Tub and Tile Care

Remove mildew and stains from the tub and tiles by wetting the surfaces with water and then spraying them with a solution of one cup bleach to one quart water. Make sure that the room is well ventilated while you do the job and that bath towels and fabric shower curtains are out of the spray range.

Stained tub or sink suraces come clean with a cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide paste. Spread the paste over the stain and scrub lightly with a brush. Let the paste dry and then wipe or rinse it all off. Clean grungy looking tile grout with full strength vinegar instead of bathroom or kitchen cleaner.

The best time for bathroom cleaning? Right after taking a shower or bath, when steam has loosened the dirt. Just wipe off the damp surfaces with a paper towel. Fiberglass tub tough to clean? Use a water conditioner such as Calgon or a commercial bathroom cleaner containing EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetate).

After grout has set, seal it with a commercial silicone preparation which is available in hardware stores. When caulking a crack between a tub and a wall, use a silicone caulking compind, which is flexible and should not crack from the water's weight when the tub is in use.

If you are tired of cleaning around nonskid decals in your porcelain tub or shower, scrape them off with a straight-edge razor blade (in a holder) dipped in soapy water. Remove adhesive residue with acetone or nail polish remover.

Bathroom floors covered in dull, old resilient tile may need especially strong cleaning measures. Scrub with a solution of one part ammonia to four parts of water, then dry with a towel. Apply a thin coat of wax following the directions on the container.