Over time, soap splatters, dirt, and grime accumulate in your shower, so knowing how to clean your shower tiles is essential. A filmy layer forms when the fatty ingredients in bath soaps and body washes react with minerals in the water and cling to tile surfaces. To make matters worse, high humidity in bathrooms provides an ideal breeding ground for mildew spores, which settle on the grout and feed on soap scum. Fortunately, with regular cleaning and common household cleaners, you can keep your shower tiles looking spotless.
Considerations Before You Get Started
It’s essential to identify the type of tile in your shower before choosing a cleaning method. Generally, avoid abrasive cleaners and tools like wire brushes, pumice stones, and steel wool, as they can scratch tiles. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are more durable and can handle acidic solutions like a 50-50 vinegar and water mix or a 50-50 lemon juice and water solution.
For natural stone tiles, be cautious with soap scum removal solutions. Natural stone can scratch and erode more easily than ceramic and porcelain. Avoid using acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice, as they can damage the surface. Instead, opt for a gentle solution, like mild soap and water.
How Often to Clean Your Shower Tiles
Aim to clean your shower thoroughly every week. However, if weekly cleaning is challenging, there are steps you can take daily to reduce buildup. After each shower, spend about 60 seconds wiping down the tile walls and floor with a bath towel or squeegee. This quick routine helps remove soil, prevent streaks, and reduce moisture, which discourages mildew growth.
For guest bathrooms, clean the shower immediately after guests leave. If a shower is used infrequently, a monthly cleaning is generally sufficient to prevent buildup on tiles and grout.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools:
Sponge or plastic mesh scrubber
Squeegee
Rubber gloves
Eye protection
Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
Plastic bucket
Microfiber cloths
Spray bottle
Plastic scraper or old credit card
Small bowl
Materials:
Baking soda
Distilled white vinegar
Chlorine bleach
Oxygen bleach powder
Table salt
Mild dishwashing liquid or natural stone cleaner
Lemon juice
Vegetable oil
Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
Hydrogen peroxide
Instructions
How to Clean Ceramic Shower Tiles
1. Empty the Shower and Improve Ventilation
Remove all items from the shower, including shampoo bottles, soaps, razors, and poufs. Wipe down each item with a cloth dipped in hot water to remove any residue. Clear hair from the drain. Open windows and turn on the bathroom fan to ventilate any fumes from cleaning supplies. Wet the walls and floor with a handheld showerhead or a bucket.
2. Treat Mildew on Grout
If there’s mildew or mold on the grout, treat this area first. For minor mildew, use distilled white vinegar and baking soda.
Spray the grout with undiluted vinegar and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Make a paste with baking soda and a few drops of water.
Scrub the mildewed area with a small soft-bristled brush.
Rinse well.
For extensive mildew, use chlorine bleach (do not mix it with vinegar to avoid toxic fumes):
Mix 2 parts warm water with 1 part chlorine bleach in a bucket.
Wearing gloves, apply the solution to the grout with a sponge.
Let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a soft-bristled brush.
Rinse well with hot water.
Oxygen bleach powder is effective for stain removal but won’t kill mold spores. Make a paste, let it dry on the grout, then scrub and rinse.
3. Remove Soap Scum
Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of vinegar in a bowl (it will fizz).
Apply the paste to the tiles and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Wipe away the paste and soap scum with a damp microfiber cloth.
If soap scum is heavy, apply the paste, wait 15 minutes, then scrub with table salt for extra abrasion. Rinse from the top down and dry the tiles with a squeegee or towel to prevent streaks.
4. Remove Tough Stains
Rust: Make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda, apply to the stain, let sit for 30 minutes, scrub, and rinse. For darker stains, use a commercial rust remover containing oxalic acid. Avoid chlorine bleach, as it can set rust stains permanently.
Sticky Adhesives: Saturate the adhesive with vegetable oil using a paper towel. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then scrape with a plastic scraper or old credit card. If stickiness remains, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball.
How to Clean Stone Shower Tiles
For natural stone tiles (marble, granite, slate, etc.), avoid acid-based cleaners, as they can damage the finish and cause a dull appearance. Use a mild cleaner and clean weekly to prevent soap scum buildup.
1. Empty the Shower and Improve Ventilation
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