How to Make Tile Cleaner

Built-up soap scum, stains and cooking grease can make your tile surfaces unsightly and discolor them over the course of time. This inexpensive and easy to follow formula will yield approximately one gallon of disinfecting cleaner that will make those kitchen counters and bathroom tiles shine like new again. Since you are also only making a batch at a time and immediately using it, this eliminates the danger of storing a plethora of store bought chemical cleaners under the kitchen or bathroom sink.

Things You'll Need

• 1 gallon bucket
• Measuring cup
• Rubber gloves
• A large sponge
• Soft cleaning cloth
• A plastic squirt bottle
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of ammonia
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• A large wooden stir stick

Instructions

1. Fill the bucket with 1 gallon of warm water from the tap.

2. Pour in 1 cup of ammonia.

3. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda.

4. Stir until the baking soda has completely dissolved in the liquid.

5. Put on rubber gloves and dip the sponge into the cleaner. Apply to the tile surface with the sponge and scrub gently.

6. Spritz the surface you have just cleaned with cold water and wipe dry with cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make sure you are working in a well ventilated area; the fumes from the ammonia can be pretty strong.

• If the room you're working in doesn't have a window, set up a small portable fan to keep the air circulating while you are cleaning.

• If your tile surfaces have been neglected for some time, it's going to take some extra scrubbing initially to remove the residue. Once it has been cleaned, though, a regular maintenance schedule, will keep things nicely under control.

• Wooden stir sticks can be purchased at a hardware store or any venue that sells paint.