So you’ve probably been reading a lot of lifestyle magazines and have always wished you could have that perfect bathroom with all the right fixtures, equipment and accessories. You’ve probably thought about spending your time in a bath or perhaps you’ve dreamt of a contemporary, chic bathroom with lovely tiles and lighting, that make the bathroom even more luxurious. If you have managed to realize this dream by making improvements to your bathroom or you have just completed a renovation project, that’s great! But that’s only half the job, as maintaining this new look would take an equal amount of effort although for a much longer period of time.

For any bathroom to retain its modern look and for the tiles to retain their shine, you would have to keep cleaning your bathroom and ensure that you use proper products.

Tiles

Tiles, whether wall tiles or floor tiles, need a lot of care. This depends largely on the type of tiles that you have purchased. While ceramic tiles are likely to last long and are easy to maintain, other tiles such as those made of granite or marble, require extra care. You would have to use a good tile cleaner with a sponge that is not too coarse, to get rid of any grime and dirt on the tiles, especially in the case of wall tiles. Although using a mop could help, it may not get rid of all the dirt. The grout that is used between the tiles is usually white and may collect dirt and lose its color quite quickly. You would need to replace this grout every few years. But during these years you can use various chemicals that would get rid of this dirt instantly. Be careful not to let the tiles chip or get scratched, as some tiles are more prone to this than others. Also be careful not to push, drag or drop heavy objects on your bathroom tiles. Although most tiles are water resistant, over the years it could lead to problems if your bathroom wall/floor is always wet.

Other fixtures and fittings

Other fittings such as sinks, showers and taps would also require constant cleaning, as over the years it could collect grime. Special cleaning chemicals can be found at stores that sell bathroom products. If you have a vanity sink, you would also have to take good care of the countertop, regardless of the type of material it is made of. If you have fixtures made of brass, these require extra care as they could get easily tarnished.

Toilet cleaners should also be used for the toilet and bidet. Both the toilet bowl and the tank would require cleaning every week.

Clean all your bathroom mirrors regularly and also make sure to unplug the drain. Pouring vinegar down the sink always helps.

In order to prevent the occurrence of mildew, you would have to spray the ceiling in your bathroom every few months with a special chemical.

General cleaning tips

Always wear clean footwear to the bathroom as you do not want it to get too muddy. Keep a separate pair for this purpose. Walking in to the bathroom after a day outdoors could cause the bathroom tiles to get scratched without your knowledge.

Although most household detergents work, keep in mind not to use any chemicals that are too harsh for any part of the bathroom.