Bathroom tiles are one of the most important elements in creating a bathroom that looks and feels great. They can be used to create a wide variety of looks, from classic and traditional to contemporary and modern. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing bathroom tiles, such as size, shape, color, and texture. Bathroom tiles can be used for floors, walls, or even countertops.
Bathroom tiles are a necessary part of any bathroom. They provide a waterproof surface that is easy to clean. There are many different types of bathroom tiles. The most common type of tile is ceramic. Ceramic tiles are made from clay that has been fired in a kiln. Besides ceramic tiles, various other types of tiles include: porcelain, glass, stone, and even metal. Bathroom tiles are particularly used as both a floor cover and wall cover for the interior of a bathroom. Bathroom tiles have to have good water resistance qualities since bathrooms are exposed to water at all times.
Because of the constant moisture exposure, bathroom tiles are susceptible to stains and algae growth. Bathroom tiles thus need to constantly be maintained by cleaning them regularly using tools like: Shower or tile cleaner, soft brush, bucket or pan.
Cleaning bathroom tiles typically takes place in five steps depending on how dirty the tiles are which include: Initial scrapping off of large chunks of dirt, preliminary water spraying, scrubbing with soap or detergent, initial rinsing, final rinsing and drying.
Step 1, Initial residue/debris removal;
A bathroom might have very dirty tiles with algae growing on them or even mud stuck to the tiles. This requires a preliminary process of scrapping off such dirt using either a stick or trowel. This removes large chunks of dirt in preparation for the actual cleaning process. You can also use a scrub brush to gently remove dirt and residue from the surface of the tile. Remember to wear gloves if you are using a scrub brush because it can cause skin irritation. A vacuum cleaner can also be used to remove the residue from the tiles.
Step 2, Initial water spraying;
This involves spraying the filthy surface with a high pressure stream of water. This also helps to remove the residue and debris from the tiles’ surface before the scrubbing. A degreaser can also be used during this process.
A degreaser is a substance used to dissolve oil and other substances that dirty the tiles. There are many different types of degreasers, but all of them work well to remove dirt, residue, and paint from tile walls and floors. If you don’t have a good degreaser, you can use a mixture of water and ammonia. Be sure to follow the directions on the product label carefully to avoid damaging your surfaces.
If the tile is filthy you may need to repeat Step 1 and 2 several times to completely remove all the dirt and debris.
Step 3, scrubbing with water and detergent;
This is the most significant part of the cleaning process. Soap or detergent is used to scrub the tiles with water. Soap and detergent contain chemical properties that dissolve and suspend dirt that is otherwise stuck to the tiles as stains. The scrubbing with a brush or sponge in addition to water then sweeps off the loosened stain particles leaving the tiles looking as good as new. The efficiency of this process relies on the detergent and soap quality; good quality detergent/soap will remove tough stains with less effort and time.
Step 4, initial rinsing;
This involves spraying water on the scrabbed area to remove the mixture of soap and dirt and to assess how clean the tiles are. This also exposes the missed spots with stains that were not tended to. In case of missed spots, more detergent/soap is applied and step 2 repeated.
Step 5, Final rinsing and drying;
This involves spraying the scrabbed tiles with clean water to remove the remaining soap and dirt. This step also involves the final step of drying the tiles with a clean towel. The drying process is very important because otherwise, some of the water used to rinse the tiles will dry on the tiles leaving unpleasant spots and patterns on the tiles, making the clean tiles look dirty. This is because the rinsing water mixes with the soap/detergent and some of it remains in the water. When the water dries, it reveals a pale looking pattern. Towels also help soak up any liquid that might get on the floor or walls.
In conclusion, if you want to clean your bathroom tiles effectively, follow these simple steps. Each step a head depends on the success of the previous step, otherwise an incomplete step is repeated until done right. Be sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner and water sparingly to avoid damaging the tile. If the tile is in bad shape, it may be necessary to replace it. Finally, always test the cleaning solution on a small area first to make sure it is safe for the tiles.
