How to Clean Porcelain Shower Tile
The biggest mistake people make when cleaning porcelain tile is regularly using harsh chemicals and tools, according to Marthstewart.com. Harsh chemicals such as bleach may discolor the grout that holds porcelain shower tile together, and tools like stiff brushes can scratch the surface of the tile and make it appear dull. Fortunately, by using the right kind of cleansers and utilizing simple cleaning techniques daily and weekly, you can keep your porcelain shower tile clean and in good repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Small squeegee or dry towel
- pH-neutral cleanser
- Soft sponge
- Warm water
- Old toothbrush
- Dry cloth or towel
- Grout sealer (optional)
- Alkaline cleanser (optional)
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a small squeegee or towel to remove the water from your porcelain tile after every shower to help prevent mold growth and keep soap scum and lime deposits from accumulating on the surface, recommends Merrymaids.com.
-
2
Clean your porcelain shower tile once per week with a pH-neutral cleanser. Cleansers that are pH-neutral are not too harsh to use regularly on porcelain tile, according to Marthastewart.com. Wet a soft sponge with warm water, and apply the pH-neutral cleanser to the sponge, using the amount recommended on the bottle label.
-
-
3
Scrub the shower tile with the sponge and pH-neutral cleanser.
-
4
Ring out and re-wet the sponge frequently to avoid redistribution of dirt. Apply more pH-neutral cleanser per the bottle label. If you use too much cleanser your tile will appear dull and dirty.
-
5
Use an old toothbrush and the same pH-neutral cleanser to scrub the grout in between the porcelain shower tile.
-
6
Rinse the grout and the tile thoroughly with fresh water.
-
7
Dry the grout and porcelain shower tile well with a clean, dry cloth or towel.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If your tile has mildew or soap scum buildup, use an all-purpose, alkaline household cleaner. Scrub the shower tile and the grout gently with a soft-bristle brush and the cleaner. Rinse well with clean water, and dry with a clean towel. Use alkaline cleaners only as needed, as regular use may damage porcelain tile.
You can purchase pH-neutral and alkaline cleansers at a janitorial supply store or home improvement store.
Consider using a grout-sealer to keep dirt from staining your grout. You will only need to apply the grout-sealer once per year, depending upon the brand. You can find grout sealers at janitorial supply shops.
Make sure you use the same cleaner on both the porcelain tile and the grout to prevent discoloration, recommends Marthastewart.com.
Never use steel wool scrub pads on porcelain tile, as they can damage the tile.
Do not use ammonia to clean porcelain tile or grout, as it is too harsh and will not get rid of mold.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit striped towel 1 image by dana nicolescu from Fotolia.com
