Knowing how to clean bathroom tiles can make a significant difference to the long term appearance and hygiene of your bathroom.
Bathroom tiles face a constant assault from soap scum, limescale, hard water marks and mould. Without a regular cleaning routine, even the most beautiful tiles can start to look tired and dull.
Whether you have ceramic wall tiles, porcelain floor tiles, or a combination of both, this covers everything you need to know about cleaning bathroom tiles properly, from routine maintenance to tackling stubborn grout stains.
The Professional Tile Cleaning Toolkit: What You’ll Need
Before you start, gather the following:
- A soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
- A microfibre cloth or non-abrasive sponge
- A spray bottle
- White vinegar or a pH-neutral tile cleaner
- Bicarbonate of soda
- A grout brush
- Warm water
- Rubber gloves
Important: Avoid abrasive scourers, wire brushes or bleach based products on coloured grout, as these can strip sealants and cause permanent discolouration.
How To Clean Bathroom Floor Tiles
Bathroom floor tiles take more punishment than wall tiles, collecting soap residue, hair and general foot traffic grime.
Start by sweeping or vacuuming to remove loose debris, then mop with a diluted pH-neutral cleaner or a white vinegar and warm water solution, working in sections and rinsing the mop regularly.
For textured or matt floor tiles, use a soft-bristle brush to work the solution into the surface, as flat mopping alone will not reach into the texture where dirt settles.
Avoid leaving standing water on the floor, particularly around grout lines, as prolonged moisture encourages mould growth.
Once clean, dry the floor with a cloth or allow it to air dry fully with the door open.
How To Clean Bathroom Wall Tiles
Wall tiles are most affected by soap scum, toothpaste splashes and limescale from shower spray and condensation.
A spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and warm water is ideal for regular maintenance. Spritz the surface, leave for a couple of minutes, then wipe down with a damp microfibre cloth and dry immediately to prevent streaking.
Pay particular attention to the areas directly around taps and shower fittings, where limescale tends to build up fastest.
For glazed ceramic or porcelain wall tiles, a non-abrasive sponge is sufficient.
Avoid anything scratchy that could dull the glaze over time. If your wall tiles are natural stone, switch to a stone-safe cleaner and steer clear of anything acidic.
Cleaning Tile Grout Lines
Cleaning grout between tiles is often the most time-consuming part of the process, but it makes a visible difference to the overall finish of your bathroom.
Make a paste from two parts bicarbonate of soda and one part water. Apply it along the grout lines and leave it for five minutes. Then spray a small amount of white vinegar over the paste. You will see it fizz, which helps to loosen embedded dirt. Use a grout brush or old toothbrush to scrub along the lines, then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
For heavily stained grout, a dedicated grout cleaner or an oxygen-based whitener will give better results than a home remedy. Sometimes, lemon juice mixed with baking soda can also prove very effective on tough grout stains.
Always test on a small area first if the grout has been previously treated or sealed.
Specific Tiles When Cleaning Different Types of Bathroom Tiles
Similar to other parts of your home or commercial premises, the approach to cleaning will also depend on the material in question. For tiles, this can include a mixture of natural materials or tiles which are made to look like other materials but are made from different substances.
If in doubt, always consult your manufacturer guidance as to how the tiles you have installed need to be cleaned, especially if they are a high grade or specialist material.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
The most common choice in UK bathrooms, ceramic and porcelain tiles are relatively straightforward to clean. They respond well to diluted vinegar, pH-neutral cleaners, and bicarbonate of soda pastes for grout. Avoid highly abrasive products on glazed surfaces.
Natural Stone Tiles
Marble, travertine, limestone, and slate require more careful maintenance. Always use a product specifically formulated for natural stone. These materials are porous and can be permanently damaged by acidic cleaners, bleach, or anything with a very high or low pH. Reseal natural stone tiles annually to maintain their stain resistance.
Encaustic and Patterned Cement Tiles
Encaustic tiles have an unglazed, porous surface that absorbs liquid quickly. Clean with a mild, neutral cleaner and a damp cloth. Avoid soaking the surface and never use steam cleaners or acidic solutions. Regular sealing is essential.
How To Prevent Bathroom Tiles From Getting Dirty Quickly
Don't let all that effort in cleaning your bathroom tiles be short lived!
Instead, these simple habits will significantly reduce the frequency of deep cleaning that's required:
- Ventilate the bathroom during and after showers to reduce moisture and prevent mould growth on grout
- Consider using a humidifier to also reduce moisture in conjunction with a bathroom extractor fan
- Wipe down wall tiles after bathing using a squeegee or dry cloth
- Apply a grout sealer once a year to help repel water and staining
- Address limescale promptly before it becomes heavy build-up
- Dry the floor after mopping rather than leaving standing water
Discover Commercial Bathroom Services By Inspired Washrooms
The condition of bathroom tiles are important, so we hope our above tips on keeping yours clean have proved useful.
However, if the tiles in your commercial bathroom or washroom are past their best, Inspired Washrooms can help.
Our team of commercial designers and fit-out specialists are passionate about creating spaces which look good and inspire. Whether you're a local swimming bath or own a retail store, we have all the skills and resources to refurbish your washroom to meet your needs and business growth.
Inspired Washrooms is based in Nottingham and we install commercial bathrooms across the UK.
For a free quote for a commercial bathroom installation or refurbishment, please get in touch or give us a call on 0115 811 4242.