The bathroom is one of the most challenging places to clean in the house. This is because it is mostly wet and humid, causing mold and mildew to grow between the bathroom tiles if not cleaned properly. Luckily, you can clean bathroom tiles and grout and get rid of mold on walls without using a store-bought mold and mildew remover.
This article will explore some of the best ways to clean bathroom tiles and grout with just your household supplies.
But first, let’s learn more about mold and mildew, and why their presence in your house is bad.
What is Mold?
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold is a natural substance generally found in areas where there is moisture and oxygen. They are part of the Fungi kingdom and exist in moist places like plants, soil, and decaying matter. Mold also grows in buildings or on building materials when there is an excess of water or moisture. There are many types of molds and they come in many different colours including white, black, and orange.
Due to the similarities between mold and mildew, there needs to be more understanding regarding their differences. Simply put, mildew is a specific kind of mold. Both mold and mildew are fungi that like damp conditions to grow, and both are frequently found in homes, particularly in moist areas.
Why is Indoor Mold Bad?
The presence of mold and mildew in your home can be harmful to children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory issues. Some of the health risks associated with indoor mold include skin rashes, headaches, asthma attacks, a runny nose, sneezing, red, eyes, and dizziness.
Here are Some of the Best ways to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
- Method 1: Use a Solution of Water, Baking Soda and Vinegar to Clean Bathroom Tiles
- Method 2: Use a Solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
- Method 3: Use a Paste Made of Borax and Lemon Oil to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
- Method 4: Use a Steam Cleaner to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
- Method 5: Clean Grout with Oxygen Bleach Products
Method 1: Use a Solution of Water, Baking Soda and Vinegar to Clean Bathroom Tiles
Want to know the easiest way of cleaning tiles? Use a simple solution made of common household items like baking soda and vinegar.
Items Needed
- Water
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Spray Bottle
- Clean Toothbrush
Steps to Make and Use the Simple Cleaning Solution
- Take two tablespoons of baking soda and mix in just enough water to make a thick paste.
- Scoop a bit of the paste with a clean toothbrush and scrub it onto the tile grout in a circular motion. Ensure that the toothbrush is new and has hard bristles.
- Mix one part water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray the solution on the area scrubbed with the baking soda paste. Let the area bubble for about half an hour.
- Scrub the area with the toothbrush again, and then wash the area with clean water.
- Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Method 2: Use a Solution of Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
You can use a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide if the vinegar solution did not work up to your expectations. The benefit of hydrogen peroxide is that it will remove stains and kill any mold that is present, even if all the dirt isn’t removed.
Note: Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are a dangerous combination, so clean the area properly and wait a few days before using the hydrogen peroxide solution.
Items Required
- Warm Water
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Baking Soda
Steps to Make and Use the Cleaning Solution
- Combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to make a thin paste.
- Use a clean toothbrush to scoop up some of the paste and scrub the grout in a circular motion.
- Pour some more hydrogen peroxide into the area if necessary.
- Wash the area with warm water.
- Once done, wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Method 3: Use a Paste made of Borax and Lemon Oil to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
Another combination you can try for mold removal is a paste made of borax and lemon oil.
Items Required
- Borax
- Lemon Oil
- Liquid Soap
- Toothbrush
- Warm Water
Steps to Make and Use the Solution
- Combine 1/4 cup borax, 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil, and just enough liquid detergent to form a paste.
- With a clean toothbrush, scoop up some of the paste and scrub it onto the grout.
- Rinse the area with warm water once done.
- Wipe the area with a clean cloth.
Method 4: Use a Steam Cleaner to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
If you are looking for an eco-friendly way to attack mold and mildew that you see between your bathroom tiles, you can use a steam cleaner, as it is one of the best pieces of equipment for mold removal.
Items Required
- Steam Cleaner
Note: Even though the steam cleaner may not be able to remove all the dirt, it will loosen the dirt and debris, making it easier for you to clean the grout with other methods.
Steps to Clean Grout with a Steam Cleaner
- Attach a thin and pointed nozzle with a brush attachment to your steam cleaner.
- Point the nozzle at the tile grout and apply a continuous stream of steam.
