I laid down some strong alkaline cleaner @ full strength to see what the results might be regarding the nasty tile I wrote about earlier.

I used a small brush after 10 minute dwell time. I got mild results. These little tiles are trashed.

does this imply I should use an acid? I have access to a phosphoric blend acid my janitorial claims to be good for tile.

I have no clue how to clean this stuff but for what I have read here. usually, my tiles are for Mrs Nextdoor with kitchen tiles that just need a little touching up.

But this, like th nasty carpet of weeks ago (same place) give me a little experimenting lab and although my future does NOT depend on getting clean, I'd like to know how for giggles.

The tiles are yellow...well they are meant to be but are kind of....is yuck a color? It appears that dirt has worked its way into the tiny little pores of the tiles, it looks like whatever "shine" there ever was has been worn off. The grout is a shade of black that makes one think it has a growth.

The "degreaser" did clean and, when it was wet, it looked great..the it dried and has that worn, yellow look. Can anyone help or should I step off.

Phil,

I had a job like this a while back. I had to use an acid cleaner, The key to it is the acid needs to be neutralized with an alkaline cleaner.

Sometimes it is what it is.

Ralph

Phil what you want to use is an acidic cleaner like Stonetech's Restore http://www.stonetechpro.com/products/clean/rs/ or buy a acidic cleaner for tile from your local distributor. You need to do an acid test on the floor to make certain your getting to the grout if not you'll probably need to strip it.
Like Patriock Matt said earlier it could have wax or mop and glow on it.
Also all you are doing is cleaning it it's not going to "pop" a real big shine
depending on what type of tile it is you would have to use different products for that and they don't do anything for a glazed ceramic tile.

I had a job recently wher there was a reside on the top of the tile that cold only be removed with an acid.

Test First!!