There is an age old ritual in Indian families which has been
passing on from one generation to another. Ever seen your mother getting busier
as the festivals come calling? Is it just a coincidence? Definitely not! We all
want to look our best during festive seasons and our houses are no different.
Especially towards the end of the every year, we get busy in beautifying our
homes in the best way possible.
As they say, ‘Drive away the darkness and move into the
light’. This is where tiles enter the fray. As tiles form a major part of our
homes, cleaning them becomes the utmost priority. Pale, old and yellowish tiles
can be noticed from far out and don’t go well with the festive-y feel.
Irrespective of the occasion, every home maker would want a
spic and span feeling inside the house whether that means getting all the floor
tiles scrubbed or hand cleaning the wall tiles or whitening the bathroom and kitchen
tiles.
Bathroom Tiles:
A 50/50 vinegar and water solution will clean tile,
counters, cabinet fronts and soap scum in the shower.
A baking soda and water paste will clean stuck on gunk in
the shower and tub (use vinegar instead of water for really tough stains).
For grout, sprinkle baking soda on the floor and spray with
undiluted hydrogen peroxide and scrub with a gentle toothbrush.
For wall tile, painted door frames, spots on the doors,
outside of toilet, etc, my homemade all purpose cleaner will clean and disinfect.
Floor Tiles:
Clean tile with mild detergent and clean water, using a rag
or chamois-type mop rather than a sponge mop. Change water frequently while
cleaning.
If your tiles look hazy, use acid like fresh lemon juice on
ceramic tiles (but never on marble). Rinse thoroughly with clean water, and
buff dry with a clean lint-free cloth.
For great looking grout, clean using a paste of baking soda
and water. Rub it on the stain, let it sit overnight, then scrub the stain in
the morning with a stiff nylon brush (a metal brush will damage the grout).
Kitchen Tiles Grease:
Wrap a dusting rag around the bristles of a broom. Fasten it
in place with safety pins or binder clips, arranging them so they won't scrape
the wall.
Dust the wall from top to bottom with the broom. Get into
the upper corners where spider webs and dust tend to collect.
Fill one bucket with ¼ cup of liquid cleaning detergent and
1 gallon of warm water. Add up to 1 cup vinegar if the walls have a grease
film. Fill the other bucket with clear warm water.
Dampen a sponge in the soapy water. Wash the walls beginning
at the bottom and working your way up. Wipe down the wall in small sections,
using a circular motion.
Moisten food stains with a small amount of water and allow
it to soak and loosen the stain for five minutes before wiping it off with the
sponge.
Scrub stubborn stains lightly with a mildly abrasive sponge,
taking care not to damage the paint or tile. Wipe the wall a second time with
the clear water. Dry it with a clean towel.
With the most difficult areas of your house clean, cleaning
the rest of the house is just a piece of cake :-) Have a great #FestiveSeason
and celebrate the #BeautifulLife!
After all that has been said and done, tiles need your
utmost attention as they occupy a larger portion of your home decor and
interior design segment inside your house. Simply follow these tips and you’re
good to go!
