Tips to keep bathroom tiles looking new

Your new bathroom tiles are shiny, with no visible cracks, chips or stains, and you want them to stay that way for as long as possible. But the reality of a wet, soapy bathroom where you're pouring water on the kids or bathing the family dog ​​makes that difficult to achieve.

Nothing ages a bathroom like dull or mold-blackened floor tiles. No matter how much you scrub, your bathroom will never shine like new. However, there are ways to keep your bathroom tiles looking shiny for as long as possible.

Here are the best tips shared by experts to keep your bathroom tiles looking like new for years .

Use sealant at least once a year

Natural stone tiles are porous and can absorb water, dirt, and soap scum. That's why the first recommendation is to use a sealant to protect your tile floors and sink countertops. Stone typically needs to be sealed every 12 months. You may want to consider sealing more frequently in bathrooms, which are exposed to moisture, soap, and hair products on a daily basis.

Even if you don't have porous tiles in your bathroom, you should still seal the grout at least once a year. Grout is difficult to clean once dirt has seeped in, leaving your floor looking dirty even after mopping. If your floor is properly sealed, dirt will be easy to wipe away.

Forget those lemon-scented floor cleaners.

Marble, travertine, and limestone are sensitive to acid and can be etched by anything containing vinegar or lemon juice. Even if your tiles are durable enough to withstand acid, the cleaner will strip the adhesive from the grout. Using the wrong cleaning product once and the adhesive is gone.

To keep your tiles looking like new, use a product that is specifically labeled for your flooring material. Make sure the tile cleaner does not contain citrus or other acidic ingredients unless you plan to re-seal the grout afterward.

Avoid using abrasive cleaning products.

Using abrasive cleaning products on tiles will age them prematurely. Harsh cleaning powders and gels can scratch the surface, as can hard brushes and scouring pads. These scratches trap dirt that is nearly impossible to remove.

Experts warn that as you start using increasingly harsh cleaning methods, your tiles can enter a "death spiral" of cracking, yellowing and mould.

If you spill something that stains your tiles or cannot be cleaned, stop what you are doing and call a professional.

Sweep away dirt and grit

In theory, just a grain of sand underfoot can scratch your bathroom tiles. That's why you should dust regularly and use rugs to keep dirt out. You'll reduce the chance of grit and sand scratching your tiles, and it'll also keep dirt from getting stuck in the pores and joints.

Use the right floor cleaning method

When it comes to mopping floors, Mayr has a few rules to follow. First, don't get your mop completely soaked—you'll just push dirty water around and leave mud in the grout lines. Your mop should only be damp enough that you can "lift a piece of bread off the floor ."

Second, always use a clean mop head, rinse it, and wring it out frequently while mopping. Replace dirty mop water as soon as you can no longer see the bottom of the bucket. And finally, keep multiple mop heads around the house so you can rotate them as you mop, throwing dirty mop heads in the washing machine.

Treat leaks immediately

Don't let moisture problems go unnoticed. When plumbing leaks or tiles or grout cracks, water can seep under bathroom tiles, creating a breeding ground for mold. At this point, you have a more serious problem to deal with.

You need to get to the root of the problem and fix it right away, whether that means calling a plumber, caulking a crack, or reinforcing the subfloor. You won't be able to keep your tiles looking pristine if water is constantly seeping in.

Shower wiper

Experts admit that not everyone wants to go through the trouble, but using a squeegee after showering will keep glass, porcelain, and tile looking cleaner longer. Soapy water leaves a scum residue and can cause hard water stains. Scented soaps and shampoos often contain acidic ingredients. Mildew also tends to build up quickly on bathroom tiles—especially in grout and grout—since these are the wettest areas in the room. A squeegee will effectively sweep away water and soap scum to keep your tiles looking their best.

Marvin Fry

Update 28 May 2025