Let’s be honest, keeping those tiles and grout gleaming can feel like a never-ending battle. Fear not. Learning how to clean a walk-in tiled shower doesn’t have to be rocket science.
Read on for more of the best cleaning solutions, techniques, and time-saving tips so you can transform your shower from grimy to glorious. We’re going beyond just the basics, tackling those stubborn stains and sharing how to keep your shower clean longer, so you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your spotless oasis!
Essential Tools & Cleaning Products for a Sparkling Shower
Before we start scrubbing, let’s gather the essential cleaning supplies. Having these items gathered will make cleaning your walk-in tiled shower a lot easier:
Materials Needed:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Dish soap (liquid)
- Spray bottle(s)
- Scrub brush or old toothbrush
- Microfiber cloths or soft sponge
- Rubber gloves
You might be wondering why we haven’t included any fancy, commercial cleaners in this list. While those can have their place, especially for super tough situations, starting with natural cleaning agents like white vinegar and baking soda is often enough to get the job done.
These simple, inexpensive ingredients are powerful cleaning agents and are less likely to damage your tiles and grout than harsh chemicals.
Prepping Your Shower for a Deep Clean
A little bit of prep work will help those cleaning solutions work their magic even better. It also ensures you’re not spreading dirt around while you clean. Prepping your shower is an important part of cleaning a walk-in tiled shower.
Steps to Prep Your Shower
- Remove everything: That means shampoo bottles, conditioner bottles, soap bars, razors… anything and everything. This clears your workspace and gives you full access to all those nooks and crannies.
- Quick Rinse: Give the entire shower – walls, floor, and shower head – a quick rinse with warm water. This loosens surface dirt and dust.
- Target Stubborn Areas: If you have particularly stubborn soap scum buildup or mildew, pretreat those areas. You can either let a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water sit on those spots for 10-15 minutes, or use a commercial bathroom cleaner according to its instructions.
Tackling the Shower Walls
Time to get down to business. The shower walls are often the main culprit when it comes to soap scum and mildew buildup. Remember, the right cleaning approach also depends on your tile material. Avoid using acidic cleaners like vinegar on stone surfaces, as these can cause etching. A pH-neutral stone cleaner would be more appropriate in this situation.
For most standard ceramic or porcelain tiles, though, vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaning option. You should determine if you have ceramic tile or natural stone as well.
Effective Shower Walls Cleaning Method
- Create your cleaning solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. If you prefer a slightly stronger cleaner, add a teaspoon or two of dish soap to the mix.
- Spray liberally: Saturate the shower walls, paying extra attention to areas with noticeable soap scum or mildew.
- Let it sit: Allow the cleaning solution to work its magic for 10-15 minutes. This will help soften the grime and make scrubbing much easier.
- Time to scrub: Put on those rubber gloves and grab your scrub brush or an old toothbrush. Work your way from the top down, gently scrubbing away soap scum and mildew.
- Rinse: After scrubbing, rinse the walls thoroughly with clean water. Be sure to rinse from top to bottom so the dirty water flows down and out.
- Buff dry: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the shower walls and achieve that streak-free shine. You’ll want a good microfiber cloth for this. Using the AmazonBasics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth may be a good choice as it does not scratch the surface.
Conquering the Grout Lines
Grout lines are notorious for harboring grime, mildew, and sometimes even mold. Because grout is porous, it absorbs dirt and moisture, making it a breeding ground for these unsightly (and potentially unhealthy) problems. That’s where a baking soda paste comes to the rescue. Here’s how to clean your grout lines effectively:
Using a Baking Soda Paste on Your Grout Lines
- Make your paste: Mix baking soda with water until you get a thick paste with a consistency similar to toothpaste. Baking soda is great for grout cleaning because it is a natural abrasive.
- Apply the paste: Spread the baking soda paste generously over your grout lines. If you’re only dealing with mild staining, let it sit for 15-30 minutes.
- Optional Vinegar Boost: If your grout is particularly stained, after the baking soda paste has sat, spray the paste with a mixture of white vinegar and water. This will create a fizzing reaction that helps lift deep-set dirt.
- Scrub, scrub, scrub: Now grab that old toothbrush or a small grout brush. This will allow you to get into those narrow grout lines effectively. Don’t underestimate the importance of the right tools.
- Final Rinse: Once you’ve given all those grout lines a good scrub, rinse thoroughly with clean water, wiping away any residual paste.
