How to clean tile slots in a bathroom

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 19 February 2021
Update Date: 1 July 2024
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Content

Plastering mortar works to attach tiles and appliances and is very waterproof, but cleaning the tile slots is quite arduous. In addition, you also have to spend a lot of time and effort to keep the brick slots from mold contamination. The brick slots have many tiny holes, so not only are they easily stained, they are also easy to stick to dirt, grime and soap residue. It is important to keep in mind when cleaning tile slots to always start with the lightest cleaning products and only gradually use stronger detergents as needed. This may take longer, but also prolongs the life of the tile slot for several more years. There are several products and methods you can try to clean the tiles, but it's still best to prevent stains and mold in the first place.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Use of household products


  1. Clean the tile slot with steam. An efficient and environmentally friendly way to clean the tile slot is to use a steam cleaner. Attach the tip of the small and pointed tube to the steam cleaner, including the brush tip if applicable. Direct the tube end to the brick slots and use continuous steam force to dislodge dirt along the slots.
    • Even if the slot cannot be cleaned, the steam engine will partially clean, in addition it will loosen debris and dirt so that you can clean with other products more easily. .

  2. Treat the slot with baking soda and vinegar. Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda (30 g) with a little water to make a paste. Dip a toothbrush or a dedicated cleaning brush into the mixture and scrub it into the slot.
    • For best results, use a new bristle toothbrush and scrub in a circular motion instead of back and forth.
    • Spray the area with half water and half vinegar. Let the mixture simmer for about half an hour.
    • Use a toothbrush to scrub the baking soda and vinegar mixture into the slot again. Rinse with clean water.


    Raymond Chiu

    Cleaning Specialist & Chief Operating Officer, Maid Sailors Raymond Chiu is the chief executive officer of MaidSailors.com, a leading residential and commercial cleaning service. Maid Sailors prides itself on high quality housing and office cleaning at an affordable price. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Operations from Baruch University.

    Raymond Chiu
    Cleaning Specialist & CEO, Maid Sailors

    Expert advice: For stubborn stains, add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of hydrogen peroxide to the baking soda and vinegar mixture!

  3. Switch to baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If the baking soda and vinegar mixture doesn't work, try using hydrogen peroxide instead of vinegar. Mix the dough mixture with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, then scrub the mixture with a toothbrush into the tile slot. Add hydrogen peroxide if needed. Rinse with lukewarm water when done.
    • Vinegar should never be mixed with hydrogen peroxide, so wash the area thoroughly and wait a few days before trying this method.
    • Even if it doesn't clean all the dirt, at least hydrogen peroxide kills mold and helps the tile slot to prevent staining.
  4. Try borax and lemon juice. Mix ¼ cup (60 g) borax, ½ teaspoon (3 ml) lemon juice and a sufficient amount of liquid soap (such as Castile soap) to make a paste.
    • Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste mixture into the tile slot, then rinse with warm water.
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Part 2 of 3: Using stronger products

  1. Try oxygen bleach. Oxygen bleach is another name for sodium percarbonate, a compound made from hydrogen peroxide and soda crystals. Popular branded products include Clorox, OxiClean, Oxi Magic, and Bio Kleen. Mix the product with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Rub it over the area to be cleaned and let it soak for about an hour before rubbing and rinsing.
    • Be sure to use these products in a well-ventilated area and avoid contact with skin. Always wear gloves when working.
    • Always test commercial product on a small area to ensure the tile slot is not corroded, discolored, or damaged. Do not use any bleach on colored tiles.
  2. Use specialized cleaning and bleaching products. There are many specialized tile cleaning products, most of which are available at supermarkets. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions for use and follow the safety rules. Some popular products include:
    • Zep
    • Goo Gone Grout
    • Outrageous
    • Tilex Tile and Grout

    Dario Ragnolo

    Cleaning Specialist & Owner of Tidy Town Cleaning Dario Ragnolo is the owner and founder of Tidy Town Cleaning, a home cleaning services company in Los Angeles, California. His business focuses on residential & commercial sanitation. He is the second generation cleaning specialist in the family, prior to that his parents worked in the cleaning industry in Italy.

    Dario Ragnolo
    Cleaning Specialist & Owner of Tidy Town Cleaning

    Our experts agree that: The most effective way to clean the slot is to use a commercial cleaning product, such as Goo Gone. Wait 3 minutes for it to soak, then scrub the slot with the brush.

  3. Be careful with chemical combinations. If a chemical doesn't work and you want to try another one, make sure you wash the area and wait 2 days before trying the new one. Just as hydrogen peroxide and vinegar can produce peracetic acid, commercial cleaning products can also produce toxic gases, caustic solutions, and vapors.
  4. Paint the slot if there is no other way. For stains and grime that cannot be cleaned, you can paint dye to cover the stains and refresh the tile slots. The painted area will be clean and beautiful, but if you don't like it, you can rinse and paint again overnight to dry.
    • Pour a small amount of dye into a container. Dip a clean toothbrush or a brush brush into the dyed color and paint on the tile in a back and forth motion.
    • Use a paper towel to wipe away any color and allow to dry according to manufacturer's instructions.
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Part 3 of 3: Keep the slot clean

  1. Clean the slot with alcohol. One of the easiest ways to prevent stains is to regularly wipe with a cleaning agent that helps prevent mold from forming in the first place. One of these products is alcohol. Once a week, you should use a clean rag soaked in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and clean the crevices.
  2. Spray anti-mildew agent on the slot. There are a variety of anti-mildew sprays that you can make yourself, including vinegar and water, tea tree oil and water, and hydrogen peroxide. 2-3 times a week, you should spray one of the following solutions on the tile slots after bathing:
    • Half water, half vinegar solution. However, you should be aware that the tile slots can corrode if you wash them with vinegar for many years.
    • Water mixed with 15-20 drops of tea tree oil. Shake well before using.
    • Pure hydrogen peroxide is poured into a spray bottle.
  3. Dry the tiles after bathing. Drying out the water on your tiles after bathing is one of the easiest ways to keep the tiles looking new. Every time you take a shower, dry the bathroom wall with an old towel or a rubber broom.
  4. Keep the bathroom dry. Another way to prevent mold from forming is to remove the water so that it doesn't have conditions to grow.
    • If the bathroom does not have an exhaust fan, you can reduce the humidity in the air after showering by opening the windows and turning on the standing fan facing the windows.
  5. Cover the slot with waterproofing agent. Every few years, you should coat the slot with waterproofing. You can use a paint brush to do this. Allow to dry, then use a rag or wet sponge to diagonally wipe the tile surface.
    • After applying the waterproofing agent and wiping the tiles, you need to let them dry for 3-4 hours.
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Advice

  • Never scrub the slot with a metal bristle brush, as it will wear out over time.
  • Some people recommend using bleach to clean the crevices, but actually bleach can cause the slots to turn yellow and corrode, so you should avoid using this product or just try it when there's no other way. other.