Cement grout used in ceramic floors may take several days to dry completely after installation and will continue to cure for approximately two weeks, according to the book, "Linings: Step by step" from Better homes and Gardens. Grout is hardened during this two week period and become much harder to remove so excess grout should be removed from the tiles as soon as possible after installation is complete.
Instructions
1 Clean the excess grout from the ceramic tile surface gently with a damp sponge during the injection process to reduce the amount of grout excess on the tiles.
2 cut a piece of 1/4 inch wood 3/8-inch thick into a rectangle with sharp, square edges that measure about one foot long and two inches wide. Tim Carter asking the builder recommends using oak wood for this purpose.
3 pour a small amount of water into the ceramic tile to wet the excess grout.
4 Scrape on any large grout parts gently with the wood rod to pry off the ceramic tile. Continue until all large pieces of grout have been removed.
5 Rub the grout remains on the surface of the ceramic tiles with a nylon pad and soapy water. Avoid using steel wool pads, which can scrape the tiles.
6 If the remaining mortar is difficult to remove, or if the soil is still blurry or cloudy, mix one cup of white sugar in one gallon of warm water and stir until the sugar dissolves. Pour the mixture over the tiles and let it penetrate into the grout for two hours. Scrub the floor with the nylon scrubbing to finish removing the grout.