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Cleaning between tiles in bathroom

(29 Posts)
gingin Tue 30-Jul-13 08:03:20

Can anyone tell me an easy way to clean between the ceramic tiles in my bathroom? The grout goes black and the only way I can get it reasonably clean is with detergent and an old toothbrush. Is there an easier way?

Gally Tue 30-Jul-13 08:05:37

I use bleach and an old toothbrush - whitens it up immediately

Sook Tue 30-Jul-13 08:10:14

gingin I remember buying grout cleaner a few years ago possibly from B&Q or such like. Like Galen I use an old toothbrush and bleach.

whenim64 Tue 30-Jul-13 08:14:37

Me too, using Flash with bleach spray. I spray heavily at the top, let it run down the tiles for a minute or two, and scrub the discoloured bits with a toothbrush. Quick wipe and it's done.

sunseeker Tue 30-Jul-13 08:17:17

Hand held steam cleaner works a treat - except on the silicone sealer!

Bags Tue 30-Jul-13 08:31:52

Dettol Mould and Mildew Remover (contains bleach but you don't have to scrub).

glassortwo Tue 30-Jul-13 08:36:48

I use a strong bleach solution in a spray bottle give the tiles a good spray and leave to soak, then depending how grubby they are either a wipe over or a toothbrush on the stubborn bits.

Bez Tue 30-Jul-13 08:40:11

I have found the bathroom mould remover Lakeland sell to be very good - spray it on, leave for about twenty minutes and rinse off. They have added a new cheaper one to their range and that works well too.
As a matter of course I wipe the tiles down with an E cloth each time I have a shower and find that keeps them nice and clean.

Iam64 Tue 30-Jul-13 08:43:21

So, we all use bleach and old toothbrushes - when I saw the title I imagined lots of new ideas, but the oldies are the best. We've just had a new bathroom so currently the grout remains white. Our youngest has finally moved out - so no more spray tan filling the grout when she showers several times a day. ( she used the bleach and tooth brush routine when she did her weekly penance and cleaned the shower)

glassortwo Tue 30-Jul-13 08:47:36

sunseeker I have been pondering on getting a new steamer (with the hand steamer) my old steamer packed in a couple of months ago and doing the floor with a mop and elbow grease is a pain , they make you lazy dont they. grin

Ella46 Tue 30-Jul-13 08:47:48

I also use bleach, but since I started using a window squeegee thingy to wipe down tiles and doors after every shower, I find much less mildew, and glass doors don't need cleaning as often either.

Nelliemoser Tue 30-Jul-13 09:10:05

Good Grief! A thread about cleaning grout in the bathroom! What ever next on Gransnet?
A cleaning thread should be regarded in the same light as pornography.
It would be different if it was how for clean caviar off your pearls and cashmere twinset.
wink

Ella46 Tue 30-Jul-13 09:13:16

Nellie We would just ask Galen! grin

kittylester Tue 30-Jul-13 09:21:27

Actually, I don't imagine Galen ever does anything so unladylike as to drop food down her pearls and twinset. grin

Mishap Tue 30-Jul-13 09:38:58

Just don't lets go there - my OH has always been obsessed with this and his solution is prevention. Every time anyone has a shower he diligently dries every millimeter of the shower and tiles. It became a bit of a joke in our house. He would follow us around saying "Have you had you shower yet?/when are you having your shower?" - he needed to schedule in the drying ritual. It drives us all mad - but we respond with humour. No choice or we would go nuts!!

janeainsworth Tue 30-Jul-13 09:56:03

Agree with bags dettol mould and mildew remover does the job.
I also use a daily shower spray - just spray it on after you've had a shower and it stops the mould building up.
Good ventilation's important too.

Iam64 Tue 30-Jul-13 09:59:47

Nelliemoser - I know, shocking isn't it! See When's thread on women's magazines, I'd have been mortified as a young woman to even consider grout cleaning..... but how life changes us all eh.

Charleygirl Tue 30-Jul-13 10:05:50

I agree with Janeainsworth-after I have a shower I use the daily shower spray and it keeps the glass and tiles clean. I have never had to worry about cleaning the grout. I just spray and leave and within 30 minutes it is dry again.
My shower etc is not quite 2 years old so I thought that I would look after it from day 1.

harrigran Tue 30-Jul-13 12:19:30

DH is like Mishap's he cleans and dries every bit of the shower, it looks good when he is finished. If it pleases him to do it, so be it, I let him get on with it smile

grannyactivist Tue 30-Jul-13 13:14:10

Funnily enough I've just cleaned my shower this morning. I tend to do it once a week, so there is no build up of mould etc, but I usually spray (there's a half price bathroom spray at Waitrose at the moment that smells like a spa) and then use a window wiper thingy to dry surfaces before squirting a preventive bit of bleach around. Rinse off after five/ten minutes and the job's done. smile

grannyactivist Tue 30-Jul-13 13:16:29

I love the smell of 'clean'. Polish, dettol, bleach, cleaning sprays etc. are all nectar to me. (I exclude air fresheners and shake and vak type products which I associate with 'covering up' smells that are not 'clean'.)

Galen Tue 30-Jul-13 13:19:04

Believe it or not, I'm actually wearing pearls and a twinset.
When I clean my pearls I do it in a sonic bath.

grannyactivist Tue 30-Jul-13 13:31:00

Galen grin You're such a lady!

Gally Tue 30-Jul-13 13:34:10

Good heavens Galen! Do you have to wear a helmet or any other protective clothing (apart from a twinset and pearls) in a 'sonic shower' grin

Galen Tue 30-Jul-13 13:38:45

No, but it makes my teeth sparkle!grin