How to Clean Shower Tile

Co-authored by Filip Boksa

Cleaning your shower tiles is simple, but it may take some time depending on how dirty they are. You can use a commercial cleaning product to clean, or you can create your own cleaner out of a few ingredients that you likely already have in your home.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.} Start by pre-treating the tiles with a water-vinegar solution. Then apply a baking soda paste to the tiles and use a stiff bristle brush to scrub away scum, mildew, and grime. Prevent future buildup by drying your tiles four to fives times a week after showering.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Pre-Treating Soap Scum

1
Run your shower on a high temperature. Let the hot water run for at least 10 minutes. The hot water will open the tile’s pores, making it easier to clean.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
2
Mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water in a bowl. Mix the ingredients together in the bowl until they are well-combined. Then fill a spray bottle with the solution.^{[3]
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3
Spray the solution onto your shower tiles. Make sure to spray more solution onto dirtier areas, as well as the spaces in between the tiles, i.e., the grout.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
- Since you will be using this solution later on, do not use up all of the solution at this point, or make more solution as you clean.
4
Let the solution set for five minutes. This will loosen the soap scum. Depending on how dirty your tiles are, you may need to let the solution set for 30 minutes or longer.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
5
Scrub the soap scum. Use a stiff bristle brush or a grout brush to do this. This will further loosen the soap scum, making the tiles easier to clean.^{[6]
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6
Rinse with warm water. Do this by turning your shower on again. Use a lower temperature setting. However, the water should still be warm.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Fabricio Ferraz
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 16 August 2019.}
- Alternatively, you can use a bucket or a pitcher to rinse the tiles.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning the Tiles with a Baking Soda Paste

1
Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water in a bowl. Mix the baking soda and water together until it forms a thick paste. The paste should have a toothpaste-like consistency. If the mixture is thin, then keep adding more baking soda until it reaches the desired thickness.^{[8]
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- For tough stains, add hydrogen peroxide to the mix by substituting half of the water with peroxide. You can even add some dish soap.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Filip Boksa
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.}
- Alternatively, you can use a tile cleaner to clean your tiles if you do not want to use a baking soda paste.
2
Apply the paste with a sponge. Do this by spreading the paste over the tiles.^{[10]
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Research source} Make sure to apply a generous amount in between the tiles and on tough stains.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.}
3
Spray the paste with the vinegar solution. The vinegar will react with the baking soda, making it bubble. The vinegar helps the paste eat through the soap scum.^{[12]
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4
Scrub your tiles with a scrub brush. Use a stiff bristle brush or a grout brush.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} Scrub your tiles in a circular motion. Use pressure to remove tough stains and mildew from the tile, as well as when cleaning in between the tiles.^{[14]
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Research source}
- For small crevices, use a toothbrush.
5
Rinse with warm water. Use a bucket or pitcher to rinse your tiles. Pour the water over the tiles until all the soap and residue are removed.
- You may need to rinse your tiles three to five times.
6
Dry the tiles with a clean towel. This will prevent water from pooling in corners and crevices, which will help in the prevention of mold and mildew growth.^{[15]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Buildup

1
Spray the vinegar solution onto the tiles. Do this after you finish showering two to three times a week. This will help keep your shower tiles clean for a longer period of time.^{[16]
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- Keep a spray bottle labeled “shower spray” in your shower for easy access. If you have children, keep the bottle up high and out of reach.
2
Squeegee your tiles. Do this by keeping a squeegee in your bathroom. Squeegee your bathroom tiles five to seven times a week after showering.^{[17]
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- Make sure to squeegee corners and crevices.
3
Dry your tiles with a towel. Keep a specially designated towel handy in your bathroom to do this. Dry your tiles off five to seven times a week after showering.^{[18]
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Community Q&A

Question

Will this method work, and is it safe for septic systems?

Lojjik

Community Answer

Yes, baking soda and vinegar are common household ingredients that are considered to be septic safe.