Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Cleaning dirty seams
• Method 2 of 2: Painting the seams
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need
• Cleaning dirty seams
• Painting seams

It is easy to make the tiles themselves clean and shiny, but it is much more difficult to clean the joints. Sometimes you even have to paint them with white paint. You don't need a lot of special products to whiten your stitches. Most of these are probably already in your home. However, if you decide to paint the seams, you will have to buy a special type of paint for this.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Cleaning dirty seams

1. 1 Start with warm water and a nylon brush. Sometimes it is enough just to rub the joints properly with warm water. Splash some lukewarm water over the joint and rub it in a circular motion with a stiff-bristled brush. This will remove light surface dirt and bleach the seam underneath.
   • To remove stubborn dirt, add a few drops of dish detergent to warm water.
   • Try to get a brush made specifically for cleaning tile joints. If you can't find one, an old toothbrush or a manicure brush will do. However, do not use a wire brush as it can destroy the seams.
2. 2 Use a vinegar-water solution to remove mold stains. Pour 1 part table vinegar and 1 part warm water into a spray bottle. Spray the resulting solution onto the soiled areas, wait 5 minutes, then scrub with a stiff-bristled brush. If necessary, rinse the cleaned area with warm water.
   • Do not use this product if the tiles are made of marble or other natural stone. Vinegar can damage these materials.
3. 3 Use a paste of baking soda and water to remove stubborn stains. Take some baking soda and add water to it to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the dirty area and scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush, then rinse with warm water.
   • You can also spray the baking soda paste with a solution of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar. After the mixture stops sizzling and foaming, wipe the cleaned area with a stiff brush.
4. 4 Use hydrogen peroxide for stubborn stains. You can spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto the contaminated area, or make a paste with baking soda. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the joint, wait a few minutes, and scrub the area with a stiff brush. Then wash the cleaned area with water.
   • Hydrogen peroxide removes blood stains well.
5. 5 Use commercially available oxygenated bleach products. Look for tile joint cleaners that contain oxygen bleach. Turn on the fan or open the bathroom window and wear rubber gloves. Use the product according to the instructions provided. Most of these products should be left on the seams for 10-15 minutes, then the surface should be rubbed with a stiff brush. Then rinse off the detergent with warm water.
   • Cleaning agents such as Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus, Clorox, OxiClean, OxiMagic are commercially available.
6. 6 Steam the seams to restore their original white color. First, set the minimum steam pressure, and then, if necessary, increase it.Use the brush attachment to remove stubborn stains.
   • No cleaning agents are required for steam treatment. Pressurized steam washes away deposits and dirt.
7. 7 In extreme cases, use an aqueous solution of chlorine bleach. At the same time, turn on the fan or open the window in the bathroom. Wear rubber gloves, goggles, and old clothing. Pour 1 part chlorine bleach and 10 parts water into a spray bottle. Apply the solution to the dirty joint and wait 2 minutes. Then scrub the area with a stiff brush and rinse with water.
   • Use bleach with caution if you have a porcelain bath. Bleach can cause yellowing and pitting on porcelain.
8. 8 If the above methods do not solve the problem, use a paste made from baking soda and chlorine bleach. Mix 2 parts baking soda and 1 part chlorine bleach for a thick paste. Apply the paste to the dirty joint and wait 5-10 minutes. Then scrub the seam with a stiff brush and wait another 5-10 minutes. Then rinse off the paste with water.
   • Although chlorine bleach is not recommended to be mixed with other substances, it is considered safe in the case of baking soda. Many people believe that this method actually helps to improve cleaning properties. how bleach, and so baking soda.

Method 2 of 2: Painting the seams

1. 1 Get some white tile joint paint. You can find this paint at a home improvement or household goods store. It may be called "seam dye". Typically this paint contains epoxy and is highly durable. It differs from seam varnish, which is usually not white, but transparent.
   • The paint may look slightly darker after curing, depending on the color of the seam.
   • If you have very dark tiles, the white paint may look too bright. Consider using a greyish paint or a different color.
2. 2 Prepare tiles and joints. Fill the cracks with mortar and wait for it to harden. If you need to use a sealant, apply it to the tiles, but be careful not to get it on the seams. The sealant can prevent the paint from adhering to the seams. You can also check to see if the seams are clean enough for grease, food particles, soap, soot and other dirt.
   • If you've washed your tile, wait until it is completely dry before proceeding.
3. 3 Take a small paintbrush and paint container. The brush should be small enough to easily penetrate the seams. You can even use an old toothbrush. A small old paint brush will work as well. You will also need a tray or other small container for paint.
   • If you are concerned about the brush bristles getting stuck in the seam, use a foam brush. Make sure it is the same width as the tile joints.
   • Try trimming the brush bristles a little so that the hairs stick closer to each other. After that, you will be able to better control the brush.
   • Another option is to use a fine paint roller. In this case, you can easily apply the paint with great precision.
4. 4 Pour some paint into the tray. Pour in less paint than you think will be needed. You can add paint at any time. Pouring in too much paint can dry out before you can use it.
5. 5 Apply paint to the seam in a straight motion. Dip the tip of the brush into the tray to scoop up some paint. Brush gently along the seam. Be careful not to splash paint on the surrounding tiles. You can then remove the paint, but the less cleaning the tiles the better.
   • The paint for the joints only adheres to them and can be easily removed from the tiles. If you're still worried about getting your tiles dirty, cover them with masking tape.
6. 6 Wipe off excess paint from the tile with a damp cloth. If the paint on the tile dries, scrape it off with your fingernail.You can also remove paint from tiles with a spatula or old spoon.
7. 7 Wait for the paint to dry before applying a second coat. Depending on the brand, the paint may take one hour or longer to dry. The specific time should be indicated in the attached instructions. Wait until the paint is completely dry before applying a second coat.
8. 8 Let the paint cure before using the treated area. Some brands of paint take a certain amount of time to cure, while others just need to dry.
   • It is better to let the paint dry for a longer time than indicated in the instructions. In this case, you can be sure that the paint is really dry.
9. 9 Consider using a tile joint sealant. In this case, the paint will last longer. In addition, the sealant will protect the joint material from dirt and make it easier to clean later.

Tips

• To keep the tile joints in the shower clean, spray them 2-3 times a week with a 1: 1 mixture of vinegar and water. The vinegar will kill the mold.
• Spray the shower stall with isopropyl alcohol once a week to kill mold.
• 10-14 days after the new mortar in the tile joints hardens, cover it with a special sealant. This will protect the seams from dirt and make them easier to clean.
• Usually, damp tile joints tend to darken. If the seams on the tiles don't seem as white as you would like, wait for them to dry before trying to clean them.

Warnings

• Do not mix chlorine bleach with other household cleaners. As a result, a chemical reaction can occur with the release of toxic gases.
• Do not use wire brushes. They are too stiff for tile joints and can scratch them as well as the surrounding tiles. Use a nylon brush.
• Ensure good ventilation when handling bleach and other household cleaners. It is also helpful to wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers, and safety glasses. The product may splatter when you rub the tile joints with it.
• Do not use vinegar on marble and other natural stone tiles, as it can damage them.

What do you need

Cleaning dirty seams

• Cleaning agent
• Durable cloth rags
• Hard sponge
• Stiff bristled nylon brush
• Safety glasses and gloves
• Knee pads

Painting seams

• Tile joint paint
• Small stiff paint brush
• Tray or other small container for paint
• Damp cloth or hard sponge