the 10-minute declutter Make your home minimal in no time
Tiles looking dull and grimy? Here’s how to get them good as new
Don’t forget taps or showerheads – remove soapy residue and limescale using a vinegar and water solution
1 START FROM THE GROUND UP clear the floor of any bags, shoes and movable furniture. Sweep the floor of any dust and loose dirt. If your tiles are ceramic, a steam cleaner is the best (and easiest) option – it’ll blast away any dirt without soaking the tiles too much. Vinyl tiles are best mopped with a 1:10 solution of vinegar and water. Stone, slate or terracotta tiles should be cleaned with a special cleaning solution – normal cleaners may stain the surface. When done, keep the room out of bounds to everyone until the floor is completely dry.
2 TACKLE YOUR KITCHEN TILES Give the tiles a quick once-over with a damp cloth to remove any dust. Run a sponge under hot water and wipe away any greasy marks and stains – the hotter the sponge, the better, so you may need to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Next, using a basin of hot soapy water (dishwashing liquid is fine), wipe the tiles in a circular motion to clean away the dirt. Use a kitchen cleaning solution for any stubborn stains and, finally, wipe off any residue using a clean, damp dishcloth. Dry with a tea towel.
3 DON’T FORGET YOUR GROUT If your grout is covered in mould growth (quite common in bathrooms due to the excessive moisture) you’ll need to tackle it with bleach or a specialist grout cleaner. It’s not advisable to do this often, as these strong solutions can damage the grout. The best option is to clean it little and often with a natural product. mix bicarbonate of soda and water into a paste and, using an old toothbrush, scrub the paste into the grout and leave for an hour before rinsing off.
4 CLEAN YOUR BATHROOM TILES A steam cleaner works wonders on bathroom tiles, blasting all the dried soap scum away. otherwise, a natural bathroom cleaner together with a lot of elbow grease is the way to go. Start from the corner out, wiping in a circular motion, making sure you cover an area thoroughly before moving on to the next. Rinse the wall completely before it dries.