How to Clean Tiles the Eco-Friendly Way
Tiles are ideal for your home, as they’re virtually non-porous and won’t absorb dirt, smoke, or fumes. Additionally, tiles require very minimal upkeep.
Regular cleaning is the best way to keep your tiles looking their best. The frequency of your cleaning will depend on how often you use it and the foot traffic in your home, but generally speaking, once a week should be sufficient.
Vinegar
If you’re searching for an environmentally friendly way to clean your bathroom tiles, vinegar is ideal. Not only does it disinfect surfaces, but it also removes stains and hard water deposits from your tiles.
Vinegar is often included in cleaning solutions because it breaks down grime and prevents bacteria from growing. Not only that, but vinegar also adds shine and freshness to tiles.
However, it’s essential to remember that vinegar can damage marble and other porous stones such as travertine or limestone. Furthermore, vinegar has the potential to stain and discolor natural stone tiles.
Soap
Soap scum is an issue that many bathrooms experience. Although it can be challenging to remove, you can try several straightforward techniques.
For severe soap scum build-up, mix dish soap, and vinegar together and spray onto tiles. Allow this solution to sit for 30 minutes before brushing away any buildup.
If any soap scum remains, use a scrub brush to scrape it away gently. Be mindful not to scratch your tile while doing this, as this could lead to damage.
Bleach
Bleach is an affordable household product used to sanitize tiles and kill germs. Not only that, but it’s also effective at removing stains from grout lines as well.
Sodium hypochlorite, the critical component in bleach, is a highly reactive compound that becomes unstable when exposed to acids and sunlight.
When this occurs, chlorine gas is produced, which may irritate the lungs.
However, exercising caution when handling the solution can be an effective and safe way to clean your tiles and grout.
To disinfect your tile floor, mix 3 to 6 parts water with one bleach. This will not only disinfect the floor but also eliminate germs and bacteria that could be causing allergies.
Pencil Eraser
Pencil erasers are essential tools for students and professionals, providing smudge-free removal of marks without scratching or damaging paper.
Erasers are made with rubber, which can be either natural or synthetic. They also contain pumice, pigments, vegetable oil, sulfur, and other components that alter their properties.
In 1770, English chemist Joseph Priestley discovered that caoutchouc, commonly known as “rubber,” effectively wiped off black lead pencil marks. This discovery soon led to the invention of pencil erasers with this substance as its surface.
At the eraser factory, rubber comes in bales and is mixed with other ingredients before extrusion. Sulfur is added to the rubber for vulcanization, increasing resiliency while decreasing rigidity. Finally, fine pumice powder is added as an abrasive.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is an eco-friendly cleaning agent that’s accessible, affordable, and eco-friendly. You can easily use it to deodorize various surfaces around your home – including bathroom tiles.
It can effectively remove dirt and stains, such as mold, mildew, and rust. Furthermore, it’s safe to use on tile grout which may become stained or discolored over time.
You can also scrub toilets, tubs, and sinks using baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge to wipe down your tub, sink, or bathroom.
For tougher stains, create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with 1 part water and adding hydrogen peroxide. This will make an adhesive that coats your tile surface evenly. Let sit for around 30 minutes before using a brush to scrub away any remaining grime gently.
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