How to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Make Them Look Splendid Again

Nothing can make a bathroom look older than grimy tiles. If not cleaned regularly, your tiles can – and will – develop white calcium residue, soap scum and dust buildup on the grout. White cloudy stains form on the surface, ruining the looks of your bathroom.

On the grout, you can even notice mould growth. If not taken care of, it will grow deep into the porous material and loosen the tiles’ grip. And we all know that mould can be dangerous for your health, with black mould being especially harmful.

Therefore, a good clean up will not only make your bathroom look aesthetically pleasing but will also prolong the life of your tiles and ensure the overall hygienic state of your bathroom. 

So, if you:

• Want to know how to clean bathroom tiles at home;
• Wish to restore the shininess of your tiles;
• Have tiles that need special care;

Then, this post is just right for you! We will tell you which cleaning method is the best for the material of your tiles and teach you how to do it naturally. 

Before we start

Before you dive into cleaning bathroom tiles, take a moment to first wipe down the surface with a dry cloth. This simple step will help remove dust and debris. Using a wet cloth might seem tempting, sure, but it likely will just spread dust around and you don’t want that.

Afterwards, tackle soap scum and prepare the area for a thorough clean. Turn on your shower and let it run for about 5-10 minutes with the temperature set to high. The hot water and steam work wonders by opening up the pores and loosening dirt particles, thus making your cleaning task much easier.

How to clean bathroom tiles

The cleaning method for your tiles entirely depends on their finish. It’s important to clean them regularly as part of a bathroom cleaning checklist. Cleaning them regularly will mean less work for you in the future, as scrubbing 6-month old grime and limescale off of your tiles is never fun.

Natural stone tiles

Natural stone tiles, such as granite, limestone, marble and sandstone, are easily etched and eventually can be discoloured by any acid. Therefore, you want to avoid using such substances as vinegar, borax or lemon juice. Always use pH neutral cleaners.

Any mild, phosphate-free dish soap will do the job. The following cleaning method is perfect for your weekly cleaning routine and doesn’t require a lot of resources:

• Squirt a bit of the dish soap into a container and add a little amount of water;
• Then take a soft cloth (microfiber or non-scratch cloth) and apply a portion of the solution on the tiles;
• Use a smaller container. That way it would be easier for you to have it around, in case you need to apply more of the cleaning mixture;
• Rinse everything thoroughly and wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth or an old towel;

And this is how you clean stone tiles in your bathroom!

Ceramic tiles

Ceramic tiles are relatively easier to clean than marble. Plain ceramic tiles can withstand mild scrubbing with a scouring pad, however, printed patterns are better cleaned with a microfiber cloth. The ingredients for the following tile cleaner you can find in the kitchen cupboard. Wait, can baking soda clean bathroom tiles? Well, yes, in fact here is how to clean bathroom tiles with baking soda.

• Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing 2 spoons of baking soda in 500ml of water. Once the baking soda is dissolved, add 50ml of vinegar and 50ml of lemon juice; 
• Pour the mixture into a spray bottle for easier application. Prepare the rest of the equipment – a scouring pad or microfiber cloth, rubber gloves and goggles; 
• When everything is set, spray the solution and let it sit for 30 min;
• Once the time is up, scrub all the dirt off and rinse with warm water. Don’t forget to dry the surfaces up with an old towel or a cloth to avoid excess moisture.

So this is how you how to clean tiles in bathroom made of ceramic, but what about in between the tiles?

How to clean the tile grout

If you are thinking “Will white vinegar damage bathroom tiles?”, then the answer is yes. Once grout comes in contact with strong acidic or alkaline cleaning agents, it starts to deteriorate. In the case of vinegar, it’s made from acetic acid. You might not notice it right away, however, in the long run, vinegar dissolves the grout especially if it’s unsealed by penetrating the air spaces between the material, and eventually corrodes it.

Even if your grout has a layer of sealer, the acid will eventually trigger the change in the pH of the grout sealer and make its way into the grout. This might mean having to grout the tiles again, in which case you might want to have a look at our article on how to grout tile.

Instead, to clean the grout lines, try the following tips:

1. Use a mild dish soap similar to what you used to clean the tiles. This soap helps to loosen dirt and grime without harming the grout. Or…
2. Splash hydrogen peroxide onto the grout lines and then sprinkle baking soda generously over the dampened areas;
3. Allow the hydrogen peroxide and baking soda mixture to sit on the grout lines for a while. This gives the ingredients time to penetrate and lift stubborn stains;
4. Use a nylon brushe or microfiber cloth to scrub and metal or abrasive brushes. They can scratch and damage the grout.
5. After allowing the mixture to sit, rinse the grout lines thoroughly with clean water. All traces of the cleaning solution must be are removed.
6. Consider applying a sealer to the grout lines after cleaning to enhance their resistance to stains and moisture. Follow manufacturer recommendations for proper application and reapplication intervals.

If your grout lines are relatively clean and you’re performing routine maintenance, using dish soap alone may suffice. However, if you’re dealing with stubborn stains or areas with mold and mildew, using hydrogen peroxide as an additional cleaner can provide more effective results.

Get your bathroom tiles and grout professionally cleaned

If you want to save yourself from this unpleasant chore of scrubbing, why not entrust this job to Fantastic Services? The professionals we work with will deep-clean your tiles as part of the one-off deep cleaning service. You don’t have to worry about the safety of your tiles and grout, as the teams are professionally trained to treat any type of surface. Be sure that your bathroom will shine and sparkle like brand new. What are you waiting for? Get your cleaning service, today!

Takeaways

• Protect your skin from detergents by wearing rubber gloves.
• Ceramic tiles can be cleaned with a mixture of baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar and water.
• Natural stone tiles need special care, as the porous material is easily damaged. Therefore, try avoiding any harsh cleaners. A pH-neutral dish soap will do the job.
• When cleaning natural stones, use only soft cloths.
• Tile grout gets damaged by acidic cleaners. Avoid using vinegar or lemon juice.
• Don’t scrub the grout with abrasive brushes. Use a non-metal bristle brush or a toothbrush. 

Bathroom cleaning can be quite tiresome, however, it’s all worth it because any visit to the bathroom will be a great reminder of the amazing job you have done. And hey, while you have all the equipment prepared, why not clean the kitchen tiles, as well?

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Image source: Shutterstock / FotoDuets