It is now a trend to have your bathroom tiled to add elegance, beauty and plushness with a vibrant look to it.
Though, having your bathroom tiled is quite good but having to maintain it can become a huge problem.
The bathroom is a section of your apartment that accommodates all kinds of impurities, hence having it cleaned always is necessary.
But then, cleaning can become a whole day’s job if your bathroom has the wrong tiles; which is why it is important to fix easy-to-clean tiles in your bathroom.
Tiles are of different shapes, sizes and designs.
Likewise, they are of different makeup.
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Selecting the right tile for your bathroom can be challenging since the market is filled with numerous options.
If you seem not sure of the right tile your bathroom needs, here are some easy-to-clean tiles.
The Natural Stone tiles
Natural stone tiles have been in use for quite a while now.
In fact, their existence can be dated as far back as the times when castles were in vogue.
The ability of these tiles to stand the test of time and withstand wear and tear has earned them more popularity today.
Natural stone tiles have beautiful exceptional colors and unique pattern from which you can make your pick.
This versatility in colors and patterns is as a result of the fact that they are formed from nature.
Natural stone tiles include: marble, travertine granite, limestone, shell stone, onyx, quartz, serpentine marble, etc.
They are one of the easiest-to-clean tiles because their surfaces do not hold hair, dust or skin.
But they can be very porous and quick to accumulate soap scum and dust particles.
How do you clean natural stone tiles in a bathroom?
The process is a smooth and easy one
- Fill a plastic bucket with 1 gallon of water and add half cup of household ammonia; mix the solution very well
- Get a soft cloth and dampen in the solution. Wipe the cloth over any soap scum and rinse tiles thoroughly with clean water.
- Get a sponge and dampen with warm water, apply few drops of natural stone soap cleanser and wipe over the tiles to remove dirt and debris.
- Get a soft-bristled brush to scrub accumulated dirt in the grout lines.
- Rinse the tiles thoroughly with clean water and dry with soft cloth.
Polished porcelain tile
Polished porcelain tiles have caught the eyes of many and can be found in so many households.
This is as a result of their durability and excellent stain and water resistance.
These tiles are made from finer and denser clay, making them tougher and superbly resistant to stains.
Also, they are very fast and easy to clean so you will not have a problem maintaining them.
Polished porcelain tiles are of two basic types: Glazed porcelain tiles and Through-bodied porcelain tiles
The glazed porcelain tiles are rigid, glossy and have water-resilient surfaces while the through-bodied porcelain tiles on the other hand are naturally hard because they are composed of sand, clay and other natural minerals; they resist chips and scratches.
How to clean polished porcelain tiles in a bathroom
Whether glazed porcelain tiles or through-bodied porcelain tiles, the cleaning process is an easy one
- Get rid of dust and dirt using a broom or vacuum cleaner.
- Apply a commercial cleanser or vinegar solution to the floor’s surface.
- Wait for some minutes for the vinegar solution to soften hardened dirt and tough sediments.
- Then scrub using a soft-bristled brush
- Mop with hot water before the cleanser dries up
- Dry with a clean soft cloth or towel
Glass tiles
This type has been one of the oldest kind of tiles and what is still keeping it in the market is not only because of its plushness or versatility but also because of its easy-to-maintain features.
Glass tiles are very stylish.
They come in different designs, colors and shapes. They are now one of the top-rated options for bathrooms décor.
This is as a result of the fact that they are resistant to stains, moisture, and humidity.
Glass tiles are one of the easiest tiles to clean because their surfaces are less porous and water-resistant; this means they do not absorb much dirt.
How to clean glass tiles in a shower
- Make a water and vinegar solution of equal proportions.
- Spray the solution on the tiles and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Then scrub with a soft-bristled brush and clean grout with the help of an old toothbrush.
- Rinse with cold water and clean with a dry soft cloth
If the glass tiles have stubborn stains caused by hard water, calcium or magnesium deposits, you use a vinegar and baking soda mixture. Spray the vinegar over the stained areas and sprinkle the sodium bicarbonate over the vinegar, then wait till it bubbles.
Wash the tiles with cold water and wipe dry.
Luxury vinyl tiles
Luxury vinyl tile is a popular choice for the modern-day bathrooms.
It is a high end product – affordable, attractive looks, cushioned core and trapped warmth.
This tile is easy to walk on and above all, very easy to clean and maintain.
Luxury vinyl tiles can be installed directly over an existing floor, so it is a good option for your bathroom when you are remodeling your home. These tiles feel soft and warm under your feet, even on cold days.
Luxury vinyl tiles have water-proof and water-resistant features which make them ideal for places like bathrooms where water is always a factor.
If you are remodeling your bathroom, make sure the subfloor is cleaned and spotless before fixing luxury vinyl tiles on them; this is due to the fact that luxury vinyl tiles will show every speck of dirt underneath it.
How to clean luxury vinyl tiles in a bathroom
There are several ways you can go about cleaning these tiles in your bathroom.
Likewise, there are various home-cleaning agents you can use.
Also, the method of cleaning you choose depends on how soiled the tiles are.
For everyday washing:
- Make a vinegar solution by mixing a cup of apple cider vinegar with a gallon of hot water, then mop the tiles with this solution. You can add few drops of jojoba oil to the solution for the tiles to look shiny. If you do not want to use vinegar, then get the vinyl floor cleanser.
Deep cleaning
- Add a tablespoon of dish soap to your apple cider vinegar solution. Spray the tiles with it and gently scrub using a mop made with nylon scrub bristles.
If there are stains on the tiles that seem not to go away
- Make a baking soda paste with water, then use a soft cloth to rub it over the affected area.
Since you have these tiles in the bathroom, having makeup or pigmented stains is a normal occurrence. To remove such stain
- Dab a soft cloth in running alcohol and rub it over the stains. If the stain comes from a nail polish, try acetone-free fingernail polish remover.
After cleaning the stains, rinse the tiles with clean water to get rid of residues from soap and other things.
Ceramic tiles
This is similar to the porcelain tiles discussed above but just that it is cheaper and less dense.
Ceramic tiles are also popularly used in the bathrooms because of their ability to resist water.
They are made of clay and other natural minerals, which are then fired in a kiln. They are affordable tiles that are easy to install, maintain and clean.
Ceramic tiles need to be well taken care of to maintain their sheen. Having them installed in the shower especially, exposes them to impurities like soap scum, hard water deposits and makeup stains; the result is a grungy-looking dirty shower.
You can clean ceramic tiles with over-the-counter cleanser or a homemade cleanser.
How to clean ceramic tiles in the bathroom
Everyday cleaning
Wiping down the wall daily prevents dirts from building up and causing a difficult cleaning process.
Daily cleaning does not only keep your shower glossy and clean but also keep mold and mildew at bay. To get rid of mold and mildew in a ceramic tile bathroom,
- Get a spray bottle and fill it with 2 cups of water and 2 teaspoons of trea tea oil.
- Shake the mixture well and spray on the tiles. Then clean after the vinegar solution has dried up.
Deep cleaning
- To remove soap scum and hard water deposit, make a solution of ½ cup of washing soda, two tablespoons of rottenstone and 1 cup of hot water.
- Then dip a sponge in the solution and scrub the shower floor and walls, after which you rinse with cool water.
To give the ceramic tiles a shiny finish, polish with club soda after the cleaning process.
Pour the club soda in a bucket and wipe the tiles with it without rinsing.
Conclusion
Irrespective of the tiles you might pick for your bathroom, daily maintenance is the key.
Cleaning your bathroom tiles regularly is the only way to maintain the look and make them last long.