol) from Terracotta Tiles

Table of Contents:
  1. You Will Need
  2. Steps to Remove the Methylated Spirits
  3. Additional Tips and Ideas

June asked: I have spilt some on the sealed and recently polished terracotta tiles. I can’t clean it off properly. It has gone very white. I don’t know what to use. I have scraped off a little with a blunt knife so not to scratch, but most of it is still on. Can you help please?

In this case, the methylated spirits, otherwise known as denatured alcohol, has most likely come into contact with the sealant on the tiles and a chemical reaction has occurred. It has started to break down/damage the seal on the tiles, which is what is causing the white discoloration. The only way to remove it is to strip the damaged sealant (which will include the methylated spirits) and reseal. Here are the steps to work through this process:

You Will Need:

  • Cleaning oil (ex: mineral spirits or white spirits)
  • Soft cloths
  • Tile sealant
  • Tile polish
  • Mild soap or tile cleaner
  • Water

Steps to Remove the Methylated Spirits:

  1. Begin by wiping down the stained area to remove any dirt and dust.
  2. Apply the mineral spirits, otherwise known as white spirits using a soft cloth and rub in a circular motion.
  3. Remove immediately by wiping off with a clean cloth.
  4. This should remove the white residue and will also remove any remaining glaze/sealant on the tiles.
  5. Wash the cleaned tiles with a mild soap or tile cleaner and warm water to remove any remaining spirits.
  6. Allow the tiles to dry completely before preparing to reseal.
  7. If any of the white remains, repeat on those areas to remove.
  8. When the tiles have had a chance to dry completely, it is time to reseal and polish them.
  9. Apply a sealant using the manufacturer’s directions on the packaging.
  10. When the sealant is set, apply the polish using the manufacturer’s directions.
  11. When all steps are completed, the tiles should be back to their original color and shine.

Additional Tips and Ideas

  • There are several names for methylated spirits, all depending on which region of the world you are from. In the UK, Australia and New Zealand it is called metho or methylated spirits. In the United States and Canada it is known as denatured alcohol, fondue fuel or methyl hydrate (pure methanol). In Europe it is known as spirits.
  • Methylated spirits and mineral spirits are NOT the same product. Mineral spirits is a paint thinner.
  • Avoid using abrasives to when applying the mineral spirits as it can damage the surface of the tiles.
  • If you are unsure about completing this process yourself, consider having a professional strip and reseal the tiles.

Cleaning Guides, Floors

Was This Guide Helpful?

+4
-1
Rating: 80%. From 5 votes.
Please wait...

Related Posts

  • How to Remove Methylated Spirits from Wood
  • How to Remove Spilled Methylated Spirits from Black Concrete
  • How to Remove Alcohol Stains from Wood
  • How to Remove Rubbing Alcohol Stains
  • How to Remove Plaster from Floor Tiles
  • How to Remove Alcohol Stains from Silk

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, conse ctetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit sed diam.


Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

About the Author

Avatar photo

Susan

I'm a stay-at-home mom who used to run a small housecleaning business. These days I consider myself more or a mad cleaning-scientist. I do most of the testing for our articles - as well as helping Mark & Melanie write them.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Helpful comments include feedback on the recipe or changes you made.

show comments +

Comments

  1. Jane says

    July 6, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    Our sealed slate floor was contaminated with a sunblock spray and became so sticky, top layers of the slate were coming off under foot. It was cleaned with Varsol and washed afterward with soap and water.
    Before re-sealing it, should I use another cleaner?
    Thanks,
    Jane

    Reply
  2. Pete says

    June 8, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    I spilt metho on black tiles.
    Fireplace tiles.

    It left a white wash stain.
    Spent hours with steel wool, vinegar, lavender oil, salt and baking soda.
    Scrubbed hard.
    Stacks of coal came off and the white wash slowly budged.
    Got most of it off now, but the tiles are well clean lol!

    I think the tiles will cover over in black again… from the smoke.

    Reply
  3. Bob says

    October 1, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    Followed this procedure after dropping a bottle of methylated spirits on our black slate floor. Had a large white stain. The mineral spirits (mineral turpentine) worked and rubbing in circles helps. Be persistent, it does come off. The sealed layer comes off as explained and needs a reseal, and returns to normal colour.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Featured Guides

How to Clean a Hairbrush

How to Clean a Microwave Oven With ZERO Chemicals

How to Clean Every Dental Retainer

How to Clean your Macbook’s Screen

Join our mailing list.
Be the first to know about new arrivals, sales, and special events.
Thank you for subscribing!

Footer

Browse by Category

  • Automotive
  • Clothing & Fabrics
  • Floors & Carpets
  • Housecleaning
  • Kitchen & Bath
  • Outdoors
  • People & Pets
  • Household Stuff

Contact

  • Ask Us Your Cleaning Questions
  • Contact Form

Follow us on Social Media

Site Information

  • Cookie Policy
  • Guest Post Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • XML Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · HowToCleanStuff.net · All Rights Reserved · Website by Anchored Design