Mastering the Shower Floor
The shower floor is the splash zone. So it faces its own set of challenges: soap residue, hair buildup, and potentially stubborn hard water stains, particularly in areas with hard water. Let’s conquer that shower floor and get it shining:
Deep Cleaning Your Shower Floor
- Double-Duty Cleaning: Use the same vinegar-water solution you used on the shower walls. Spray generously, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and scrub away with your trusty brush or sponge. If you are dealing with tough stains, consider using a specialized shower cleaner like X-14. This type of shower cleaner is designed to address challenging stains without being overly harsh.
- Targeting Hard Water Stains: White vinegar can sometimes be helpful with hard water stains, but for tougher deposits, consider a limescale remover specifically formulated for bathroom surfaces. You can try using a product such as CLR PRO Calcium Lime Rust Remover which is a commercial-grade product that can remove calcium, lime, and rust buildup.
Don’t Forget the Shower Head
The shower head is often overlooked, but if you’re cleaning thoroughly, you don’t want to skip this important step. Mineral deposits can clog shower head holes and reduce water pressure. Plus, you wouldn’t want bacteria and mildew accumulating on a part that literally showers water all over you, right? Luckily, giving your showerhead some love is a simple task.
Giving Your Shower Head Some TLC
You don’t even need to take the shower head off. Simply fill a plastic bag with a mixture of white vinegar and water, ensuring the shower head is fully submerged in the solution. Secure it with a rubber band and leave it to soak for an hour or even overnight.
Once done, remove the bag and run the shower on hot for a few minutes to flush out any lingering debris. A quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth, and you’re good to go.
Also Read: How to Clean a Shower Curtain and Liner
Tips for Maintaining a Clean Shower (and Preventing Tiresome Scrubbing)
Once your walk-in tiled shower is sparkling clean, you naturally want to keep it that way for as long as possible. This is where those preventative measures come in. A little routine maintenance can make your next deep clean a breeze.
Making Your Shower Stay Cleaner Longer
- Squeegee It: Keeping a squeegee in the shower and giving the walls and floor a quick wipe down after each use helps to prevent water spots and reduce soap scum buildup.
- Keep It Dry: Proper ventilation is key. Run the bathroom fan for at least 20 minutes after each shower, or open a window to let out excess moisture. Excess moisture makes it easy for mildew and mold to grow.
- Weekly Spritz: Once a week, spritz your shower walls with your DIY vinegar solution, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. It only takes a minute but can prevent grime from taking hold.
- Store Strategically: Keep your bar soap in a soap dish that allows it to dry properly, rather than directly on the shower floor or ledge. This can help reduce soap scum buildup.
- Consider a Shower Spray: Cleaning professionals often suggest leaving a dish scrubber in the shower to do quick touch-ups, like scrubbing at stubborn spots.
- Combat Hard Water: If you live in a hard water area, using a water softener can go a long way toward preventing mineral buildup on your shower fixtures and tiles. That being said, hard water can still be an issue, even with a water softener.
- Sealing Your Grout: Regularly sealing your grout, ideally once or twice a year, helps prevent staining and moisture absorption. To tackle your grout problems you can try using a grout sealer such as Impregnator 511. Sealer helps extend the time between deep cleans.
- Tackle all areas: Don’t forget to clean all areas before they become a problem. Take the drain for example. Leaving the drain to clog can cause more than serious issues at a later stage. Rather than waiting for that to happen, use a long piece of wire to remove some of the unwanted hair that can later cause a blockage.
Also see: How To Clean Bathroom Sink: Step by Step Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent soap scum buildup in my walk-in shower?
To minimize soap scum buildup, consider using a squeegee after each shower. This quick action will help prevent residue from adhering to the tiles, making your cleaning process much easier.
What should I do if I notice mold in my shower?
If you spot mold, spray a mixture of bleach and water on the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Regular cleaning and ventilation can help prevent mold from returning.
Can I use a steam cleaner in my walk-in tiled shower?
Yes, a steam cleaner can be an effective tool for cleaning your shower. It sanitizes surfaces while loosening grime, making the cleaning process much easier. Just ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
Conclusion
You no longer have to dread tackling that walk-in tiled shower. Armed with the right cleaning solutions, the essential tools, and some time-saving tricks, keeping those tiles and grout shining like new can become a manageable part of your cleaning routine.
You can make the job easier with preventative measures to keep the shower area looking clean between deep cleans. Reclaim those relaxing moments under the hot water – in a sparkling clean shower. Not in the mood for all the cleaning fuss? Leave it to the pros. At MasterMaid, we clean like it’s nobody’s business! Give us a call or book with us for the perfect cleaning solutions tailored to fit your needs!