Over an extended period of time, you can expect to see soap scum, mildew and mold build up on your shower and in the tile and grout in your bathroom. Even if you maintain good ventilation, this is just part of the reality of having a constantly used bathroom. It’s important that you take the proper steps to regularly clean and maintain your bathroom to prevent those problems from getting out of hand.
Of course, to avoid damaging your tile and grout, you’ll need to make sure you’re using cleaning products and equipment that are appropriately gentle. Here’s a quick overview of some of the methods and items you may want to give a try in your bathroom in Phoenix, AZ, including which scrub brushes are best for tile showers:
- Vinegar: Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and warm water and spray it onto the grout. Never use vinegar on stone or travertine—only porcelain or ceramic tile. Keep old towels or rags on the floor to catch any runoff, and let the solution stand for a bit before you scrub it with a stiff brush designed for the bathroom. You’ll want something a bit heavier duty than an old toothbrush. If the stains are particularly stubborn, you should add a small amount of dishwashing soap into the solution, let it sit for 15 minutes and then use a sponge to remove the grime. You can then rinse with clean water and dry with a squeegee.
- Baking soda: If the previous method doesn’t work, you can make a baking soda and water paste and apply it to the grout lines. Once the mixture is on the walls, spray with a vinegar and warm water solution and let it react with the paste. It should begin to foam up, and when the foaming stops you can use your stiff bristle brush to scrub, then rinse away with clean water when you’re done.
- Hydrogen peroxide: You can use hydrogen peroxide on shower tile grout. Put it into a spray bottle and spray it on the grout directly, or you can make it into a paste with baking soda and apply it to the walls, letting it sit before brushing away with your stiff bristle brush. We typically recommend using other methods first to avoid the harshness of this solution.
- Steam: You can use a steam cleaner to clean the tiles and grout. This is a very environmentally-friendly cleaning method. Steam cleaning brushes made with nylon are typically very safe for tiles and grout, but do not use brass scrub brushes, as this could damage the surface. Make sure you mop or sponge the tiles with a mild detergent to remove any loose dirt before you begin using the steam cleaner, as that debris could clog it up if left in place.
Interested in learning more about some of the best, most environmentally-friendly methods of cleaning your tile and grout? We encourage you to contact AZ BathMasters today about the best scrub brushes for tile showers in Phoenix, AZ and the other types of products you should use.