How to Clean Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar
How to Clean Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar

How to Clean Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar

Bathroom tiles can get dirty and stained over time, especially in hard water or high-humidity areas. Soap scum, mineral deposits, mold, mildew, and dirt can make your tiles look dull and unappealing. Fortunately, you don’t need to use harsh chemicals or expensive products to clean your bathroom tiles. You can clean Bathroom tiles using vinegar, a natural and inexpensive ingredient you probably already have in your pantry.

This article will show you how to clean bathroom tiles with vinegar using different methods and tips. You will learn how to make a vinegar solution, clean tiles with vinegar and baking soda, clean tiles with vinegar and lemon juice, and clean shower tiles with vinegar. You will also learn some safety considerations and expert tips for clean bathroom tiles with vinegar.

How to Make a Vinegar Solution for Cleaning Tiles

Before cleaning your tiles with vinegar, you must make a diluted water solution. Diluting vinegar will make it less harsh on your tiles and reduce the smell of vinegar.

Here are the steps to make a vinegar solution for cleaning tiles:

  • Fill a spray bottle with equal parts of distilled white vinegar and warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap or essential oil for extra cleaning power and fragrance.
  • Shake the bottle well to mix the ingredients.
  • Label the bottle clearly as “vinegar solution” and store it in a cool, dark place away from children and pets.

You can use this vinegar solution to spray and wipe your tiles whenever they need quick cleaning. You can also use it to soak your tiles for deeper cleaning.

How to Clean Tiles with Vinegar and Baking Soda

One of the most effective ways to clean bathroom tiles with vinegar is to combine it with baking soda.

Baking soda is a natural abrasive that can help scrub stubborn stains and grime.

Baking soda also reacts with vinegar to create a fizzing action that can lift dirt from the tile surface.

Here are the steps to clean tiles with vinegar and baking soda:

  • Sprinkle baking soda generously over the tiles you want to clean. You can use a shaker bottle or a spoon to distribute the baking soda evenly.
  • Spray the vinegar solution over the baking soda until it starts to fizz.
  • Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes to work its magic.
  • Scrub the tiles with a brush or a sponge to remove the dirt and stains.
  • Rinse the tiles with warm water and wipe them dry with a soft cloth.

This method can clean tile floors, walls, countertops, backsplashes, and shower stalls. You can also use this method to clean tile grout by applying the mixture directly to the grout lines.

How to Clean Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Another way to clean bathroom tiles with vinegar is to add some lemon juice.

Lemon juice is a natural acid that can enhance the cleaning power of vinegar. Lemon juice can also help remove odors and stains from your tiles.

Here are the steps to clean tiles with vinegar and lemon juice:

  • Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a bowl or a cup.
  • Add one cup of distilled white vinegar and stir well.
  • Pour the mixture into a spray bottle or a bucket.
  • Spray or apply the mixture onto the tiles you want to clean.
  • Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to loosen the dirt and grime.
  • Wipe the tiles with a damp cloth or sponge.
  • Rinse the tiles with warm water and dry them with a soft cloth.

You can use this method to clean any tile except natural stone tiles. You can also use this method to add shine and freshness to your tiles.

How to Clean Shower Tiles with Vinegar

Cleaning shower tiles can be tricky because they are exposed to more moisture and soap scum than other tiles in your bathroom. However, you can still use vinegar to clean shower tiles effectively.

Here are some tips on how to clean shower tiles with vinegar:

  • Run a hot shower for a few minutes before you start cleaning to open up the pores of the tile material. This will help you reach more of the dirt and get a cleaner finish.
  • Clean grout before you clean shower tiles. The dirt from the grout will probably get onto the shower tiles, so you can wipe it all clean afterwards.
  • Use a squeegee or a microfiber cloth to remove excess water and soap scum from your shower tiles after every shower. This will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your shower tiles and make them easier to clean later.
  • Spray your shower tiles with vinegar solution once or twice weekly as part of your regular cleaning routine. This will help keep your shower tiles fresh and germ-free.
  • For tough tile-cleaning situations in your shower, such as soap scum buildup or calcium deposits, you can add some dishwashing soap or baking soda 

Safety Considerations for Cleaning Bathroom Tiles with Vinegar

While vinegar is a natural and safe cleaner, there are some things you should keep in mind when using it to clean your bathroom tiles.

Here are some safety considerations for cleaning bathroom tiles with vinegar:

  • Always wear gloves when handling vinegar, especially if you have sensitive skin or cuts on your hands. Vinegar can irritate your skin and cause dryness or burns.
  • Avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or other chemical cleaners. This can create toxic fumes that harm your health and damage your tiles. If you need to use bleach or another cleaner after the vinegar, rinse the tiles thoroughly with water first and ventilate the area well.
  • Test a small inconspicuous area of your tile before applying vinegar to the whole surface. This will help you check for any adverse reactions or color changes that vinegar might cause on your tile material or finish.
  • Use distilled white vinegar for cleaning tiles. Distilled white vinegar has a clear color and a mild smell that won’t stain or leave residues on your tiles. Other types of vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar, might have a darker color or a stronger smell that can affect your tiles.

Expert Tips for Cleaning Bathroom Tiles With Vinegar

To get the best results from cleaning your bathroom tiles with vinegar, you can follow some expert tips from professional cleaners and tile experts.

Here are some expert tips for cleaning bathroom tiles with vinegar:

  • Lynsey Queen of Clean, a cleaning expert and author, recommends using a microfibre cloth to wipe your tiles after spraying them with vinegar. She says microfibre cloths are gentle on tiles, removing dirt and grime without leaving streaks or lint.
  • Susan Stocker, a green cleaning expert and owner of Susan’s Green Cleaning, suggests adding lemon juice to your vinegar solution to boost its cleaning power and add some freshness to your bathroom. She says lemon juice can help remove odors and stains from your tiles and grout and disinfect them naturally.

Conclusion

Vinegar is a great natural cleaner that can help you keep your bathroom tiles clean and shiny. You can use vinegar alone or in combination with baking soda or lemon juice to remove dirt, grime, soap scum, and mineral deposits from your tiles.

However, you should be careful not to use vinegar on natural stone tiles, as it can damage them. Before using it on your tiles, dilute the vinegar with water and avoid mixing it with bleach or other chemical cleaners.

Following the methods and tips we shared in this article, you can clean bathroom tiles with vinegar safely and effectively. You can also save money and reduce waste by using this eco-friendly cleaner instead of buying commercial products. Try cleaning your bathroom tiles with vinegar today and see the difference!