We want to keep our tiles looking like they are new. With all the tile cleaning liquids and solutions available in the market, one wonders which the best choice is. Most promise that they give heavy-duty cleaning and that they can wipe any stain off your tiles, but these can contain harsh, harmful chemicals that might even damage the tile surface. We often spend hundreds of dollars on cleaning solutions, but we don’t realize that these could cause more harm than good.
To cut on maintenance cost and to ensure you’re only using safe cleaning products on your tiles and grout, make homemade cleaning solutions with everyday items you often already have in your homes. Below are a couple of homemade cleaning solutions along with some tips and tricks to help keep your tiles and grout line clean.
Homemade Tile Cleaner
Generally, tiles are relatively easy to keep clean. Everyday cleaning is required to keep tiles in pristine shape. Sweeping your floors regularly helps avoid dust from accumulating on the tile’s surface and wiping your backsplash with warm soapy water takes out any residue that could have splashed on is enough. It’s also important to know that you need to wipe off any spills from deeply colored liquids on your tiles if you don’t want them to stain.
If you need to take cleaning a step further, try making this cleaning solution:
Mix the ingredients in a large container and pour it into a plastic bottle with a lid. You can use a spray bottle but choose one that has a bigger nozzle since the mixture is thick and doesn’t spray easy. You can also thin the mixture out with water for an everyday cleaning solution.
This solution is an all-purpose cleaning solution that can also be used on bathtubs, sinks, and toilet bowls. Try not to let the mixture stand too long on the surface of the tiles since the acid from the lemon juice and vinegar could corrode the grout lines.
To use the cleaning solution, shake the bottle well and pour a small amount of the solution on a cleaning rag or directly onto the surface of the tiles you’re cleaning. Scrub the area and rinse with warm water and a wet cloth.
Cleaning Your Grout
No matter how clean your tiles are, they would still look dirty if you don’t clean your grout lines. It’s an extra step, but it’s worth it if you want your tiles to look as new as the day you had them installed.
Try this homemade grout cleaning mix:
If you’re wondering what hydrogen peroxide is, it’s a chemical compound that often comes in a pale blue, transparent liquid, that’s slightly more viscous than water. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural alternative to bleach that brightens and eliminates germs. It’s also non-toxic and decomposes into water and oxygen. You can buy this in most pharmacies since it’s commonly used as an antiseptic to prevent infection of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
Combine the hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Spoon mixture onto the grout lines and wait for 5 to 10 minutes. Scrub the solution off the grout line and rinse with clean water. The hydrogen peroxide and baking soda create a reaction that pulls the dirt out of the top surface of the grout.
This mixture is also great to use if you have stains on your tiles. Just leave some of the mix on top of the stain for a couple of minutes, rub the area with a damp cloth and rinse off the mixture. It should lift the stain off or make it considerably lighter.
These are just some of the simple homemade solutions to help keep your home safe from harsh chemicals from cleaning products and bring your tiles and grout lines back to life. Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re cleaning your tiles and grout.
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