Scrubbing secrets on how to clean bathroom tiles

Keeping your bathroom clean can sometimes seem like one of those endless tasks. Once you've cleaned the toilet, there's the sink to do, and once you've cleaned the sink, it's onto those pesky tiles. But, what if we told you there's a way to keep your bathroom tiles looking cleaner for longer, so you don't feel like you're spending all your precious time scrubbing your bathroom.

Whether you're a seasoned cleaning aficionado or a novice, with the right products, elbow grease, and a little know-how, prepare to transform your bathroom into a sanctuary of cleanliness.

What do I need to clean my bathroom tiles?

With these simple supplies at your disposal, you'll be well-equipped to tackle even the toughest bathroom tiles with confidence.

• All-purpose cleaner or tile cleaner
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Bucket
• Grout brush (or an unused toothbrush)
• Sponge
• Squeegee
• Microfibre cloth

How do I clean my bathroom tiles?

Here's our step-by-step guide on how to give your bathroom tiles a deep clean.

Step one: Dust

Begin by dry sweeping and dusting your tiles to remove any dirt, hair or debris. For your shower tiles, use a microfibre cloth, and for your floor tiles use a vacuum cleaner.

Step two: Cleaning solutions

There's two options in this step, either choose a shop-bought cleaner based on the type of tiles you have (ceramic, porcelain, natural stone), or create a homemade cleaning product.

For a basic tile cleaning solution, mix equal parts water and vinegar for a natural and effective fix. Alternatively, for areas that require a little more elbow grease (maybe they're slightly grubbier, or in the grout), make a paste with baking soda/bicarbonate of soda and water. Put it on the stained area and let it sit for ideally 30 minutes before scrubbing.

Step three: Wait...

For step three, go and grab yourself a cup of tea while you allow the cleaning products to sit for a few moments to get into all those dirty areas.

Step four: Scrub

Once you've left the product for a little while, grab a soft-bristled brush, grout cleaner and an old toothbrush and scrub your tiles. The best way to do this is to work in circular motions and make sure to press harder in grout lines and corners.

Step five: Rinse

To ensure that there's no cleaning product left on the surface of your tiles, rinse them with clean water. Rinsing the tiles on your bath or shower wall is easy, but for a helping hand on floor tiles or sink tiles, use a sponge to remove any left residue.

Step six: Dry

Wet tiles, especially floor ones, are a massive hazard. Be sure to dry your tiles with a clean, dry microfibre cloth or towel to stop standing water and streaks. In your shower, use a squeegee to get rid of any water that's still sitting on the tiles or shower door.

Can I use a steam cleaner on my bathroom tiles?

A steam cleaner works by pushing heated water through a nozzle, brush or other attachment. This is what creates the steam to help remove the germs from your bathroom or floor surfaces. Steam cleaning is gentle on different types of tile surfaces, so you don't need to worry about it being too aggressive and breaking your tiles. A handheld steam cleaner is also a great way of getting those pesky mould spores that lurk in places in your shower, like grout lines and corners. Just to be sure, read the manufacturer's instructions beforehand and test the steam cleaner on a small area of your tiles before doing the entire thing.

How often do I need to clean my bathroom?

It all depends how much your bathroom is used. As a general rule, it's probably a good idea to give your bathroom a clean at least once a week to prevent the build-up of grime, soap scum and mould. If your bathroom gets a lot of use, or is particularly damp, you might need to clean more often than this.

The most important takeaway is that a little bit of daily maintenance, whether that be a spray or a squeegee, can go a long way. This way you won't feel like the cleaning is getting on top of you, as you're doing it little by little.

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Gemma Lavers is Health and Fitness Writer at Bauer Media. She writes for brands such as Yours, What's The Best and Grazia. When Gemma's not writing you can find her attending Pilates and Yoga classes, shopping, or hopping on a plane and exploring new cultures.