The Best Way to Clean Bathroom Tile

Joe CruzJoe CruzUpdated: Jan. 17, 2023

Make your tile and grout shine again. Here's how.

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close up of rubber glove hand cleaning bathroom tile and groutImage Source/Getty Images
Next Project
Time

An hour or less

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$20-50

Introduction

Here are some tips, tools, products and homemade remedies to restore your stained tile and grout lines.

Tools Required

  • Grout cleaning brush
  • Rubber gloves
  • Soft-bristle brush
  • Spray Bottle

Materials Required

  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Tile & grout cleaner
  • White vinegar

Project step-by-step (3)

Step 1

Before You Start

  • Clear the area of anything in the way of your tile.
  • Gather all the products and tools you need to do the job.

various tile and grout cleaning products and tools on the floor of bathroomJoe Cruz/Family Handyman

Step 2

Home Remedies

  • If you happen to be hypersensitive to cleaning product chemicals and fumes, you may have just what you need under your sink or in the pantry. White vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are great alternatives to harsh cleaning products.
  • Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle for cleaning your tile.
  • Make a scouring paste from baking soda and water for cleaning your grout.
  • Pour hydrogen peroxide directly on the grout and scrub it with a brush, or substitute it for the water when making the baking soda paste.

making baking soda pasteJoe Cruz/Family Handyman

Step 3

Time to Clean

  • It’s a good practice to work on one three-foot section at a time. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Thoroughly clean and rinse the area then move on to the next section.
  • Spray or sponge the cleaner of your choice onto the tile and let it stand for two to five minutes.

cleaning the bathroom tile and grout with zep cleanerJoe Cruz/Family Handyman

  • Scrub the tiles with a cleaning brush, concentrating on the grout lines surrounding each tile. If the tiles are small, you can clean several at a time. If your tiles are larger than 12-in. x 12-in., concentrate on one or two. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and repeat as needed before moving on to the next area.
  • You can purchase cleaners specific for tile and grout online or at your home improvement store.

scrubbing tile grout with brushJoe Cruz/Family Handyman

Originally Published: October 13, 2021