Last Updated on March 10, 2024 by Umer Malik
Your bathroom is a place of rest and relaxation. Whether you spend an hour in the tub with to relax sore muscles under a hot shower, the bathroom allows you to clean yourself and feel rejuvenated.
Though you can clean yourself in the bathroom, you’ll also need to clean the bathroom itself! One thing that many people gloss over when cleaning is bathroom tiles.
The tiles in your bathroom see a lot of dirt, grime, germs, and moisture throughout the day, so ensuring they’re clean is vital to the health and appearance of your bathroom.
If your tile’s looking worse for wear, it could be time for a deep clean. Be sure to keep reading for a comprehensive guide to help you get your tile in tip-top shape.
Table of Contents
DIY Methods
Many people will avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning, as they can have adverse reactions like irritation or release nasty fumes. Instead, many homeowners opt to use their own DIY method to clean bathroom tiles.
One method many use to clean the surface of the tile is baking soda and vinegar. The mixture can help lift and remove stubborn dirt and crud, making your tiles look much cleaner and getting rid of grimy textures.
You can also opt to use other household items, such as dish soap and vinegar to clean your tiles. The acidity of vinegar can help dissolve stubborn grime, while the dish soap helps to clean the oil and grease that has accumulated.
Deep Clean
If your bathroom tile hasn’t been cleaned in a while or has gone through serious trauma like the buildup of cigarette smoke, mold, or other major stains, it could be time to break out the heavy-duty cleaners.
There are many bathroom tile cleaners available, from products with bleach to citric acid to help clean tough messes. Always remember to follow the instructions on the cleaner, as that will ensure you use the product safely.
In many cases, you’ll apply the cleaner to ceramic tile, let it sit for the allotted time, and either rinse or scrub.
When scrubbing the surface of tiles, you’ll want to choose a mildly abrasive brush. Using something too harsh can strip the coating of your tiles away, causing scratches and other damage.
Scrubbing Grout
After you’ve cleaned the tile’s surface, you’ll want to take care of the stubborn dirt stuck in the grout. The buildup of dirt and grime in the grout can make your tiles look dirty, no matter how clean the tile itself is.
You can begin by using a brush to scrub away any loose dirt and grime from the space between tiles. Though this may not help with discoloration, it can remove debris to make cleaning easier.
Next, you’ll want to use a cleaner to remove stains. While you can use DIY methods and scrub the grout, heavy-duty cleaners can help remove the need for harsh scrubbing, and the chemicals will do most of the leg work.
If you’ve tried everything when it comes to cleaning tile grout but you can’t get your grout back to its former glory, you can look here for the benefits of hiring a cleaning service to help you get your home spotless.
Spot Cleaning
Once you’ve cleaned the surface of the tile and the grout, you may notice that there are areas of your tiles that have become stained. These stains are often caused by the buildup of moisture, mineral buildup, or even rust.
To clean spots, you’ll need to first identify the stain, as the cleaning method depends on what the cause is.
For stains such as blood, ink, dye, or coffee, you’ll want to use diluted bleach, and cover the area with a cloth to let the bleach saturate the stain to remove it. Be sure to rinse the area well after.
Other stains, like rust, will require a mixture of borax and lemon juice, while hard water stains can be alleviated with vinegar and baking soda left to soak overnight.
Tips and Tricks
Though many dread doing household chores, there are bathroom cleaning tips that can help make the job more manageable.
Before you begin, you’ll want to wipe the surface of the tile to remove any dust or loose dirt on the bathroom walls or floors. You can also use hot water, like a steam mop, to loosen up any trouble areas before you start cleaning.
After you shower, it’s a good idea to help open a window if possible. This helps dry leftover moisture, subsequently preventing mold from accumulating in the nooks and crannies of your bathroom.
Maintenance
In order to prevent the need to deep clean tile grout, surfaces, and mold, you’ll want to regularly clean your bathroom tiles.
Cleaning your bathroom at least once a week will allow you to avoid using harsh chemicals often. Using a soft scrub bleach to clean tiles can help remove the grime that will build up as a result of typical bathroom use.
If you notice stubborn hard water stains building up on your tile shower walls, you may want to invest in a water softener to help alleviate the issue.
Read more: Industrial Floor Coating
Your Guide to Cleaning Bathroom Tiles, Made Easy
When it comes to cleaning your house, the bathroom may seem like one of the most manageable locations. However, taking the time to thoroughly clean can keep your family safe and healthy.
Staying on top of cleaning is a great way to prevent a laborious chore down the line. Rinsing your shower walls and wiping down the floor can help prevent dirt.
If you found this guide to cleaning bathroom tiles informative, you’ll want to check out the rest of our website. There, you’ll discover more great home and lifestyle tips to help you keep your house spotless.
Read more: How to Lighten Your Hair Without Bleach Using Household Ingredients
