Ceramic and porcelain wall tiles are some of the most used within homes because they are reasonably priced, they come in many tile style variations, and they are easy to clean and maintain. One factor we don’t give enough thought to is the maintenance and cleaning of wall tiles because we are often taken with the idea of the design, but it is paramount for busy areas of the home that low maintenance wall tiles are installed to keep them clean and fresh looking.
Many homeowners change their bathroom and kitchen tiles because they have become stained and not nice looking and it is true to say that stained and dirty looking wall tiles are not attractive but there are ways to prevent this from happening and thus keeping your wall tiles looking good for many years. The key is regular cleaning and maintenance of toilet wall tiles after use, and this applies to also both bathroom and kitchens. It can sometimes be hard to clean areas all of the time and to get into a cleaning routine where wall tiles are thoroughly cleaned once a week is a good idea.
There are certain areas within the kitchen where homeowners will notice are dirtier than others and this is due to where they are situated. The backsplash area behind cookers and sinks is an area that will become dirty and stained easier. Always ensure you get as much advice as you can when installing wall tiles in regards to sealants because sealing of wall tiles can protect them from stains that may penetrate the tile material and permanently stain them. If wall tiles are installed on a backlash area, sealant will protect them and regular cleaning will keep them clean and fresh. Always pay particular attention to these areas and when cooking or washing up has finished, pay attention to the wall tiles and remove any excess substances to prevent them from forming a film on the tile.
The toilet area is also another place that wall tiles will become dirty and around the bath area can be a nightmare to keep clean, again the key factor is to wipe and rinse clean when the bath has been used and then give a thorough clean once a week.
If you have particular stubborn marks and stains on the wall tiles you may need to use a specialist cleaner to remove stubborn stains and marks; there are plenty on the market and some tile cleaners are designed for regular light cleaning whilst others are more suited for more demanding cleaning. A good idea is to use a small new clean toothbrush around the tile grout area because the tile grout will also become discoloured over time. Always ensure any cloths you use don’t have colour in order to avoid colour transfer onto the wall tiles.
Always ensure you check the tile cleaner is suitable for the tile material to prevent any damage as some wall tiles require neutral cleaners only. Ceramic tiles and porcelain tiles are very strong durable tiles that can withstand many different substances, and as long as you clean them regularly, they will stay looking clean and fresh.
Toilet tiles look amazing when they are first installed. But after some time, soap scum, hard water deposits, towel lint and dust can all work together to dull and spoil the look of your tiles. While there are many cleaners around that claim to restore the shine of your tiles, you will find many leave streaky or greasy marks, and those that don’t are usually full of nasty chemical toxins.
Cleaning toilet wall tiles can be super easy and super safe, thanks to the natural cleaning power of some simple ingredients you’re sure to find around the home. Here are four steps to a cleaner, healthier toilet without resorting to environmentally dangerous chemicals.
1. Baking soda scrubber
Baking soda is a much-underused household product. Although its uses are limited in baking, as an abrasive scrubbing ingredient, it is excellent. To get your tiles sparkling like new, try this simple recipe:
-Mix water and baking soda together to form a paste, similar in consistency to toothpaste
-Use a spatula or something similar to paste it onto the surface of your tiles
-Let it sit for just some minutes
-Use a damp sponge to rub the paste off from the tiles, and finally, rinse with clean water
The abrasive nature of the baking soda, combined with the fizzing action, works effectively to lift and remove all stains and marks, without the addition of too much elbow grease!
2. Shower spritz
Once you’ve got your tiles looking like new again, stopping them from falling into poor condition again is a top priority. Try this simple spritz for a daily protective treatment that will avoid the build up of grime and limescale.
-Fill a spray bottle with about half a pint of water
-Add ten drops of tea tree oil or citrus extract
-Add a few drops of lemon juice
-Add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar
-Shake it all up and spray onto tiles after every bath or shower
This simple mixture will stop watermarks and leave your toilet wall tiles looking and smelling amazing.
3. Mildew makeover
Mildew is the bane of any bathroom and can be very stubborn to remove. Try mixing these ingredients together to make a mildew busting cleaning solution:
-250ml of white vinegar
-Juice of one whole lemon
-10 drop of tea tree oil
Spray your mixture onto the mildew and let it rest for about five minutes. If it is still difficult to get off, try mixing in a few sea salt crystals to give you some extra abrasive action.
4. Minty tile shine
If our baking soda scrubber didn’t get your ceramic wall tiles looking as good as you hoped, or you have some stubborn stains that just don’t want to come off, try our minty tile shine for incredible results. In a large container, mix:
-5 tablespoons of baking soda
-1 tablespoon of laundry stain remover (the powdered type)
-1 tablespoon of liquid soap (hand washes or washing up liquid)
-10 drops of peppermint essence
-2 – 3 tablespoons of water
Your mixture should resemble a thick milkshake – liquid but not too runny. Pour this onto a scrubbing brush and give your porcelain tiles a good going over to restore shine and remove stains.