3 ways to keep bathroom tiles clean and rust-free
Even a renovated bathroom won't stop the rust from trying to invade
A couple of years ago, a family member sent photographs to me of her newly renovated bathroom. But when she sent me pictures, I thought she was sending me magazine images of what she wanted her bathroom to look like. So I asked again what her bathroom actually looked like. She sent me a laughing emoji and said that actually is how her bathroom looks now. I was astonished. I’d been to this home many times so I knew what the “before” bathroom looked like. But when I recommended this contractor to her after seeing two other jobs he’d done in my own condominium, this was five times better. I didn’t even know he could do this level of work. I was speechless.
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Unfortunately, a year or so later, I saw the same problems with her new bathroom tiles as I saw with the old tiles. Although the new tiles were quadruple the size, rust and dirt were still doing a number on this small bathroom. It was a reminder to me that cleaning tiles must be done on a far more regular basis in order to keep a bathroom looking as new as it was once was. Shower water splashing the soap off the tiles is not good enough.
Best cleaning practices for having rust-free bathroom tiles
No matter what store-bought multi-purpose cleaner or commercial rust remover promises, some of the best ways to clean some types of bathroom tiles can come down to products that are already in your home: vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.
Mix 1/4 cup of lemon juice (or half a lemon) and a pinch of salt (or sprinkle salt on the slice of lemon). Apply it to the stained tile areas, and let it settle in place for a few minutes. Then scrub the mixture off. The citric acid in lemon juice forms iron citrate, which can then dissolve rust particles in bathroom tiles. This mild abrasive makes it that much easier to wash them away instead of scrubbing forever with less-acidic products that do more damage to the sponge than helping your bathroom.
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White vinegar has similar results without the salt. But the type of tile you’re cleaning is important.