How to - Clean Bathroom Tiles

Cleaning the bathroom tiles is essential for the general hygiene and safety of this room. The problem is that bathroom tiles and especially the spaces in between tend to hold onto moisture. This warm damp space makes for the perfect environment for bacteria to develop and worse still - mould and mildew to grow. Luckily, this can be avoided fairly easily with regular care and maintenance and you can enjoy a clean, hygienic and safe bathroom for yourself and your family. So here is what you will need to do to take care of your tiles.

1.    A silicone solution is essential. Sealing the gaps between the bathroom tiles with silicone will prevent moisture from seeping into the wall in these places and eroding it. Furthermore, if water is allowed to seep in, it will take longer to dry and allow for the development of mildew and mould. This is exactly what you do not want to happen. This is why laying down a silicone solution early on will save you a lot of problems further on.

2.    The second essential habit is to always turn on the bathroom fan after using the bathroom. This may seem trivial; however, the bathroom fan will dry out the room twice as fast as it would normally. This is  crucial, as the longer your bathroom remains wet, the higher the chance of mildew or mould forming on the tiles. By all means, do not leave the bathroom fan constantly on, but do not forget to turn it on at least for half an hour after each time you take a shower or bath. Remember that this also helps the accumulated steam to escape and it generally makes this space more pleasant.

3.    Another routine habit that you should get into is washing off the bathroom tiles after each shower. This is extremely simple, you can do it by simply pointing the showerhead at the tiles and rinsing off any soapy residue. However, it is a very useful habit to foster, since the soapy residue can, in fact aid the development of bacteria and decrease the overall state of your bathroom.

4.    Cleaning lime is something that you may be faced with from time to time. Minor lime buildups are generally very easy to remove. All that you will need is some sort of acidic substance - vinegar works wonders, for example. You will need to scrub the lime with a brush, soaked with vinegar and then wash the remaining residue with an all purpose cleaner. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may also need to scrub off the remaining lime with a floor brush. Be careful and do this gently, so as not to scratch the surface of the tiles.

5.    Occasionally, despite your best efforts mould or mildew might accumulate on your tiles. When this happens, do not despair. This does not mean that you will necessarily have to hire a professional cleaner. Mould killers or mould cleaning products are readily available at any home goods store - simply spray the spot of the infestation, wait for thirty minutes or however long the packaging states, then rinse and, if necessary, scrub off any residue. Be aware however, that mould cleaners are toxic, so you should air out the bathroom afterwards. You should avoid entering this space for about twenty-four hours after using a mould killer on the tiles.