How To Clean Bathroom Tiles? 7 Simple Yet Effective Methods

Bathrooms with tiles are a must-have for every house owner these days. But people often forget what comes along with these tiles. Yes, the burden of keeping these bathroom tiles squeaky clean and shiny.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the skills to give their tiles that perfect clean. But today, we will disclose the secret to clean bathroom tiles.

So, how to clean bathroom tiles?

To clean your bathroom tiles, you can use vinegar or hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. You can also use detergent with vinegar. Baking soda can also be used with bleach to clean your bathroom tiles. Moreover,  hydrogen peroxide with borax is a good choice. Finally, Clorox or oxygen bleach with water is also quite helpful for cleaning bathroom tiles.

This is just a peek through to the whole story. So, make sure to stay back to read the entire cleaning method!

Sounds good? Let’s get started!

Why Do Bathroom Tiles Get Dirty?

Well, bathroom tiles can get dirty for a couple of reasons. Before going for the solutions, we must know the causes behind them. So, let’s get to know about the reasons first.

Dust Particles

The first and the obvious reason is dust particles. Whenever you enter the washroom with dirty feet, the tiles get dirty. Besides, dust from the hands gets on the floor. As a result, the dust particles gradually congest and make the tiles dirty.

Moreover, the bathroom window can also become a medium that lets dust inside. As a result, the bathroom tiles get dirty eventually. 

Dirt Accumulation

Dust is not the only cause of tiles getting dirty. It’s possible that your tiles were grouted and installed at some point. Some grout may have remained on the tile’s surface. 

A grout haze will remain on the tiles if this is not done. And this grout film is almost imperceptible on its own. So, it collects dirt and traps it on the tile’s surface. 

It might be possible to wash away the dirt at times. But as soon as the tile is dry, the cycle starts all over again.

Leftover Detergent On Tiles

Ironically, detergent is another cause. If detergent is used to clean a floor, it must be properly washed. Because a coating of detergent on the tiles might dry and trap dirt. The same goes for soap scum. 

Continuing to wash with detergent may aggravate the condition. The soap scum accumulates up to the extent, making the tiles turning white. But if it is not washed properly, then it becomes an issue. 

Now that you know the reasons behind your dirty bathroom tiles, it’ll be easier to prevent them. 

What Happens If You Don’t Clean Bathroom Tiles?

The very first concern that comes with bathroom cleanliness is hygiene. Because not cleaning the bathroom tiles increases the dirt on them. As a result, you can get infected with various diseases. Eventually, you might become sick.

Not cleaning the dirty bathroom tiles can get you into more trouble. Because you’d see the tiles are getting faded or discolored gradually. Moreover, you might also notice mould on your tiles which is quite harmful to your health. 

Stained tiles and dull appearance are also responsible for dirty bathroom tiles. In addition, you might get in trouble due to the slippery surface of the floor tiles. Because dirt can make the tiles quite slippery. 

How To Clean Bathroom Tiles?- 7 Simple Methods

Cleaning bathroom tiles can seem strenuous and time-consuming. But with these 7 methods that we’ve provided, you’ll find clean tiles in no time. However, make sure to continue this cleaning process to maintain the shiny tiles you’ll achieve after this.

Now let’s get into the details-

Method 1 of 7: Use Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda

Have you ever wondered how to clean bathroom floor tiles easily? Well, let’s get the answer today!

Both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are safe for the environment. They are also among the most easily accessible things in our houses. 

So, you can easily clean your shower tiles with them. Moreover, this mixture is strong enough to fight mould on bathroom tiles.

Both of these things are much less expensive than store-bought cleaners. So, you can call this method your budget-friendly cleaner for tiles.

To begin, mix water and hydrogen peroxide in a ratio of 2:1. Then using a spray bottle, squirt the mixture where the mold is forming. Now, allow the mixture to sit on the tiles for at least 30 minutes. Then clear the mold and rinse the tiles with a scouring pad. 

Besides, you may be dealing with stains like soap scum and grout stain. If that’s the case, a solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide will suffice. So, mix these two products in an equal ratio.

Then apply the paste on the surface of the tiles. Keep the paste on the surface for about half an hour. Then wash away. You’d gradually notice the tiles becoming shiny.

Method 2 of 7: Use Dishwashing Detergent And Vinegar

You might have wanted to know how to clean bathroom tiles quickly! Well, we’ve got the answer here.

When it comes to removing stains from shower tiles, vinegar works wonders. The vinegar’s acidity removes all soap scum marks from the shower tiles. 

To begin, combine equal parts vinegar and dishwashing soap. Then warm the solution before pouring it into a spray bottle. After that, spray the mixture on the tiles using the spray bottle. Make sure that all the tiles are covered properly with the mixture.

Then leave the tiles with the mixture like that for at least an hour. After that, you can rinse it off. After rinsing off, you would see the tiles glowing.

Method 3 of 7: Use Baking Soda And Vinegar

Baking soda is one of the most commonly suggested and desired cleaning products in our homes. It not only removes stains from tiles but also helps to eradicate odors. 

