How to remove hard water stains from tiles and grout

How to remove hard water stains from tiles and grout

How to quickly remove all kinds of dirt and grout from tiles using handy tools. We also suggest ways to effectively remove stains from grout.

Types of dirt

Mould – caused by high levels of moisture in the bathroom. To prevent this, turn the extractor fan on more often or leave the door open for better ventilation. After every shower, wipe the walls and drains dry to make sure no moisture remains.

Rust – can occur from contact with sewage pipes or metal shelves for storing sauna accessories. To prevent this problem, elements that have begun to corrode should be replaced in good time.

Fouling is a common problem. Water contains a lot of deposits and salts, so even small drops can leave unsightly white marks. It can be solved by installing fine mesh mains filters.

Soap scum, which at first glance is easy to confuse with lime scale, builds up due to irregular cleaning of the bathroom and infrequent cleaning of surfaces. To avoid limescale build-up, it is also a good idea to clean the walls and walls after every shower.

1. Soap

Soap is suitable for white tiles and grout. Do not use the soap on coloured surfaces, as this could affect the colour shade.

Soak the sponge in water and soap it up thoroughly; leave it on for half an hour with plenty of foam. The sponge is then used to rinse everything off and wipe dry with a clean cloth. The method does not work with very old and stubborn stains.

2. Soda

Fresh rust and mold can easily be removed with baking soda.

Dampen the surface with water. Pour the baking soda onto a damp sponge, rub the spot thoroughly and let it rest for about half an hour. During this time the plaque will soften and can be removed with the hard side of the sponge. Make a mixture in the ratio of 100 grams of baking soda to 500 ml of water. Spread the resulting potion on the dirty area and also leave it on for 30 minutes. Then scrub vigorously and rinse off.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar is a good way to get limescale and mould off of bathroom tiles. The best way to clean the tiles is to apply the vinegar with a spray gun and let it stand for 20-30 minutes. Make sure you wear protective gloves and a face mask to protect your respiratory system.

A salt mixture can help fight rust. To do so, moisten a cloth with vinegar, dip it in salt and rub the dirty area.

Both methods are effective, but can compromise the integrity of the grout and are therefore not suitable for regular use.

4. Alcohol

Suitable for fighting various types of dirt. It cannot be used pure and must be diluted with water. For instance, about 30 ml of ammonia can be added per litre. The mixture should also be sprayed on for 5 minutes and then wiped dry with a soft cloth.

The mixture can be used for basic cleaning as well as for finishing off after working with other products.

5. Citric acid

Citric acid is suitable for removing all types of plaque. Dissolve the acid crystals in water in a 1:2 ratio and rub the liquid onto the tiles. Do not apply the powder to a sponge and treat the surface dry, otherwise the fine particles will scratch the coating.

Leave the solution on and wait for white streaks to appear – this is a sign that the product has begun to work. Afterwards, rinse it off with water or a sponge. If streaks remain, rinse again with water.

Take care to avoid getting acid on the joints, otherwise the grout could start to break down.

6. Glass Cleaning Liquid

A glass cleaning liquid usually contains ammonia. In this case, the method of cleaning tiles will not be any different from cleaning mirrors or windows. You also spray the solution evenly with a spray gun, wait a moment and then wipe dry with a cloth. This procedure is not suitable for very stubborn dirt but can be used as a preventative measure and will leave the surface shiny for longer.

7. Chlorine powder or bleach

The ultimate weapon against all types of plaque, it’s also an excellent disinfectant. Powder is diluted in water, then the solution is poured into a sprayer and sprayed evenly over the tiles. After 15 minutes, the dirt and bleach are removed first with a sponge and then wiped again with a wet cloth.

You can make this preparation yourself or buy ready-made bleach. The only disadvantage of bleach – it really is great bleach, so it can hurt the coloured grout between the tiles. In addition, it is aggressive, strong smells, and do not mix with any other chemicals or home remedies.

8. Dishwashing detergent

Fresh dirt and stains can be handled with any dishwashing gel. Whip it up with a sponge until it foams and leave it on for about 10 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water. This is a gentle wash that you can do without gloves.

9. Plaque sprays and gels

In household care shops, you can find special products that are designed specifically for cleaning tiles from all kinds of dirt. Many of them also have a decontamination effect. The best choice is a liquid or creamy product that does not contain abrasive particles. In the instructions for use on the packaging, manufacturers indicate for which grade of tile a particular product is suitable.

10. Steam cleaner

This is the only way to clean tiles without detergents. It not only helps remove dirt but also disinfects surfaces with hot steam. It penetrates deep into the pores and gently removes even mould on grout without destroying its structure. Such devices usually come with nozzles and brushes for different types of coatings.

Conclusion

Some soiling on tiles and joints appears due to high humidity in the bathroom, others due to irregular cleaning. There are different types of plaque, but there are tried-and-true cleaning methods for each. You don’t have to buy expensive chemicals; in many cases, solutions and mixtures can be made on your own using the tools at hand.

We hope you enjoyed our simple tile cleaning tips. Have a good day!

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