Nevertheless, they need to be cleaned and cared for just like everything else in your home – even if it does take a little longer. Usually it’s the shower tiles that take the worst beating. Kitchen tiles can certainly end up grimy and covered in spaghetti sauce or even suffer a tiny scratch, but this type of grime is easier to take care of. A little spray cleaner, a sponge, and voila – the kitchen is in perfect order again.

Those bathroom tiles aren’t quite so forgiving, however. The strange thing is that most of the buildup on the tiles we need to clean is a soap buildup! The very ingredient we need to use to get rid of the soap that’s already there.

Don’t waste your time, hopes and money on the new products that supposedly deliver a protective finish once you’re out of the shower. They don’t reach all the crevices, they don’t spray around corners, and they certainly don’t spray enough to do any good.

You need a combination of elbow grease, vinegar, and a regular strength all purpose cleaner. Forget the bleach! Bleach is not a cleanser. Bleach is a disinfectant, and it actually harms tile by dulling the shine. If you do decide to still use it and mix it with your cleaner, don’t mix it with the ammonia! It produces a lethal gas that you won’t smell.

Depending on the kind of tile you have will depend on the type of sponge you can use. Dainty ceramic tiles will scratch if you try to use a steel wool pad. But you will definitely need a scrubbing surface with some sort of abrasive finish that is safe for the tile you are cleaning. Your best bet for a general purpose scrubber is a pad made with nylon or Teflon.

Before spraying on that commercial grade cleaner, you should prepare a solution of 1:1 vinegar and water. Vinegar actually begins to dissolve the grime. If you are doing this on walls you will need to soak a sponge or rag and keep rinsing the wall – don’t just dab it on once and leave. The easiest way to do it is section by section. Dab, rub, rinse, move on. You’ll be amazed at how much grime comes loose and falls off with just the vinegar. (This mixture works equally well for tile floors, too. Just use your regular mop and finish with a clean water rinse.)

Next, mix your all purpose cleaner with water. The trick here is to mix it in a denser combination depending on how dirty the tile is. If the directions say ¼ cup per gallon, you may need ¾ cup. In some cases you may be better off using the solution full strength without diluting it. (Of course, to avoid this in the future, you should clean your tile at least once a week and rinse it down completely after each shower.)

Tiles made of clay, such as Mexican tiles, can be more difficult to clean and keep clean because they are very porous. Dirt and grime get into these tiny crevices and, if not cleaned properly, will keep building up over time. Without proper care, these tiles may succumb to deterioration and will need either to be replaced, or at least professionals might need to come in and clean them and seal them properly. Hint: After cleaning them, have them professionally sealed.

In any case, don’t use solvents not made to work on tiles. Before buying a new product for this purpose, check the side of the bottle for contraindications that say “not safe for…”. Some cleaners can be used on ceramic, and not on Mexican tiles. Other cleaners can only be used on granite. Look before you buy. It could turn into an expensive mistake if you bring home the wrong product.