Shower Tile Cleaner?

[SHRED]

I have scale build up on my shower tile. The tile is earth tone(s) and kinda of a"rough" surface...not smooth

What is the best tile cleaner you have found?

[Melissa G]

1. Magic eraser

if I am having hell with the hard water build up. Regular Bon Ami works okay, if I have a power scrub electric type tool like a dirt devil and more patience than I usually manage.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. That Magic eraser really IS magic!

We installed some glass tile in our shower. Frosted glass was the mistake we made. There was some residual left from the grout in the frosted glass. I was about at the point where I was going to "live with it" ..... until we used the Magic eraser. Done!

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. I don't think I am using this right.

Everyone I know seems to LOVE this widget, but I never got good results from it.

I am getting it wet, then wringing to 'damp' and trying to rub where the hard water (etc) has caused a haze and I get nothin'. Not using any cleaner nor prewetting/presoaking.

Am I doing something wrong?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

8. Hmmm. I don't know.

Hard water is a mystery to me living in Chicago. I've only used the eraser for grout and a very fine tint of a graying on my white tub. I thought I would never get that non-slip textured part clean again but it worked.

[Melissa G]

13. Probably needs more elbow grease...

It's magic, but you need to scrub like hell anyway, if the water is really hard.

Pick a half dollar coin size space and the go after it until you feel the ceramic surface become smooth beneath your fingers. That will tell you if it's working. If you got the small area smooth, then yeah, the problem was just elbow grease (effort). If real scrubbing effort in a small space does not get you somewhere, we may need a different product.

[Lugnut]

12. Magic erasers are fantastic!

I use them in the kitchen and bathrooms with Barkeepers and the results are very good. I've never found anything better.

[Scuba]

2. CLR (stands for calcium, lime, rust) will make you shower shine.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I'll add Bar Keeper's Friend to the list

The products above will all work. Bar Keeper's is a scouring powder with a mild acid in it. The acid enhances the lime scale removal.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. I second this, but didn't know you could use it on tile.

Lived by this product for stainless and pots/pans for over 20 years now - there is no substitute, IMO.

Will try it on some stubborn hard water/soap scum shower spots I have. Thanks for the heads up.

[flying_wahini]

14. Bar Keepers Friend is an EXCELLENT product

I use it a Lot on many things. It's great stuff.

[mbperrin]

26. Yes, this is everybody's friend!

We did repairs and remodeling for 20 years, and this was in my shower kit for first use.

[NMDemDist2]

4. once you get it clean by any of the above methods, use Pledge

it will take of the last of the scum and protect any more build up from happening

[Hassin Bin Sober]

15. Someone recommended Rainex for our glass tiles.

Haven't tried it yet but seems like a great idea. We installed frosted glass subway tiles all the way to the ceiling. We love it but it's hard to keep clean. The warm moist air hits the cold tile and condenses. The frost has a texture that's hard to keep clean. Definitely wish we went with smooth glass.

Pledge sounds interesting too.

[NMDemDist2]

16. i tried rainex on the glass in my new steam shower

didn't work near as well as the pledge

[Ruby the Liberal]

17. Are you using wood oil Pledge or aerosol?

Just spray it on like you are going to polish a table and let it dry?

[NMDemDist2]

18. regular Pledge, just spray it on a wipe

to a shine like on a table. not the wood oil, just the regular polish. it has wax that coats the glass

[Ruby the Liberal]

19. Have you tried this on ceramic tile?

[NMDemDist2]

20. yes

and glass, but not on porous surfaces. just make sure you don't use it on the floor, it will be slick

[Ruby the Liberal]

21. I love this idea.

Thanks!!

[gkhouston]

24. Hee, and now our shower will smell lemony!

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

[jwirr]

9. I am using Dawn dish soap to clean soap scum off the walls of my shower. It is working very good

but it does take some scrubbing.

[LiberalEsto]

10. Scrape gently with a razor blade

I don't like using chemical cleaners. I just did this in my daughter's apartment when they were rushing to move out, painting and cleaning. The razor did a beautiful job.
I wouldn't use it on a shower door though; it might scratch the glass.

[NMDemDist2]

22. fine steel wool works well also n/t

[snagglepuss]

25. White vinegar made into a paste using flour. Apply to tiles, leave overnight.

The next morning simply rinse off tiles. This also works magic on dish drainboards.

[Nay]

27. Huh! Snagglepuss, do you think this would work on a fiberglass shower enclosure? And is the flour

just a way to keep the acidic vinegar up against the tiles/sides?

[snagglepuss]

28. It can't hurt to try. I can't see why it wouldn't work on fiberglass and

yes the flour is added so it sticks to a surface.