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Bathroom Tile Maintenance

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I am doing a gut remodel of my master bathroom and am wondering how difficult it is to maintain a tile floor.

It's going to be a period style bathroom so the iconic white octagonal tiles with black tile border or other design element would be the way to go on the bathroom floor. I think white with a black design from a color point of view is fine - I shudder at the thought of maintaining a black or dark colored floor which would show every bit of makeup powder :-)

Will these type of tiles be a nightmare to keep clean - I don't have anal compulsive standards but I can't see scouring the floor with a toothbrush. :-) I have no experience with tile as my bathroom is the cheapo fiberglass tub/shower installation with no tile work - the counters are that cultured marble stuff which is fugly but surprisingly easy to maintain and the floors are some kind of vinyl tile (wouldn't be surprised if they were asbestos tile given the age of the building). Obviously I grew up with tile bathrooms and kitchens but had no housekeeping chores that involved keeping the tiles spiffy.

I've already vetoed a more period style toilet with those curlicues at the bottom in favor of the Toto Karolina which is entirely smooth and less of a schmootz catcher :-)

My designer told me small tile floors with grout provide more of a slip proof surface - and safety in the bathroom is a prime concern since I am doing it with a view to aging in place - also replacing the current tub/shower combo with a walk in shower, albeit one with a curb.

Thanks for any insight

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Comments (5)

roarah
6 years ago
A large tile with a good Cof will be just as slip resist and as a small tile with lots of grout now a days, but a small tile to work with proper slope shower floor is recommended.

I have a grout shower floor that is looks as clean as when it was installed. It has epoxy grout and I squeegee walls, glass and floor quickly after use and leave a proper size fan on for half an hour. This said , I wish I bought a pan for less install error is common and than no future water issues likely. But even with a pan I would still squeegee after use to avoid water spots. An extra thirty seconds per shower saves hours monthly.

I have almost 100 year old beehive tile in my house. I use a lithium cordless on all floors daily and hand clean with soapy water weakly they look great. They would have Ben originally installed with a mud job so dark grey grout. Darker grout is a must on floors I feel.
Helen thanked roarah
Helen
Original Author
6 years ago
I have read about squeegeeing clear glass shower doors but not shower floors.

Is this done with a cleaner or some sort or do you just use the moisture on the surface as a lubricant?
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writersblock (9b/10a)
6 years ago
You can also wipe down with a microfiber cloth instead of the squeegee.
Helen thanked writersblock (9b/10a)
amanda99999
6 years ago
FWIW we have 1" white hex tile shower and bathroom floor (medium gray grout both), and I never see any of the dirt/hair/etc. We previously had 4" white square tile and you everything. Guess my point is while tiny tile might not be easier to keep clean, its harder to see the dirt. (We have small bathrooms, so wanted same tile in room and shower floors - so didn't use large format.) The shower walls are 3"x6' white subway tile, bright white grout. I wipe it down with a microfiber cloth after every shower. DH never does. I cleaned it probably once in the year since installed and it looks new. Normal (not epoxy) grout. I plan on having to hire someone to professional clean the grout before we sell the house in a few years. HTH.
Helen thanked amanda99999
roarah
6 years ago
I do not use any cleaner on my tile after showers. My husband and kids do not squeegee afterwards either. I spend less than a minute after my shower directing water on all surfaces toward the drain. I use Lysol once or twice per month and have not had mold in a year and a half following this procedure.

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