Cleaning the bathroom tiles might sound like a simple task, but once you get to it, you might find out that you had been underestimating it. There are certain challenges associated with cleaning bathroom wall tiles, like dealing with soap scums, mold and not knowing what type of tiles you have. So, you’ll need to know the correct way to clean bathroom wall tiles!
You can clean bathroom wall tiles using common household items like Vinegar, dish soap, scrubber, etc. There are also a handful of commercial cleaners that can deliver excellent results.
In the rest of the article, we will explain how to clean bathroom wall tiles stain without causing any damage. What precautions should we take while cleaning different types of tiles on the bathroom wall? We will go through that as well.
Things You Will Need
- Vinegar.
- Dish soap.
- Essential oil.
- Non-scratch scrubber/ microfiber mop.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Baking soda.
- Old toothbrush.
How To Clean Bathroom Wall Tiles?
Step 1. Prepare A 50-50 Dish Soap Vinegar Solution
There are several DIY recipes to choose from when it comes to picking a homemade bathroom tiles cleaner. To keep things simple, we will go for something very simple yet incredibly effective.
Take a sprayer bottle and fill half of it with liquid dish soap. Then, fill out the rest with distilled vinegar. Put on the cap and shake the bottle so that the vinegar and soap mix well. A few shakes would be enough for the job.
You can add 10/15 drops of your favorite essential to the mixture. It will make your bathroom smell much better.
Step 2. Cover The Wall With The Cleaner
Spray the solution all over the wall tiles. Be generous with the spill and douse the tiles in soap and vinegar. After the wall becomes drenched with the cleaner, let it sit for a few minutes and return with a non-abrasive scrubber.
Step 3. Scrub The Wall
Grab the hand shower and spray water on the tiles as you scrub them. Start from the top and work your way down. A microfiber mop would be a better choice to reach the higher tiles. If you do not have one, grab a footstool and get to the upper section. Touch the tiles after you scrub them. If they feel smooth, you have done a good job cleaning them.
Step 4. Prepare 2:1 Hydrogen Peroxide Baking Soda Mix
Cleaning the tiles is only half of the task. You will also have to clean the grout lines that hold the tiles to the wall. Grouts are not easily accessible, so it would not be as simple as spraying the cleaner on top of it.
Instead of the vinegar-soap combination, we will recommend a stronger cleaner for the grout. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda. Stir it well with an old toothbrush until it becomes a paste.
Step 5. Apply The Paste
Dip the brush in the paste and move it along the grout lines. Spread a thick layer of the paste over the grout lines and leave it. Clean the toothbrush head in running water. Ten minutes later, use the toothbrush to scrub the grout lines. Douse water on the lines as you scrub out the filth from them.
Step 6. Dry The Wall
Take a piece of dry microfiber cloth and wipe the tiles dry. Do not forget about the grouts. If necessary, use a hairdryer to draw out the moisture. Turn on the bathroom exhaust fan to help with the drying.
What Type Of Tiles Do You Use?
Using a cleaner without considering the nature of your bathroom wall tiles is a bad idea. While some cleaning agents will work fine on some surfaces, they might be harmful to other materials. So, you should know what type of tiles you have in your bathroom and act accordingly.
Porcelain or ceramic tiles are the most common tiles we see in bathrooms. These are more heavy-duty than others. So, most cleaners will work fine on them. However, avoid using abrasive scrubbers since they can easily scratch the tiles. In fact, it is a rule of thumb! Do not use abrasive scrubbers on any tiles variants.
Cement tiles offer better aesthetics, but they are not as durable as ceramic tiles. Acidic cleaners can harm them. So, make sure to use a moderate-pH cleaner.
Glass tiles exhibit higher resilience to moisture and stains. Therefore, they are very popular choices for the bathroom. But, even glass tiles require regular cleaning, and when you are cleaning them, you will have to be wary of abrasive cleaners and tools since they are highly scratch-prone.
Granite, slate, quartz, travertine, marble, and limestone are the trendy natural stones options for bathroom walls. Whether you go for a high-polished finish or a raw appearance, these beauties will make your bathroom look exquisite. That said, they are quite delicate, and you need to adopt the right strategy to maintain their grace.
Natural stones are extremely vulnerable to acidic products, so you must choose the correct pH balance while cleaning natural stone walls. If you intend to use vinegar, dilute it before application. For in-store cleaners, check whether or not they are compatible with natural stones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Homemade Items For Cleaning Natural Stone Walls?
As we said, natural stones do not fare well when they come in contact with acidic cleaners. So, you have to be careful while choosing an appropriate cleaner for them. Wikihow recommends using a warm water-liquid soap mixture. Alternatively, you can use poultice powder and water.
Final Say
Knowing how to clean bathroom wall tiles properly is a necessary skill to master for any house owner. Without due knowledge, one might unwillingly ruin their beautiful bathroom walls using inappropriate cleaning agents.
Also, there is no need to use a store-bought product unless the tiles have not been cleaned for a while. For regular cleaning, simple household solutions are perfect. They are cost-effective and quite effective.