How to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout (And Keep Them Bright)
Few things sour the mood like bathroom tiles and grout in a sorry state. Grimy grout ruins what should be a relaxing shower and drags down the look of the whole room.
With tiles, the difference between dazzling and dingy usually comes down to the grout. The good news is that most bathroom tiles and grout can be brought back with a simple routine. Here’s how to clean bathroom tiles and grout properly, what to use (and what to avoid), and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Before You Start: Test First
Whatever you use, try it on a small, out-of-the-way patch first. Tiles and grout vary, and a product that works on one surface can mark another.
Treat Mould with Tea Tree Oil
Steamy bathrooms without enough airflow are perfect for mould. Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal that can help with light mould on tiles and grout. Mix about a teaspoon into a cup of water in a spray bottle, shake well, spray the affected areas, leave it for an hour, then wipe or scrub clean. Keep pets out of the room while you use it, as tea tree oil is toxic to cats and dogs. To keep mould from coming back, open a window or run the exhaust fan during and after every shower to bring the humidity down.
Use Shower Steam to Lift Soap Scum
In the bathroom, you’re usually dealing with soap scum on top of everyday dirt, and soap scum is harder to shift than it looks. Make it easier by spraying your shower walls and tiled floor with a mild, non-bleach bathroom cleaner, then running the hot water for a few minutes until steam builds up. The steam softens the residue, and the tiles wipe clean with a simple cloth.
How to Clean Grout in the Shower
Shower grout cops a lot of punishment. Cut a sponge into small cubes that fit between your tiles, dip them in bicarb soda (baking soda) and work them along the grout lines. Spritz with water, leave for up to an hour, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse well. Skip wire brushes and harsh scouring, which wear grout down over time.
Vinegar can help with stubborn soap scum, but use it sparingly and rinse it off well. Vinegar is acidic, and regular use can weaken cement-based grout and etch natural stone. Never mix vinegar or ammonia with bleach-based cleaners. Wondering about Jif? We’ve covered whether Jif is good for cleaning grout in our tile and grout cleaning tips.
How Often to Clean Bathroom Tiles and Grout
A quick wipe and a good airing after showers keeps things under control day to day. Give tiles and grout a proper clean every week or two, and book a professional deep clean about once a year to clear the build-up that home cleaning can’t reach.
When to Call a Professional
Some grout is past the point of home remedies: stains that come back straight after cleaning, grout that stays dark when it’s dry, or mould that has worked its way into the grout itself. That’s when a professional clean makes the difference. At Wizard Cleaning®, our team uses hot water extraction and professional-grade equipment to lift built-up grime and mould that home cleaning can’t shift, leaving tiles and grout much brighter and cleaner.
Ready to bring your bathroom back to life? Call us on 0400 634 609 to book a tile and grout clean, or send us an enquiry online.