Tools

Sponges

Hydro and grout sponges for cleaning down tiling, plus render sponges for floating and finishing.

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Sponges products

Sponges buying guide

Sponge condition and grout finish

A worn, torn or clogged sponge is the most common cause of an uneven grout finish. Hydro sponges hold and release water evenly, which gives a consistent joint. Rinse frequently in clean water, wring properly — an over-wet sponge pulls cement out of the joint and leaves it pale and porous.

Timing the wash

Start the first wash once the grout has firmed but before it hardens — typically 15 to 30 minutes, but it varies with temperature and tile absorbency. Washing too early drags grout out of the joints and washes pigment away, giving patchy colour. Too late and the haze bonds to the tile face and needs chemical removal.

Render sponges

Sponge floats are used to bring a fine texture up on a render surface and to close up minor imperfections. The sponge must be damp, not wet, and worked in consistent circular motions with even pressure. Changing pressure or direction part-way across a wall face produces a visible variation in the finish that only shows once the wall dries.

Cleaning and life

Rinse sponges in clean water at the end of the job and let them dry fully. A sponge stored wet with cement in it hardens into a block. Even well-maintained grout sponges are consumables — once the surface has torn or the pores are clogged with hardened cement, it will drag on the joint and should be replaced.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I change grout water?
As soon as it turns visibly milky. Once the water is cloudy it is depositing cement back onto the tile, not removing it.
Why is my grout washing out of the joints?
Washing too early, or too much water in the sponge. Wait until the grout has firmed and wring the sponge out properly.

stocked at both jaden services trade counters — fairfield heights and prestons — with australia-wide delivery and trade pricing for regular accounts. Get in touch