How to Clean Bathroom Wall Tiles

Tiles are used in bathrooms up and down the UK to provide a water-resistant covering for walls. But over time, they can easily become dirty and discoloured, which calls for a good clean. After all, you don’t want the place you clean yourself to look or feel dirty!

Read on as we discuss why tiles get dirty, how to clean bathroom tiles and whether there’s an easier way.

Are tiles hygienic?

You might notice that tiles themselves don’t get particularly dirty. Their smooth, non-porous surface lets water run off – with most dirt going with it. However, to provide a fully sealed water-resistance surface, you need grouting in-between tiles.

This is where most hygiene problems occur. While tiles still require regular cleaning, grouting acts as a trench or gutter between tiles, where dirt and grime can easily build up. Over time, it can even lead to unsightly discolouration.

That’s why, when you’re considering how to clean bathroom tiles, you’ll need to be ready to tackle the grouting as well!

Cleaning bathroom wall tiles

Cleaning wall tiles in your bathroom can be broken down into two main steps – the tiles and the grouting.

Tackling the tiles

Firstly, to clean bathroom wall tiles, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of water and white vinegar (roughly half and half), then add a drop or two of washing up liquid. Spray your tiles with the solution then rub down with a sponge.

Rinse the wall tiles down with warm water then dry them with a cloth to avoid any streaks being left on the surface.

Going at the grouting

Now onto the grouting. For this job you’ll need a toothbrush, some baking soda and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. The latter can be found in most supermarkets, despite sounding like something from a high-school chemistry lesson.

Wet the baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl, then dip your toothbrush in the mixture. Next, scrub the grouting between tiles with the toothbrush to remove dirt, grime and discolouration.

Rinse the tiles as best you can to get the baking soda and dirt away, and your grouting should look a lot closer to its original white.

Is there an easier way?

While we’ve tried to provide the easiest way possible to clean bathroom wall tiles, scrubbing away at grouting can become tiring and burdensome when you have to do it on a regular basis.

Thankfully, there is an alternative to bathroom wall tiles that is much easier to clean. PVC wall panels have a larger surface and no grouting between panels, so they’re much easier to clean. Simply wipe down and rinse to keep panels looking at their best.

They’re available in a range of modern styles. Best of all, PVC panels can be installed over the top of tiles for complete convenience, avoiding the need for messy, time-consuming tile removal.

Upgrading to a low-maintenance bathroom

If you want to take the hassle out of cleaning your bathroom, bathroom wall panels are a stylish, long-lasting and cost-effective solution.

At Igloo Surfaces, our wall panels come with a guarantee of 10-20 years for extra peace of mind. You can even order 4 samples for just £1 to make sure you get the right look for your bathroom.