Tips on How to Keep Your Bathroom Looking Like New

Tiles and Grouting – Walls and Floor

You Will Need:
– An old toothbrush
– White vinegar
– Bicarbonate of Soda
– Specialist cleaner if there is severe staining and mould*
– Rubber gloves

*It is not recommended to use bleach or a strong cleaner on the grouting if it was not originally white as it will remove the colour!

First it is best to tackle the grouting as this is an area that can become dirty and mouldy and quickly spoil the look of the tiles.

The best cleaner to use, that is not as harsh as bleach or a bleach-based specialist cleaner, is to mix some bicarbonate of soda with some vinegar to make a paste and brush this onto the grout with an old toothbrush. Leave this to work for about 30 minutes then rinse with warm water. If there is still some dirt or mould then the process can be repeated.

If you decide to use a specialist cleaner (these are usually bleach based) then remember to open the bathroom door and windows to ventilate any fumes from the chemicals and also wear rubber gloves.

Once the grout is clean you can tackle the tiles, but bear in mind what they are made of and how they are decorated. For plain ceramic tiles you can use the vinegar and bicarbonate paste and a scouring pad, but if there is a printed pattern on the tiles then a soft sponge or cloth is much safer. If your tiles are made from marble then do not use vinegar or harsh cloths because you will damage the surface. As with the grout, if there is severe staining or mould then you may need to use a specialist cleaner. Finish by rinsing thoroughly with clean water and then dry with an old towel or clean cloth.

The Shower Head

The information below is from Mira Showers.

Handheld shower heads

• Remove the showerhead from the hose. Be careful not to lose the rubber washer when you do as this stops water from leaking between the head and the hose.
• Put the shower head in a bucket or plastic container and cover it with white vinegar.
• Leave the shower head to soak in the vinegar for at least 30 minutes, preferably around an hour. If your shower head is brass, do not leave it in the vinegar for any longer than 30 minutes.
• Take the shower head out of the vinegar and rinse it with water.
• Remove any remaining lime scale with an old toothbrush, paying special attention to the nozzle.
• Rinse again with water and polish with a soft cloth.
• Reattach to the hose and turn on the shower to flush out any remaining lime scale.

Fixed shower heads

• Take a plastic bag that is big enough to fit over your showerhead and half fill it with vinegar.
• Place it over the head until the head is completely submerged in the vinegar and use some string or an elastic band to tie it in place.
• Leave for at least 30 minutes, preferably around an hour. If your shower head is brass, do not leave it in the vinegar for any longer than 30 minutes.
• Turn on the shower to flush out any deposits left inside the showerhead.
• Repeat the process if necessary until all the lime scale has gone.

Shower Glass

Get an old spray bottle and mix up a solution with half water, half vinegar and spray on to your shower screen. Depending on how bad the problem is, you may need to use the rougher side of a non-scratch scouring pad with a dollop of elbow grease, before wiping it off and buffing it up with a dry cloth.

Prevent lime scale build up on the glass by always using a squeegee to remove excess water after every shower.

Note: To be safe it is best to clean a small inconspicuous area first to be sure the tiles/glass will not be damaged.