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:
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 go further into the different cleaning methods, please prepare the necessary cleaning materials in advance. Depending on the material of your tiles and the surface, you might need various cleaning agents. Some of them are acidic (for example, vinegar) and can cause skin irritation. Therefore, you have to first think about your safety and the safety of your household. Prepare rubber gloves, safety goggles and get your kids and pets out of the way.
With that being said, let’s get to the cleaning!
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, 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:
And this is how you clean stone tiles in your bathroom!
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. So, to clean ceramic bathroom tiles you need to:
Despite all the suggestions on the Internet to clean the tile grout with vinegar, we highly recommend avoiding this method for regular cleaning.
“What’s wrong with the vinegar?” – you ask.
The acidic nature of vinegar can cause more harm than good. You see, once grout comes in contact with strong acidic or alkaline cleaning agents, it starts deteriorating. You might not notice it for the first time after cleaning, however, in the long run, vinegar dissolves the grout especially if 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 using the same dish soap as you used to clean the tiles. If the stains are too stubborn, try splashing some hydrogen peroxide on the grout tiles and add a layer of baking soda to it. Let it soak for a bit and wash everything off. Don’t use a metal or any abrasive brush, as this can damage the sealer layer and the grout.
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!
Find one in your area.
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
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