Furthermore, a solution of vinegar and baking soda is effective at removing grime from bathroom tiles. 

To begin, take water and baking soda. Then mix them properly to create a paste. Now, apply the paste to the tiles that are affected. Then drizzle in a few drops of vinegar all over. The chemical process would then start on its own. 

Now, leave the solution for at least 85 minutes. Gradually the bubbling would settle down. By that time, the dirt would be lifted away. 

Finally, scrape off the dirt using a stiff brush and rinse it off. However, always remember an important thing. Make sure you wash the surface of the tiles properly. Because any leftover detergent can grow mould on tiles. 

Now, you might wonder what would be the best stiff brush for this. Well, worry no more! Because we’ve got a couple of suggestions below-

Product 1- Amazer Scrub Brush Comfort Grip.
Product 2- JIGA Stiff Bristle Brush Scrubber.

These are stiff brushes that are quite durable. Moreover, these are quite good when it comes to washing the bathroom tiles.

Method 4 of 7: Use Hydrogen Peroxide With Borax

The results are great when both hydrogen peroxide and borax are used as cleaning agents. You should pour the borax into the afflicted tiles first due to its alkaline nature. The amount would be mentioned in the product details section. Then keep it like this for about 5 hours minimum. 

After that, pour hydrogen peroxide on the tiles as per the product details instruction. Then keep it like that for a minimum of 2 hours. Finally, rinse it off properly with warm water. 

This method is great for removing any stubborn stain on grouts as well.

Method 5 of 7: Use Baking Soda And Bleach

Mixing bleach and baking soda provide you with a magical cleaning solution. To mix them together, just put them into a pot. Take 5 spoons of baking soda and 2 spoons of bleach. Then mix them properly.

When the paste is ready, apply it to the tiles and grout lines. Then let the paste dry for a couple of minutes. Pour in some water afterward. 

Now, clean the tiles to remove the dirt. Remember to always use bleach correctly. Because bleach can damage the protective coating on the tiles. As a result, the tiles can become discolored or stained gradually. 

And that’s it, your bathroom tiles will be clean using baking soda just like that!

Method 6 of 7: Use Clorox Bleach And Hot Water

Although unexpected, bleach is a powerful product that can clean tiles without having to scrub. After all the options discussed have failed, this should be your last resort. The longer you leave it on the tile, the easier it is to clean the dirt. 

Because of its effectiveness, the regular use of bleach to clean your bathroom is never allowed. If it is not mixed with water, do not leave the bleach on the tiles for a long time. Because it can permanently damage them. 

On the other hand, mixing bleach and hot water in a ratio of 1:4 is an ideal solution. Because it controls the new growth of mold and powdery mildew. Remember to always handle bleach carefully, as it is an irritating chemical.

Method 7 of 7: Use Oxygen Bleach

Oxygen bleach is slightly milder than Clorox bleach. And it is known for cleaning up dirty grout. Even so, oxygen bleach can still be used to clean dirty shower tiles. 

And it doesn’t need much energy to scrub. To begin, add about three tablespoons of oxygen bleach in a bucket of two quarts of water. Then mix to form a solution and soak your shower tiles and grout with the mixture. 

Now, let it rest for about 25 minutes. If the tiles are still not clean, make an oxygen bleach paste. Just drop a few drops of water. Then apply the paste on the surface of the tiles. Use a small toothbrush to wipe off the dirt and rinse the bathroom. 

After using bleach or other effective cleaning products, remember to ventilate the bathroom. Because ventilation would let in fresh air which is needed after applying oxygen bleach. 

Remember one thing! Rinse off the tiles properly, because any leftover bleach would result in stains. Moreover, it can also lead to mould growing along with some other germs and viruses.

So, these are the methods you can follow to clean your bathroom tiles.

FAQs

Question: Can I make my tiles shine?

Answer: Yes, you can. To polish the tiles, you might apply an old housekeeping tip. To begin, spritz the surface with furniture polish or lemon oil. Then, using a soft microfiber towel, polish the tiles. As a result, when the furniture polish is entirely removed, sparkling tiles are left.

Question: How to make old tiles look new?

Answer: Apply a new paint color to your existing ceramic tiles to give them a new look. Choose a paint color that goes well with the decor and furniture. To prepare your tiles for painting, clean them and apply a surface conditioner. Apply a thin coat of enamel paint to each tile with a paintbrush. And your tiles will look new.

Question: Can I tile over the current tiles?

Answer: Technically, you can lay fresh tiles on top of old ones. However, it might not be a short task. So, you need to contact a professional for this task. Because you definitely can not conduct this process yourself. Moreover, it might cost you a lot to tile over the existing ones.

The Final Words

Now, you know how to clean bathroom tiles! Cleaning bathroom tiles might seem quite easy. But it’s important to do it effectively. We believe our methods are helpful enough! 

We hope you find our methods easy and simple! All the best with your home improvement tasks!