How To Clean Bathroom Tiles

Why Clean Your Bathroom Tiles?

First, those spots and stains reduce the aesthetics of your bathroom. Second, they attract harmful bacteria and germs. Moreover, if left for long, the dirt and dust become caked. Thus, you find them even more challenging to clean. That is why you should clean your bathroom tiles regularly.

How To Clean The Grout

After a while, you can begin to have dirt buildup on your grout between your bathroom tiles. Moreover, mold and mildew can grow and spoil its outlook. Thus, it is more likely to get dirty quickly. More so, the tile grout of your bathroom shower needs to be of the darker kind. Otherwise, it is prone to show more stains and discoloration over time.

Consequently, you have to pay attention to the grout first while cleaning. This will prohibit you from having to scrub off grout dirt from your tiles later. Consequently, you can follow the steps below to clean grouting in your bathroom.

Bring a suitable cleaning agent

True, specialist cleaners or chlorine-based bleach can be used. However, you should reserve such tile cleaners for when the stain or mold growth is significant. Second, using strong cleaners or bleach can cause the finish of dark or coloured grouting to fade. In any case, if you do use them, keep the bathroom door and windows open for better ventilation. It would not do good to breathe in the chemicals.

Wear gloves

Another precaution is to wear gloves. This is to say that if the specialist or chlorine-based bathroom cleaners get on your skin, they might cause irritations.

Make the cleaning paste

It makes good sense to go for homemade natural cleaning agents. For example, you can get a bowl and mix baking soda with vinegar. Vinegar and baking soda mixture is quite an effective cleaning agent for bathrooms. The vinegar works as a degreaser. On the other hand, baking soda eliminates odors and scrubs the surfaces.

Other people also go for a mixture of baking soda with warm water to clean bathroom tiles and grout. After that, working the grout cleaner paste into the grout is real simple. Just use a toothbrush. You will easily slough through the dirt without any harm.

Soak for a while

How long should you leave the cleaning solution on the grout, you wonder? Let it soak in for up to 30 minutes. Thereafter, rinse off with clean water. Then, use a clean cloth like a microfiber towel to wipe the tiles of any residue. There you go. Your grout should look clean and pristine. Oh! But you still see some signs of dirt? No worries. Repeat the process, and it will clear off.

Cleaning Bathroom Wall Tiles

After cleaning the grout, clean the bathroom wall tiles. Again, you have to consider the finish.

For ceramic tiles, vinegar is ideal. If the ceramic tiles are plain, use a scouring pad. But, if they are printed pattern tiles, then use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.

Run a hot shower

First, run a hot shower that lasts a few minutes. It will open up the ceramic pores of the shower tiles for better access to the dirt and a cleaner result.

Mix up your cleaner and scrub

Again, you can either use a specialist cleaner or a natural homemade cleaner. A baking soda and vinegar mixture can serve the purpose. Mix it up in a bowl. Then, scrub with a damp sponge or scouring pad. Remember not to scrub too hard. Scrub in a gentle, constant wiping motion with less pressure. A circular motion is also appropriate.

Let it soak briefly

Allow the solution to remain on the tiles for a short time. Thereafter, rinse off with fresh water. Finally, mop the walls dry using a towel or microfiber cloths.

Steam Cleaning The Floor Tiles

Repeating the methods mentioned above will suffice to clean the bathroom floor tiles. However, you can make use of a steam cleaner, especially if you have to clean a large surface area. The steam cleaner will ease your work by quickly working through any dirt or grime to clean your bathroom floor tiles. Before you use the steam cleaner, do wipe the tiled floors with a soft cloth first.

This will ensure you remove large particles of dirt that the steam cleaner can drag over the tile surface. This means that you will avoid scratching the floor tiles. Also, confirm if the steam cleaner is appropriate for your type of tiling. So, how do you use the steam cleaner? Just guide it carefully over the floor. Do make sure to cover the entire surface. Next, allow the floor to dry. Finally, give a final wipe-over with a cloth.

Another helpful tip with steam cleaners involves using a steam mop. Use water with a few drops of white vinegar added. The steam mop will sterilise the germs as it cleans off the surface grim. Moreover, you can put the removable pads in the washing machine. This way, the mop remains clean for a longer time.

Removing Lime From Bathroom Tiles

The tile joints are an area where lime, mildew, soap scum, fungus, and dirt become concentrated. These lime stains can be difficult to remove. Follow the steps below to remove limescale stains during your bathroom tiles cleaning.

Clean with water and white vinegar

This solution is quite effective. Prepare distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on the tile and use a cloth to clean the tiles. After that, wipe with a damp cloth. Another tip is to use hot vinegar where the limescale buildup is more prevalent. When you are done cleaning, use a dry cloth to rub the surface. There you go! Your tiles are now shiny.

If you are opting for vinegar with liquid dish soap or dishwasher mixture, do rub with a sponge. Allow to sit for a few minutes. Then use a cloth soaked in lukewarm water to wipe the mixture off.

Cleaning Very Dirty Bathroom Tiles

For adamant bathroom tile stains, including lime, grease, or other dirt, ammonia can come in handy. Pour a jet of ammonia into a container of water. Then, clean the tile surface with it using a sponge or cloth. Round off by wiping it with a cloth soaked in water. This will remove any ammonia residue. Conclude the process by wiping the tiles of the bathroom dry with a cloth.

However, ammonia is a corrosive product. Use with care. Ensure you wear gloves and avoid contact with the skin or eyes. Furthermore, keep the room ventilated. Above all, do not breathe in ammonia fumes.

Removing Mold And Mildew Stains

Indeed, mold stains are not pleasant to see in the bathroom. Here are some natural homemade products for cleaning bathroom tiles with mildew or mold stains. These are in addition to those already mentioned above.

Boric acid or borax

Boric acid is quite effective because of its antifungal properties. It is a highly alkaline natural mineral used to disinfect, deodorize, and clean. Simply dissolve half a glass of borax in half a liter of water. Applying the mixture onto the tiles and give it some time. Then, rinse off with a cloth or sponge and water. Additionally, keep the mixture from coming into contact with your skin or eyes, as it can cause irritation.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide kills mold without releasing toxic gases. Apply it directly to the affected areas. You can use a sprayer or a cloth to rub it in. Give it some 15 minutes. Then, rub it off with a small brush. Remember to conclude by washing your hands.

Benefits Of Natural Cleaning Products

Alternatively, you may choose to use natural products to clean your bathroom tiles for the following benefits.

• First, your home is safer for you, your pets, and your family.
• Second, the environment is safer.
• Third, the air in your home is free from toxic chemicals. For instance, you reduce the risks of developing illnesses such as asthma, autism, leukemia, reduced sperm count, and childhood cancers.
• In addition, you get to spend less.
• The products are for general home use and not just for the bathroom.
• You are more confident of the cleaning ingredients as you mix them up yourself.

When Should You Invite A Professional?

After reading up on how to clean bathroom tiles, you may find some or all of the natural homemade products unfamiliar. Furthermore, you may be wary of getting just any specialist or commercial cleaning product. Some of them may be harmful after all. Or perhaps, you just want to leave the hassle of cleaning your bathroom tiles to the professionals.

Indeed, there are professional cleaning services out there to help protect, clean, maintain and return bathroom flooring and wall tiling to their former shine. Moreover, they can help clean your bathroom sink, exhaust fans, bathroom floors, and general house cleaning.