> [!tip] Quick answer: Spray tiles and grout with a 50/50 vinegar-water solution, let it sit for 15 minutes, scrub with a brush, then rinse with warm water and squeegee dry. For mould or stubborn buildup, use a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. ## How to clean shower tiles in 2026 Shower tiles get hit by water, soap, hard-water minerals, body oils, and humidity every day. Without a maintenance routine, soap scum builds up in a film and grout darkens with mildew within months. The good news: a weekly vinegar spray plus a daily squeegee handles 90% of the work, and a monthly deep clean handles the rest. This guide covers ceramic, porcelain, and most stone tiles. Natural stone (marble, travertine, soapstone) needs a different approach, called out below. ### What you should plan for - Weekly time: 10 to 15 minutes for the vinegar routine - Monthly deep clean: 30 to 45 minutes - Tools needed: Spray bottle, scrub brush, squeegee, microfibre - Cost: Under $20 for all supplies, reusable for years - Frequency: Weekly maintenance, monthly deep, plus daily squeegee after showers ## The weekly routine 1. Spray. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray every tile and every grout line in the shower. Let sit for at least 15 minutes (longer if there's visible buildup). 1. Scrub. Use a stiff-bristled scrub brush or an old toothbrush for grout lines. Work in small sections, top to bottom. 1. Rinse. Run warm water over everything to flush the loosened gunk. A handheld shower head makes this much easier. 1. Squeegee dry. A silicone squeegee on the walls after every shower cuts soap scum and water spots by about 80%. Take the 30 seconds. ## The monthly deep clean For mould, mildew, or stubborn soap scum that won't yield to vinegar, mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Apply with a toothbrush directly to grout lines and any mouldy patches. Let sit for 30 minutes, scrub, then rinse. For coloured grout, test the peroxide on a hidden area first. Very old grout can lighten. ## What you'll need ## Material-specific care ### Ceramic and porcelain The standard vinegar method works perfectly. These are the most common shower tiles and the most forgiving. ### Natural stone (marble, travertine, soapstone) Never use vinegar or any acid. It etches the stone permanently. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner (sold at Lee Valley, Home Depot, and most stone yards) instead. Reseal annually with a penetrating stone sealer. ### Glass tile Vinegar is safe. Spray, let sit, wipe with microfibre. Polish with a dry cloth to prevent water spots. ### Subway tile with sanded grout The grout is the high-maintenance part, not the tile. Use the baking-soda paste monthly and reseal grout every 1 to 2 years with a grout sealer. ## Common mistakes 1. Using bleach on grout. Bleach actually weakens grout over time and can discolour it. Vinegar and peroxide do the job without damage. 1. Letting vinegar sit on natural stone. Vinegar etches marble, travertine, and soapstone permanently. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner instead. 1. Skipping the squeegee. Soap scum and hard water build up fast. Daily squeegeeing is the single biggest preventive move. 1. Cleaning without ventilation. Run the exhaust fan during and 30 minutes after cleaning. Mould loves humidity. 1. Mixing vinegar with bleach or peroxide. Creates toxic fumes. Use them in separate steps with full rinsing in between. ## When to call a pro If grout has cracked, fallen out, or shows persistent mould that returns within days of cleaning, you likely need to regrout or replace silicone caulking. That's a professional job (or a weekend DIY) rather than a cleaning issue. Expect $400 to $1,200 for a small shower regrout in major Canadian cities. ## FAQs about cleaning shower tiles How do I get my shower grout white again? What's the best squeegee for a shower? Can I use a steam cleaner on shower tiles? How often should I reseal shower grout? Why does my shower smell like mildew even after cleaning?