How to Clean Bathroom Tiles
Cleaning your bathroom tiles is one of those tasks that you keep putting off….. but the longer you leave it the worse they get.
Instead of creating one mammoth task, why not give them a quick wipe-down after every shower or bath? Steam, heat, and moisture are a few of the top things that can encourage bacteria and eventually invite mould to grow on your grouting, if not cleaned regularly.
Not only can mould be potentially harmful to humans and pets but it also looks unsightly. If this has given you that much-needed motivation to clean your tiles, then read on to find out how best to do it.
How to clean grouting
The best place to start is on the grouting. This tends to be the worst affected area in most cases, so you want to get rid of any grime and mould from here first before tackling the tiles themselves.
Now, depending on the condition of your grouting, whether it’s slightly stained or has a serious build-up of grime an old toothbrush will become your new best friend. Even better, if you have an old electric toothbrush lying around this could save time and strain on your wrist and arm! However, if you do use an electric toothbrush make sure it’s waterproof before submerging it in water!
Cleaning your grouting can easily be done with items from your kitchen cupboards. Simply mix two parts bicarbonate of soda with one part water and spread directly onto the grout. Using an old toothbrush rub the paste in thoroughly.
Depending on the condition of your grout, you might also need to add a mixer of water and white vinegar to your bicarb paste. Spray this directly onto the grouting and leave it to settle with your bicarb paste for around 30 minutes. If after 30 minutes your grout is still looking tired and a bit sorry for itself, then repeat the process until you start to see results. Make sure to rinse well with plain water after. Next, time to clean the tiles themselves.
How to clean wall tiles
The best way to clean wall tiles will depend on the type of tile you have. For example, marble and pattered tiles need much more care than other types of tile.
If you’re not sure whether the surface of your tiles is delicate or not, we suggest testing cleaning in a small inconspicuous area before tackling a whole wall. We would also advise against using any harsh chemicals or abrasive products, this is particularly important for marble and patterned tiles.
Much like cleaning your grouting, you can use a mix of one part water and two parts bicarbonate of soda to clean your tiles. For your tiles, however, we suggest using a sponge on delicate tiles or a scouring brush on more robust tiles.
Simply wipe or brush in the mixture of bicarb and water along with one-part white vinegar, for the best results. You don’t need to use too much pressure as the cleaning solution should do all the hard work. Once applied leave to settle for 10-15 minutes before wiping down with clean water and finally drying your tiles with a soft microfiber cloth or towel.
How to clean floor tiles
Much like wall tiles, the grouting on your floor tiles can be easily cleaned with a simple, make-at-home, bicarbonate of soda, water, and vinegar cleaning solution. Simply follow the same instructions as above for cleaning grouting on floor tiles.
However, when it comes to the tiles themselves you first need to check whether they have any special cleaning needs. Some types of floor tiles come without grout and therefore have their own specific cleaning needs.
Now, once you know your tiles don’t have any specific cleaning needs you can get cracking on making them sparkling clean. First things first, give your floor a quick sweep or hoover to get rid of any dust or crumbs or other excess dirt then using a mop and floor cleaning solution simply mop every area of the tile. If you don’t have any floor cleaner on hand you can easily make a floor cleaning solution using 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part fairy liquid or equivalent dish soap.
Once you’ve mopped your tiles with the cleaning solution, give them another mop, this time with plain water to remove any cleaning residue. You can then either leave your tiles to air dry or give them a wipe down with a soft microfiber cloth or towel, helping to prevent any watermarks.
Everyday tile cleaning
Now, you might be thinking, do I have to do this all the time? Is there a quicker way to clean my tiles? The answer is no, if you clean your tiles regularly and give them a wipe down with a soft cloth after using the shower or bath then you shouldn’t need to give your tiles a deep clean every week.
However, if you want to keep your tiles looking their best all the time, then we suggest a thorough clean once a week or fortnight along with a wipe-down when your bathroom gets hot and steamy. This is especially useful in a busy family bathroom!
Now your tiles are sparkling why not add some new bathroom accessories to give your bathroom a complete refresh? From towel rails and toilet roll holders to handy shelves and tumblers, we've got a wide range of bathroom accessories to suit any bathroom.
If you're looking for further cleaning advice, take a look at the following posts - Kitchen Cleaning Tips - Bathroom Cleaning Habits You Can't Live Without - The Key to Clean Shower Glass.
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