How to Clean & Restore Shine on Bathroom Tiles

Dull, grungy bathroom tiles can mean the difference between a bathroom sanctuary and an unsanitary environment. Bathroom tiles lose their glow and shine through every-day tear and wear, as well as exposure to dirt, soap scum, water stains and other environmental aspects. Various techniques — from natural to heavy duty therapies — help restore shine to your tiles so that you can reclaim your bathroom haven.

Routine Care

Routine care and maintenance of your bathroom tiles helps preserve their characteristic sheen. Regularly wax or wax your tiles with 2 tablespoons of all-purpose cleanser blended into a gallon of hot water. For extra shine, dry the area with a microfiber cloth, buffing to a glossy finish. For bathtub tiles and other especially grimy areas, pour this solution into a spray bottle, spritz and wait at least 15 minutes for it to place. Wipe clean using a moist sponge to show bright, sparkling tiles.

Natural Solutions

Both baking soda and vinegar possess a variety of cleaning applications, including bathroom tiles. For a simple refresh, sprinkle baking soda liberally over your tiles and sweep away to simultaneously clean and deodorize. Heavily soiled areas reap a thorough wipe down with a cleaning solution of 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1/2 cup of ammonia and 1/4 cup of a borate detergent combined into a gallon of warm water. While natural solutions provide gentler options, wear gloves since these can be harsh on delicate skin.

Obtaining at Grout

Shiny tiles seem awful when adjacent to grungy grout. Clean stained grout by producing a natural paste of equal parts cream of tartar and lemon juice. Spot-clean particularly dirty areas with an old toothbrush to apply the paste before rinsing using a moist sponge. For larger areas, a wash brush with soft bristles avoids scratching or dulling the glazed surface. A mixture of equal parts baking soda, warm salt and water also efficiently cleans tile. Larger jobs may need stronger methods: all-purpose cleaners efficiently eliminate most grout stains, but be careful to seek out non-abrasive cleansers.

Rough Treatments

Hard water leaves tiles obscured by awful mineral deposits and soap scum. A lime scale remover — accessible at large supermarkets and discount department stores — effectively dissolves and removes the effects of hard water. Look for mild formulas that don’t strip protective tile finishes or cause harm to humans, pets or the environment. Warmed vinegar spritzed directly onto scaly deposits and left to sit, helps to loosen and eliminate these deposits without using harsh chemicals or abrasives.

Heavy Duty Shine

When you need heavy-duty shine in your bathroom tiles, then you can employ a hint of the housekeeping commerce: spray furniture wax or lemon oil above the surface and buff with a soft, microfiber cloth. When the furniture polish is totally buffed away, gleaming tiles remain. Avoid using furniture wax or lemon oil on shower and bathtub flooring, because these surfaces become dangerously slick with its program.

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