HOW TO CLEAN SHOWER TILES

Even the most beautiful bathroom tiles can be tarnished by chalky white deposits of calcium and magnesium, also known as hard water. You may also be familiar with soap scum, the crusty, waxy film that forms when hard water (calcium and magnesium) mixes with soap. The textured nature of soap scum helps trap bacteria, body oils, and dead skin cells, which gives it a slimier feel than hard water buildup.

Then there's mold and mildew growth, which is slimy and dotted with black, pink, or green stains. It grows where moisture lingers longest in the shower, such as unsealed grout lines that have absorbed water.

To help prevent soap scum and dirt accumulation in the shower, try drying off the tiles after each shower to slow buildup. Use a rubber squeegee or microfiber towel to remove remaining water spots and leave your tiles sparkling clean.

You can also switch to using a liquid soap, as they don't contain the solids that can lead to gunky buildup. Lastly, you can aerate your shower between uses by opening windows and leaving the door open.

Generic bathroom cleaners can contain abrasives and chemicals that can leave behind scratches. Many online tips claim the best way to clean shower tile is with a mixture of white vinegar and water, but experts advise against this, since vinegar is highly acidic and can damage both grout and tile glaze. And while baking soda is another common household cleaning hack, it can scratch certain tiles like marble or travertine.

You should also avoid chlorine bleach and bleach-based products, as these can fade colored grout and cause it to crack and crumble.

From cleaning shower floor tiles to the grout lines in between, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner removes tough grime from all types of bathroom surfaces. The non-caustic formula is strong enough to dissolve soap scum and remove soils, without harsh chemicals or fumes.

For extremely stubborn hard water or mineral buildup on non-stone tile showers, your best choice may be Simple Green Lime Calcium Surface Residue Remover. Be sure you test the product on a small, inconspicuous area before cleaning, and do your best not to get any overspray on colored grout.

To rid your shower of mold and mildew, skip hydrogen peroxide and go with an EPA-registered disinfectant, such as Simple Green d PRO 3 PLUS. This inhibits mold growth on hard, non-porous surfaces like shower walls and shower doors. Learn how to effectively clean mold in your shower.

Directions for Cleaning Shower Tile:

1. Remove shampoo bottles, shower mats, and other items before cleaning. If you're unsure about how Simple Green will affect a surface, spot test beforehand.
2. Pre-treat. Turn on your shower to the hottest temperature and let it run for about 10 minutes with the door closed, allowing the steam to help loosen stubborn buildup on the tiles before you begin cleaning.
3. Spray Simple Green. Spray a section with full-strength Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner.
4. Scrub. Scrub tile and grout with a stiff brush, non-abrasive scrubbing pad, or grout brush. This will agitate and help lift away soils.
5. Rinse. Thoroughly rinse with warm water. Repeat steps 1 through 3 as necessary.
6. Dry. Dry the section with a clean microfiber or non-abrasive cloth to prevent water spots.
7. Repeat. Move to a new section and repeat steps 2-5.

TIP: See our guide on how to clean glass shower doors.

TIP: Check out our in-depth guide to cleaning shower tile grout.