Bathroom Tile Care

Chances are there is tile somewhere in your bathroom. Whether the floor, shower, or even your vanity top is tile, you need to learn how to take care of it properly. Because your bathroom tile is not only exposed to dirt, but to soap scum and unusual spills, it never hurt to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve to deal with expected and unexpected build up and stains.

Keeping Your Bathroom Tile Clean

Your tile can be either glazed with glass for gloss or unglazed. In most cases you can clean both types with warm water and a soft cloth or mop on a daily basis. Mild detergent and water will clean larger messes off your tile in no time. Make sure to rinse your tile thoroughly, as detergent can leave residue. Unglazed tile can be cleaned with a mildly abrasive cleaner, but glazed tile may scratch. Stains on your bathroom tile can be remove with a variety of methods:

• Soap scum - Mix ½ cup water softener, 2T rottenstone (can be found at hardware stores), and 1 cup of water OR 1-2 tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate (find anywhere that sells paint) and 1 gallon of water. Use a sponge to clean and be sure to rinse thoroughly.
  
  
• Dark stains - Apply liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain and leave for a few hours. Scrub, if not completely removed and rinse completely.
  
  
• Mildew - Use a soft bristle brush to apply a mixture of chloride bleach and water.
  
  
• Hard stains, ie. Ink, etc. - apply chloride bleach directly to stain.
  
  
• Grease - 10% sodium carbonate (soda ash or washing soda) and water mixture.
  
  
• Rust - on unglazed tile only. 5% hydrochloric acid and water.
  
  
• Nail polish - Apply a paper towel soaked in acetone nail polish remover to the area and let sit for a few minutes. You can then scrap up the polish.
  
  
• Cigarette burns - Can be removed by lightly scrubbing with steel wool.
  
  

When working with any chemicals, be sure to wear rubber gloves and keep your bathroom well ventilated.

Taking Care of Your Grout

Cleaning your grout can be tricky. Whether on your bathroom vanity or the floor, it is best to clean the grout around your bathroom tiles with a mild detergent and water. You can use a solution of half water, half hydrogen peroxide on white grout to combat tough stains. Unfortunately, bleaches (hydrogen peroxide is a bleach) and acids can break down grout, so use this solution with care and be sure to reseal your grout when you are done. Colored grout can be cleaned with shaving cream, but be sure to test a section of your bathroom tiles to check for discoloration before you cover your entire bathroom in shaving cream.

By taking good care of your bathroom tile on a regular basis, you should be able to avoid huge cleaning projects that involve a lot of complicated chemicals. Just in case, you can use the above tips to get your tile in great shape.