Key Takeaways
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Dilute hydrogen peroxide with water to safely clean vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tile floors.
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Its bubbling action lifts dirt, kills bacteria, and removes mold and mildew without harsh fumes.
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Mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to tackle grout stains and brighten white tile grout.
Between dust, hair, body sprays, hairspray, and moisture from steamy showers, your bathroom floor may not be as clean as you want it to be when you step out of a relaxing bubble bath. To clean the grime, you don’t need to scour the cleaning section at your local home store. You likely already have a suitable cleaner: hydrogen peroxide. It may not be the first thing that comes to mind, and you may be a little skeptical, but when it comes to cleaning the bathroom, hydrogen peroxide’s bubbling action helps lift dirt and stains. And it’s an effective, eco-friendly solution for getting rid of mold, mildew, and germs without harsh fumes. So here’s how to use hydrogen peroxide to get your bathroom floors squeaky clean.
How Often To Clean Bathroom Floors
Another perk of using hydrogen peroxide is that it’s safe to use for regular cleaning, depending on the type of flooring you have. Clean your bathroom floors every week to prevent dirt, bacteria, mold, and mildew from building up. You can also mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to remove deep stains, and use it to whiten white tile grout.
Considerations Before Getting Started
Hydrogen peroxide works at cleaning bathroom floors through a chemical reaction. On contact, it breaks down into water and oxygen. It fizzes as oxygen is released, helping it to lift dirt and kill bacteria.
Before using hydrogen peroxide on your bathroom floors, consider what type of material they’re made of. It’s safe for vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tile floors. Natural stone tiles, marble, granite, and unsealed wood can become bleached, discolored, etched, or cloudy from hydrogen peroxide, and it can bleach colored grout. Whatever type of flooring you have, make sure to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area before using. Never use hydrogen peroxide at full strength on floors—dilute it with water before using.
What You Need
Warning
Never combine hydrogen peroxide with bleach, ammonia, vinegar, or lemon juice because it can create toxic fumes.
How To Clean Bathroom Floors With Hydrogen Peroxide
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Combine equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and warm water in a spray bottle.
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Spray the mixture directly onto the floor, covering the entire surface with the solution, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
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Use the mop to scrub the floors, grout, and hard-to-reach corners.
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Dip the mop in a bucket of clean water to rinse the floors clean.
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Dry the floor completely with a clean towel to soak up puddles and get rid of streaks.
Tip
Make sure to store hydrogen peroxide in its original brown bottle because light exposure can make it ineffective.
Tips For Keeping Bathroom Floors Clean Longer
Regular sweeping can help keep dirt, dust, and hair from building up on your bathroom floors between cleanings. After bathing, wipe up any water from the floor to prevent mold and mildew from forming. A bath mat can help soak up any excess water and splashes from the tub, and make sure to run the exhaust fan to help reduce moisture after showering.
Removing Stains From Bathroom Floors
Grout is porous and absorbs all the moisture, dirt, and soap scum it’s exposed to, and that can leave it looking dark and dingy. Hard water, mold, and mildew can also cause stains that are hard to remove with regular cleaning.
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To clean stubborn stains and grout, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts baking soda, plus 1 tablespoon of dish soap to create a paste.
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Spread the paste onto stains or darkened grout, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
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Use an old toothbrush to scrub the area, then rinse with clean water and dry the area completely with a clean towel.
Read the original article on Southern Living