Everyday tip: Cleaning tiles and tile grout

Are white marks on your tiles and grime in the grout getting on your nerves? We’ve put together tips for washing the tiles in the most demanding areas of your rental home: the bathroom and the kitchen.

Limescale can build up on the shower floor from water, attracting soap residue and body oils. Kitchen tiles, on the other hand, are splashed with cooking grease. A general cleaner on its own isn’t enough to remove limescale or grease, as each needs a different type of cleaner.

Use an acidic cleaner for limescale

Unsightly limescale residues can dull the walls and floor of your shower. Because limescale is alkaline, its worst enemy is acid. When buying a limescale remover, ignore the marketing text and make sure the product’s pH value is between 2 and 6.

You can also tackle limescale with vinegar, lemon juice or citric acid from the pharmacy. The same active ingredient, citric acid, is even found in sparkling mineral water!

Always wet the tiles thoroughly before cleaning. Acidic cleaners can erode tile grout, so remember to neutralise the tiles afterwards with a mildly alkaline cleaner (pH 8–10) and by rinsing well. Always wear protective gloves when scrubbing with acidic products.

Grease stains come off with an alkaline cleaner

Grease builds up on shower tiles from the skin and on kitchen tiles from cooking. Dust also sticks to grease. If you’ve tried wiping greasy tiles with a cloth, you may have noticed that the grease just rolls around as you scrub.

An alkaline cleaner with a pH value of around 10–14 is effective on grease stains. You’ll also need a scouring sponge or a tile brush.

Avoid scrubbing with brushes that are too coarse, as they can scratch the tile surface.

Limescale, grease and other dirt are often layered. That’s why cleaning tiles may require several rounds of cleaning, alternating between acidic and alkaline cleaners.

How to remove dirt from tile grout?

Limescale and grease in tile grout can be removed with acidic and alkaline cleaners. However, you’ll need a grout brush or even a toothbrush to work into the gaps between the tiles. Remember to wet the grout before scrubbing.

You can also use bicarbonate of soda to clean tile grout. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with hot water to form a thick paste. Apply it to the grout and leave it to work for half an hour. Brush the grout clean. Rinse the surface thoroughly and dry with a window squeegee.

Once stubborn limescale and grease have been removed, a general cleaner is enough for weekly wiping of walls and floors.

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