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    How to Clean Bathroom Tiles:
    Expert Tips and Maintenance Guide

    Cleaning bathroom tiles is critical. But it can sometimes be quite a task. In this guide, we have put together all the information you might need on how to clean bathroom tiles so that your next cleaning session will be easy, quick and comfortable. You can also visit our bathroom tiles page here.

    bathroom tile cleaning image main

    Preparations for Cleaning Bathroom Tiles

    What Do You Need?

    Here are some of the major items you need to start cleaning your bathroom wall tiles and floor tiles. You might require more materials and tools if you have tough stains or if you haven’t cleaned your spaces in a long time.

    • Gloves
    • Rags
    • Water
    • A toothbrush or small soft-bristled brush
    • Sponge
    • Baking soda
    • Broom
    • Mop
    • Swiffer and dry pads
    • Gentle dish detergent
    • Spray bottle
    • Lemon juice, white vinegar, or gentle soap
    • Squeegee

    What Chemical is Best for Cleaning Bathroom Tiles?

    There are a ton of chemicals that can help you clean your bathroom tiles effectively. We have compiled the top three chemicals that are readily available, affordable and easy to use for cleaning your bathroom tiles.

     

    Ammonia

    This is an excellent cleaner, most effective at degreasing and removing soap scum. Most cleaning products you see in the market have some concentration of ammonia.

    Ammonia can disinfect surfaces and evaporate quickly, leaving no residue. It can easily clean all your stains and grease. You can use ammonia not just in your tiles but also in your bathroom mirrors and windows. One thing about this ingredient is that it is slightly less effective than bleach and you can’t use it in areas other than the bathroom. You must especially avoid using ammonia in the kitchen area, or near kids and pets as it can be very harmful if ingested.

     

    Detergent

    This is an easily available and comparatively milder ingredient to clean your bathroom tiles. When we say milder, it is less effective than ingredients like bleach as detergents can’t perform the roles of disinfectant. The upside of this is that detergents are safer than most cleaning solutions.

    Even though detergents aren’t that good at disinfecting, they can break down and remove soap scum, body oils and general grime. They contain surfactants that lower water’s surface tension, so they spread more easily and penetrate dirt.

    It is worth noting that liquid dish soap is the mildest form of detergent while laundry detergent is stronger and more effective for deep cleaning.

     

    Bleach

    Bleach is a common yet powerful chemical that can be used to clean your bathroom tiles. It is a strong oxidizing agent that has the capability to get rid of a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi. It is also highly effective at removing tough stains and brightening or whitening surfaces.

    You can use bleach in the bathroom for grout cleaning, removing soap scum and body oil residues from tiles, sanitizing surfaces and preventing mould. The best parts about bleach are that it is relatively inexpensive, acts fast and doesn’t leave residue behind after rinsing. However, you need to be careful about mixing bleach with other chemicals like ammonia or acid as the mixture can be highly toxic.

    How to Clean Bathroom Tiles Using Home Remedies?

    Natural products and organic remedies are some of the safest and most affordable ways to clean your bathroom tiles. We have compiled a list of some of the best cleaning products that are easily available in most Australian homes and we will also guide you through how you can use each of them.

    Vinegar

    Vinegar has acetic acid content that can effectively break down soap scum, hard water stains and mineral deposits. It is of course natural, safe, inexpensive, easily available and can kill many types of bacteria.

    You can easily find white vinegar or apple cider vinegar at your local supermarket. Many homes also have vinegar at their disposal at all times. But be careful, you should never mix vinegar with bleach or hydrogen peroxide as this can create harmful fumes. We advise you not to use vinegar in some tiles like marble or limestone too as this acid can etch the surface of most natural stones.

    How to Use Vinegar?

    1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
    2. Spray the solution onto the tiles
    3. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes
    4. Scrub with a brush or sponge
    5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water
    6. Dry with a clean cloth to prevent water spots

     

    Salt

    Salt has to be the most easily available, accessible and affordable home remedy to clean bathroom tiles. It also has natural anti-bacterial properties that can disinfect surfaces while keeping things natural and non-toxic.How to Use Salt?

    • Wet the affected area or rub it with a damp cloth.
    • Sprinkle a good quantity of salt all over the area.
    • You can then scrub it with a brush to make sure the salt gets into the grout lines and leave it overnight.
    • Clean the surface in the morning with water to remove the salt and any remaining debris.

     

    Lemon Juice

    Lemon Juice, much like vinegar, is an acidic cleaner with antimicrobial properties. One advantage of lemon over other natural cleaners is that using lemon juice can not only clean your tiles, but also helps your bathroom smell fresh.

    How to use Lemon Juice?

    • You can use lemon all alone by cutting it in half and rubbing the inner part into the tiles, applying its juice all over the surface. You can then leave it in for a few minutes and see how clean, bright and shiny your tile can become with this simple ingredient.
    • Another way to use lemon juice is with baking soda. Mix lemon juice with baking soda to create a thick paste. Using a sponge or cloth, spread the paste onto the surface and let it sit for 10-15 minutes (or up to 30 minutes depending on how tough your stain is). Finally, scrub the tiles using a soft brush or spine and rinse it all with water. You might want to wipe it all with a dry cloth at the end to prevent any water stains.

     

    Baking Soda

    Baking Soda is a versatile cleaning ingredient that can be used in multiple ways. It is also a great solution to get rid of the most stubborn stains and grime without using harsh chemicals.

    How to Use Baking Soda?

    • One way of using baking soda is with lemon juice as we discussed earlier.
    • You can even mix baking soda with vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, ¼ cup of baking soda and two gallons of hot water. Use this mixture on your tile and leave it for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it later with water and wipe it with a dry cloth.
    • You can use plain water and baking soda together too. Use it exactly how you would use the baking soda and vinegar solution.

    The mixture of baking soda with water is great for regular cleaning or normal stains. For deeper cleaning and tougher stains, using baking soda with either lemon juice or vinegar is a great idea.

    How to Clean Bathroom Tiles: Daily Maintenance Tips

    Cleaning bathroom tiles can be a relatively easy task if you do it regularly instead of once in a long time. After all, small efforts go a long way.

    Let’s check out some of the best practices you can implement to keep your bathroom shiny all year round.

    • Remove spills or stains as soon as they occur to avoid tedious cleaning later.
    • Use vinegar to disinfect, clean and make those tiles shiny without fearing toxic chemicals entering your house.
    • Different tiles require different cleaning methods and processes. Know which cleaning solutions, tools and disinfectants are useful for which type of tiles. Get expert help if you can to understand how to clean specific types of tiles that you have.
    • Using the heavy suction of a vacuum cleaner can help remove hair and dirt from the bathroom tiles.
    • Consider sealing your tiles to prevent moisture, stains and wear.
    • Avoid using harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners for natural stone tiles.

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