One of the dirtiest jobs in the entire house is cleaning bathroom tile and grout. It’s an unpleasant task that often takes a bit of elbow grease to get properly done. Bathroom tile and grout gets very dirty from soap scum, body oil, dirt, mold, and mildew. Regular cleaning isn’t always enough to get it sparkling clean. Deciding what the problem is (mold, mildew, or soap scum.) will help you decide how to best treat it.
If the tile and grout has mold and mildew, you will need to use a solution of one part bleach and one part water. Spray on liberally, and let it sit for about a half hour before you rinse it off. A scrub brush can help things along—use an old toothbrush for tight spots.
Soap scum is best treated by spraying on a solution of ½ cup ammonia, ½ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup baking soda, and 1 gallon of warm water. Let the solution soak for a while, and watch the soap scum dissolve. You can easily wipe it off with a soft cloth!
Whenever using chemicals in your bathroom, be cautious of using proper ventilation and gloves. Be especially careful to never mix ammonia and bleach solutions—the fumes can be extremely toxic.
Once you get that tile and grout super clean, seal the grout with a clear sealant (repeat this every six months or so for best results). The secret to keeping your bathroom tile and grout super clean is regular attention! Don’t let things get out of hand and the dirty work won’t be so bad.
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