household
Correctly clean tiles and joints in the bathroom
An old toothbrush will help clean grout.
© Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com
Tiles and grout will become covered in stubborn dirt over time. With these tips, the bathroom will look like new again.
In spite of all hygiene: the damp room climate and the type of use lead to stubborn deposits of lime, grease and dust in the grouting of the bathroom tiles. Anyone who takes targeted action against this will soon have eliminated the problem.
Not all dirt is created equal
Anyone who combats the soiling of the joints with the wrong cleaning agents should not be surprised at the lack of success. Because many cleaning agents, as special cleaners, are tailored to specific soiling in the household. But the dirt in the grouting is very different.
Brownish, blotchy soiling indicates a mixture of soap residue, skin particles and dust. These impurities can be easily removed: Rinse with clear water after use, so the fresh dirt is gone again immediately.
Fungal spores form a greasy coating on the grout. Black dots also indicate this directly, later they can expand over a large area. Limescale deposits in the narrow grouting result from the increased humidity and show themselves with yellow-brown discoloration. Cleaning is only effective with the right cleaning agents.
The right means
Cleaning with steam at between 150 and 300 degrees is quick and thorough. The purchase of a suitable steam cleaner pays for itself, because it is also suitable for many other cleaning jobs in the household. Steam cleans thoroughly and kills fungi and bacteria without any chemical cleaning agents – afterwards, all you need to do is wipe with a dry cloth.
Disused toothbrushes prove to be simple, also suitable tools. The narrow, rough joints can be cleaned well with their bristles. Specialist shops also have special grout cleaning brushes, and microfiber cloths and cleaning sponges are also helpful.
In addition to chemical cleaning agents, home remedies such as a paste made from baking soda and a little water, a mix of three tablespoons of soda and five liters of water and toothpaste applied directly are suitable. Heavily diluted vinegar brings a radiant shine to bathroom tiles.
If you ventilate your bathroom regularly, especially after bathing or showering, and dry the shower cubicle and bathtub after use, you will avoid soiling and mold formation in the long term.