The Best Product to Remove Dirt From Shower Tiles

Written by Lee Carroll; Updated July 27, 2015

Grimy shower tiles might be the bane of your existence, but a humble box of baking soda gets rid of the mess. It won't scratch tiles, and yet baking soda can remove everything from soap scum to old specks of hair conditioner. Finish with a vinegar rinse, and you'll boost the shine and impair mildew growth too.

Why Baking Soda Works

Baking soda has a naturally soft abrasive texture. It's not coarse like some scouring powders, and it's softer than some so-called soft liquid cleansers. Finer abrasives tend to make better contact with tiles than coarser abrasives do, because more particles touch the surface at one time. So when you scour using baking soda, you're making the job easier on yourself and you don't have to contend with the harsh fumes of some cleansers with bleach additives.

How to Scour the Tiles

You'll need a sponge and a box of baking soda, and that's about it. However, if you have a really grimy shower, you can add a touch of dish-washing liquid to cut the additional film. Soak the sponge in warm water, and then sprinkle baking soda on top. There's no right or wrong amount. Spray the tiles with a little water, and scour the walls from the top down. Rinse the tiles using a sprayer or a clean sponge and water, and let the baking soda go down the drain.

Why White Vinegar Helps

White vinegar helps rinse away any baking soda residue and tends to leave fewer streaks than some other cleaners. What's surprising is that it also helps kill mildew and prevent it from coming back. The Pesticide Research Institute also warns, "Never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia, because it forms harmful chlorine or chloramine gases." Spray the tiles using full strength household vinegar, and then wipe down the shower to shine the tiles. If you're concerned about mildew, you can also let the vinegar sit until it's dry, and then re-treat the walls and buff them using a rag to get rid of any spots.

How Shower Drains Can Benefit

An interesting thing happens when vinegar and baking soda combine. The mixture fizzes up, and this action helps clean out household drains. It's not as intense as a commercial drain cleaner, but it is beneficial. The baking soda and vinegar used to clean the tiles won't be potent enough to do much good once they reach the drain. But since you'll have them handy, you can sprinkle baking soda into the drain and add a little vinegar, and come away with a cleaner drain. Rinse the drain using warm water after the mixture sits for two or three minutes.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Shane White/iStock/Getty Images
bibliography-icon icon for annotation tool Cite this Article