How to Get Rid of the Efflorescence on the Grout Between Bricks

Efflorescence can be an ugly sight on brick surfaces. This crystallized substance can form on the grout in between bricks and create a white, chalk-like buildup around the bricks. How you clean it off depends on how serious the buildup is. You also need to wait for the film to settle before you can clean it; the time varies depending on the buildup, but you'll need at least three days.

Sponge
Water
Nylon brush
Nylon scrub pad
Haze remover
Tile/grout cleaner

Instructions

- 1
  Dip a sponge in clean water, let the excess water drip away, then lightly moisten the grout to soften the efflorescence. Soaking the grout with water is not necessary.
- 2
  Scrub the grout with a stiff nylon brush or a nylon scrub pad to try and remove any light/mild layer of film on the grout.
- 3
  Apply a haze remover and scrub some more if the haze is too much to remove with the water alone. Make sure you get a compound that will work with efflorescence, and read all application instructions.
- 4
  Apply a strong, phosphoric acid-based grout cleaner if you still have problems with the haze. This should only be used in extreme cases of efflorescence that have been present on the grout for at least three weeks.
- 5
  Rinse off all of the grout with another application of clean water and the sponge. The amount of water shouldn't matter here since the purpose is to remove all of the cleaning solution(s).

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