- Continue doing this as you go over all the grout in your bathroom.
Besides tiles and grout, other parts of the bathroom need your attention, such as the bathroom toilet, sink, bathtub, etc. There are various ways in which you can spruce up your bathroom.
Method 5: Clean Grout with Oxygen Bleach Products
These products are made of sodium percarbonate, a compound made from hydrogen peroxide and soda crystals. You can find this substance in shops under different brand names like OxiClean, Bio Kleen, Oxi Magic, etc. Before moving forward to know how to clean tile grout with bleach, don’t skip the notes given below.
Note:
- Don’t use these bleach products if your bathroom has coloured grout.
- These products give off strong toxic fumes, so make sure that the bathroom is properly ventilated before using them.
- Always use gloves when using these products. Avoid skin contact.
- Test the product on a small area before using it to make sure that the grout doesn’t erode, get discoloured, or damaged.
Items Required
- Oxygen Bleach Product
- Water
- Clean Toothbrush
Steps to Use Oxygen Bleach Products
- Read the label for the manufacturer’s directions and mix the product with water accordingly.
- Apply the mixture to the area plagued by mold and mildew and let it sit for about an hour.
- Scrub the area with a clean toothbrush and then rinse the area with water.
Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout with Commercial Grout Cleaner and Whitener
Nowadays, you will find plenty of products made specially to help you clean grout. Some of the commercially available tile grout cleaners are Good Gone Grout, Tilex Tile and Grout, Outrageous, etc.
Each of these products has a different method of use, so be sure to read the instructions carefully before cleaning your bathroom tiles.
If all these methods fail to remove stains and dirt from the grout between your tiles, the last resort would be staining.
Give a New Look to the Grout by Staining Them
You can get various kinds of colourants in the market if you want to stain your grout to make it look better or even brand new. Read and understand the manufacturer’s instructions before use. However, you can use the below-listed steps to stain them.
Note: Ensure that the area is clean before application. To be on the safer side, clean the grout with your preferred grout cleaner and allow the area to dry overnight.
Items Required
- Grout colourant
- Clean toothbrush or grout brush
- container
- paper towel
Steps to Stain Your Grout
- Pour some grout colourant into a small container.
- With a clean toothbrush or grout brush, dip into the colorant and apply it to the grout. Use even back-and-forth strokes when applying the colourant.
- Wipe off excess colourant with a paper towel.
- Allow the product to dry according to the instructions on the label.
One of the best ways, however, to keep mold out of the grout between your bathroom tiles is to keep it clean from Day 1.
If you are curious about the function of the grout between the tiles, read our article on the same.
Here are Some Quick and Easy Methods for Cleaning Tiles and Grout
- Wipe with a clean cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol once a week. This will prevent any growth of mold.
- Spray the grout with a mold inhibitor. You can make different solutions yourself by mixing water with different ingredients like vinegar and tea tree oil or using pure hydrogen peroxide.
Make Mold Inhibitors by Mixing Water with Vinegar or Tea Tree Oil
Solution 1 – One part vinegar and one part water.
Solution 2 – Water mixed with 15 to 20 drops of tea tree oil.
Use an old towel or squeegee to wipe the bathroom wall tiles and bathroom floor tiles after every shower and bath to keep the grout free of water.
- Use an exhaust fan to keep excess moisture from accumulating on your bathroom tiles during a hot shower or bath. If you don’t have one, open up the bathroom windows or keep the door open after your shower and use a standing fan to blow out the water vapor-heavy air.
- Seal the grout to protect it from moisture and dirt and to prevent the growth of mold or mildew. Ideally, grout should be re-sealed once every five years. Use a paintbrush to apply the sealant along the grout lines and allow it to dry. Once dried, wipe off the sealant from the tiles diagonally with a damp sponge or cloth and allow the product to cure for three to four hours.
Now that you know how to clean bathroom tiles and grout and get rid of mold from your bathrooms, we hope you will try out some of these methods for cleaning tiles. Let us know which method worked best for you or which ones didn’t.
If you want to know how to keep different types of tiles clean, don’t miss our blog.
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Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.