Caring for Bathroom Tiles, Grout: Three Tips

Shower TileConsider this fun fact: in a home where three family members shower about once per day, 365 days a year, the shower is actually used more than 1,000 times in a single year. This heavy usage can create the need to regularly maintain your tiles and grout to not only keep them clean, but sealed and looking new.

Unfortunately, some of the products sold on the market today to clean tile and grout sometimes contain harsh chemicals that deliver a quick fix to the eye, but can eventually weaken your grout’s strength over time. As a result, mildewing and discoloration can occur.

And the worst part: bathroom grout that absorbs water can eventually grow mildew and permanently stain. In this situation, the only fix at this point is a complete regrout — a rather expensive option.

So, how do you keep your showers looking clean, while steering clear from harsh cleaning chemicals? One suggestion is to create a mixture of approximately one-third white vinegar to two-thirds water, use a soft scrub brush and a little “elbow grease.”

Here are three other tips:

  1. Seal the grout. Most professional contractors, as well as home improvement stores, offer sealing products. These products add water repellency back into the grout that’s lost over time. Seal at least once or twice a year, depending on how many people use the shower on a regular basis.
  2. Invest in a squeegee. Ideally, try to find a squeegee with a suction cup that can mount in your shower, making it easier to access when you need it. Use it after each shower to help allow less water to dry on your shower’s grout, tile and shower doors, in doing so leaving less mineral deposits behind.
  3. Take advice from a pro. Finally, it does not hurt to have an annual visit from a professional contractor to keep your shower looking new. While some homeowners may not be thrilled about this suggestion from a financial aspect, it beats the cost of having to rip out your shower and install a new one when issues arise.

For more information about caring for, or remodeling your bathroom, contact Republic West Remodeling. We have a team of leading Scottsdale bathroom remodelers that you can help you create your dream bathroom.

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