How To Clean Shower Tiles Without Scrubbing: 11 Effective Methods

Mix ½ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of soap in a spray bottle. Then, cover your shower tiles with the solution. Let it sit for 30 minutes before you sweep up the residue with a sponge and rinse.

Scrubbing shower tiles is tiring and time-consuming, is it not?

No one wants aching arms after hours of scrubbing dirty shower tiles (and ruining their brand new acrylic nails in the process as I do).

That’s where this article kicks in and saves you both time and pain. Below, you will find 11 effective solutions you can use to clean shower tiles without any scrubbing.

They all include common products you can use such as baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, etc. That said, let’s dive right in!

How To Clean Shower Tiles Without Scrubbing: 11 Methods

Shower tiles gather dirt and grime over time, so it’s normal to get a dirty shower over time. But it’s the bacteria and other nasty germs you should be worried about.

If you don’t like scrubbing shower tiles (who does?) you can apply any of the following effective solutions and get clean shower tiles in record time without scrubbing.

Before You Get Cleaning, Prep Your Shower Tiles!

No matter the type of shower you have, you should run hot water for about 5-10 minutes and let the hot water and steam loosen any tough dirt and grime build-up.

If you have a bath, close your shower curtain while running hot water so you can trap as much steam as possible. If you have a free-standing shower with a door, shut down the door firmly during this whole process.

If your shower has a movable or removable head, that’s even better. You can point the hot water over the dirtiest spots so that any build-up is loosened.

Once your shower has been running for about 10 minutes, turn it down. Then, using a rough textured clean cloth, gently wipe your shower tiles in a circular motion.

Warning: Be careful when turning on/off your shower that you don’t burn yourself.

Method 1: Baking Soda & Hydrogen Peroxide

You can easily find these two products in most stores. They’re great for cleaning shower tiles, especially when combined together.

Mix ½ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 1 teaspoon of dish soap in a clean spray bottle. Then, apply the solution to the dirt and grime build-up.

Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, sweep up the residue with a cleaning sponge, then rinse. This solution will not only clean your shower tiles but also clean stains.

Method 2: White Vinegar & Detergent

You can make homemade shower tiles cleaner with white vinegar and detergent. The acidic content of the vinegar will successfully remove dirt, grime, and foul odors.

Mix equal amounts of vinegar and detergent in a spray bottle and spray your shower tiles. Let it sit for 1 hour, then rinse. All the stains and dirt particles will magically vanish.

Method 3: White Vinegar & Baking Soda

If you have baking soda and white vinegar laying around your house, mix the two and you will get a very effective shower tile cleaner.

Mix equal amounts of both products and make a paste, then apply the paste to the tiles and let it sit for about 1 hour. Finally, rinse, and voila!

Method 4: Hydrogen Peroxide & Borax

If you’re dealing with extremely dirty shower tiles, you can use hydrogen peroxide and borax and clean your shower tiles without scrubbing.

They’re both cleaning agents, so give this solution a try. Apply the borax on your shower tiles first. Let it sit for about 5 hours, then pour hydrogen peroxide over it and let it sit for 2 more hours. Finally, rinse with hot water and enjoy your clean shower tiles.

Method 5: Bleach & Baking Soda

You can also clean dirty shower tiles with a mixture of baking soda and bleach. Mix ¼ cup of liquid bleach and ¾ cup of baking soda and create a paste.

Then, apply the paste to the shower tiles with a cleaning sponge and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Finally, rinse with hot water, and your job here is done!

If you’re dealing with stubborn dirt in particular parts, gently remove it with the sponge you used to apply the paste or a toothbrush you no longer use.

Method 6: Clorox Bleach & Hot Water

If you’ve tried the previous methods and they didn’t work, try Clorox bleach. Note that it’s not recommended to clean your shower tiles regularly.

Mix Clorox bleach and hot water in a 1:4 ratio. Then, spray your shower tiles with this mixture and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. Finally, rinse and air dry.

Method 7: Chlorine Bleach & Water

Chlorine bleach isn’t only a powerful cleaner but also a disinfectant. There are things to remember when using this product for cleaning purposes.

First, you should always open the windows and leave the shower door, if any, wide open to prevent a build-up of a pungent odor. Overall, make sure that your shower is properly ventilated.

Second, you should never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or white vinegar products as they can release dangerous fumes.

Lastly, use older cleaning towels or cloths when cleaning with chlorine bleach as it can damage fabrics.

I would also suggest using protective gloves and a face mask with a filter when cleaning with bleach, in general.

Mix ¾ cup of chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. Apply the solution all over the tiles. Let it sit for about 15 minutes before you rinse your shower tiles with water.

Method 8: Alkaline Cleaners

You can purchase alkaline cleaners at any store. They’re generally mild on shower tiles but still effective. Read the instructions on the package and use the cleaner you buy accordingly.

In general, for regular cleaning, you should mix 4-6 ounces and 1 gallon of water but for stubborn stains and very dirty shower tiles, you should mix 1 part alkaline cleaner and 2 parts water.

Apply the mixture with a sponge and let it sit for about 5 minutes. For better results, you can “agitate” the tiles with a sponge to loosen any stains and build-up. Finally, rinse and you’re done!

Method 9: Magic Eraser

If you’re dealing with stains and not dirt build-up, you can use a magic eraser. Rub it gently on the stained areas or spots covered with mildew.

Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Note that a magic eraser won’t work on stubborn stains or shower tiles that haven’t been cleaned for too long.

It’s suitable for everyday stains only. Therefore, if you’re dealing with older stains, apply any of the other more effective solutions mentioned above.

Method 10: Phosphoric Acid Cleaner

A phosphoric acid cleaner can help you remove even the most stubborn stains and dirt build-up. The best part? These cleaners can be used on different surfaces.

Note that the cleaning solution shouldn’t come in touch with your skin. Otherwise, you can experience skin irritation at least and severe burns in the worst-case scenario. So, use rubber gloves when cleaning with a phosphoric acid cleaner.

Apply the solution to your shower tiles and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, rinse with cold water and you’re done! Always follow the instructions on the package.

Method 11: Steam Cleaner

If you’re not a fan of both commercial and homemade cleaning solutions, you can easily clean your dirty shower tiles with a steam cleaner.

This tool heats water and produces high-pressure steam that will turn dirt into a smudge you can either wipe away or rinse off.

When buying a steam cleaner, pick a model with a nozzle and different attachments for treating different surfaces and use it as instructed in the user manual.

Extra Tip: Unclog Your Drain

The reason why you should clean your drain regularly is that a clogged shower drain will not only cause bad odors but also help dirt pile up inside your shower.

Human hair is one of the main causes of shower clogs but you can easily remove it with a wire coat hanger. Strengthen it up and use the hook to remove the debris.

Simply push it down your drain far enough that it goes past the debris. Once you’re sure the debris is stuck to the hook, gently pull the wire coat hanger back out, and voila!

Lastly, if you removed the drain cap, add a new one. You should clean your drain in this matter weekly, especially if you or someone at home has long hair.

FAQs On How To Clean Shower Tiles Without Scrubbing

What Causes Dirty Shower Tiles?

Common causes for dirty shower tiles include wastewater, piled-up dirt, soap, hard water, detergents, etc.

What Not to Use on Dirty Shower Tiles?

Avoid abrasives that can stain or damage your shower tiles. Also, don’t apply bleach or other acids directly on your shower tiles without diluting them in water first, as they can cause discoloration. Powdered acids can clog your drain so avoid those as well.

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