Cleaning grout and tiles simply comes down to using the right method for the surface and knowing what to avoid. Grout is porous and stains easily, whereas tiles range from tough porcelain to delicate natural stone. The wrong cleaner can often do more harm than good.
This guide covers how to clean grout, shower tiles, bathroom and floor tiles, and how to handle mould, hard-water marks and slow drains along the way.
First, Know Your Tile
Not all tiles can be cleaned the same way, so the safest approach depends on the material.
The most common materials are ceramic and porcelain. They are hard-wearing and suited to most bathroom cleaners, covering the majority of Australian bathrooms.
Natural stone, such as marble, travertine, slate and limestone, is porous and sensitive to acids. Acidic cleaners, including vinegar, can etch and dull the surface, so stone needs a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner.
Then, when it comes to grout, sealed grout resists staining, whereas unsealed grout absorbs dirt and can benefit from gentler, more regular cleaning.
If you are not sure what you have, test any cleaner on a small, hidden area first. A quick spot test saves a lot of regret.
What To Clean Grout And Tiles With
There are a few common options:
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Warm water and a soft brush: the gentlest starting point for light build-up.
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A dedicated bathroom cleaner: made to dissolve soap scum and grime with less scrubbing.
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Bicarb soda paste: a mild abrasive that lifts surface staining from grout.
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Vinegar: often recommended, but worth caution. Vinegar is acidic, and repeated use can wear down cement grout and etch natural stone. Use it sparingly, and not on stone.
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Bleach: it whitens, but it can damage coloured grout and sealant, and it brings harsh fumes. Bleach-free options avoid those downsides.
Whichever you choose, work in a well-ventilated space and rinse surfaces afterwards.
How To Clean Grout, Step By Step
Grout often sits below the tile surface and traps dirt, which is why it discolours first. A gel cleaner works well here because it clings to the grout line instead of running off.
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Clear the area and give the tiles a quick rinse to remove loose dirt.
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Apply a bathroom gel cleaner, such as OzKleen Shower Power Gel, directly along the grout lines. A gel holds onto vertical grout so it has time to work.
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Leave it for the time stated on the label, then work along the grout with a soft brush. Avoid stiff wire brushes, which can wear grout away.
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Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry.
For everyday grime, this is usually enough. Deeper staining may need a second pass, and badly damaged grout may need resealing or regrouting.
How To Clean Shower Tiles And Screens
Showers collect soap scum, body oils and hard-water marks. A spray cleaner suits the large flat surfaces here.
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Wet the tiles and screen.
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Spray an even coat of a bathroom cleaner, such as OzKleen Shower Power, across tiles, screens and fixtures.
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Leave it for 30 to 60 seconds so it can break down soap scum and grime.
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Wipe with a soft cloth or non-scratch sponge, then rinse and dry for a streak-free finish.
A quick weekly spray keeps build-up from setting in and makes each clean faster. Note that Shower Power and other acidic cleaners are not suitable for marble, slate, terrazzo or other porous stone.
How To Clean Bathroom And Floor Tiles
The same approach works across bathroom walls and floors, with a couple of extras for floors:
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Sweep or vacuum floor tiles first to lift grit that could scratch during cleaning.
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Spray and wipe wall tiles as you would in the shower.
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For floors, mop with a diluted bathroom cleaner, then rinse. Pay attention to the grout lines, which show dirt most.
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Dry high-traffic areas to avoid slips and water spots.
Matte and textured floor tiles can hold dirt in their surface, so a soft brush along the grout helps lift it.
Tackling Mould In Grout And Silicone
Mould shows up as black or dark spots in grout lines and along silicone joints, especially in bathrooms with poor airflow. A bleach-free mould cleaner lets you treat it without harsh fumes.
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Apply a mould cleaner, such as OzKleen Mould Power, to the affected grout and silicone.
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Leave it to work for the time stated on the label.
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Wipe or lightly scrub the area, then rinse.
Improving airflow makes the biggest lasting difference. Run the exhaust fan, open a window after showers, and wipe down wet surfaces. If mould keeps returning across large areas, or appears behind tiles, it may point to a moisture problem worth having assessed.
Removing Hard-Water Marks And Limescale
In hard-water areas, tiles, glass and fixtures pick up chalky calcium and limescale that a general cleaner may not shift. A descaler is made for this.
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Use a descaler, such as OzKleen De-Scaler Power, on shower heads, taps, chrome fittings and glass.
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For shower heads and small fixtures, soak them in diluted descaler to loosen deposits.
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Spot test first, and note that descalers are acidic, so they are not suitable for natural stone, porous surfaces or coloured enamel.
Removing scale does more than restore shine. It also helps taps and shower heads flow properly again.
Don't Forget The Drain
A clean shower is let down by a slow, smelly drain. Hair, soap and grease build up out of sight.
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Clear visible hair from the drain cover.
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Use a drain cleaner, such as OzKleen Drain Power, to dissolve the build-up that causes blockages and odours.
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As a habit, treat drains regularly to keep them free-flowing.
A free-flowing drain also stops water pooling on the floor, which is one of the damp conditions mould thrives in.
Cleaning Natural Stone Tiles: What To Avoid
Marble, travertine, slate and limestone look beautiful but are acid-sensitive. This is the one area where the usual bathroom cleaners are not the right choice.
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Avoid acidic cleaners, including vinegar, lemon and acidic descalers, which can etch and dull stone.
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Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for natural stone.
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Wipe spills promptly, and reseal stone periodically as your supplier recommends.
When in doubt, check with your tile supplier about the right product for your stone.
Keeping Grout And Tiles Cleaner For Longer
A little maintenance means far less scrubbing later:
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Squeegee or wipe shower screens and tiles after use to cut down water marks.
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Run the exhaust fan and air out the bathroom to discourage mould.
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Do a light weekly clean rather than waiting for build-up.
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Consider sealing grout, which helps it resist staining.
Small habits keep grout brighter and tiles clearer between deeper cleans.
Which OzKleen Product For Which Job
If you would rather reach for a ready-made option, here is a simple guide to the OzKleen bathroom range. All are made in Queensland and free from bleach, chlorine and ammonia.
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Grout lines: Shower Power Gel, which clings to vertical grout.
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Shower tiles, screens and fixtures: Shower Power spray.
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Mould in grout and silicone: Mould Power, a bleach-free mould cleaner.
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Hard-water marks and limescale: De-Scaler Power (not for natural stone).
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Slow or smelly drains: Drain Power.
Shop the OzKleen bathroom range or find OzKleen in-store. Always check each label for surface guidance before you start.