How do you clean white stains on shower tiles?

[#1]

These stains re most likely from hard water. Stains from hard water can occur when water evaporates and leaves behind trace minerals such as calcium and magnesium. If your shower tiles are not sloped correctly and not draining freely, then water could be remaining on top of the tiles, 

To clean the tiles, try mixing equal parts cleaning vinegar and water. Spray this mixture onto the affected tiles, wait 30 minutes and then flush the mixture off with fresh water. You can then use Glitz 1kg Green Bi-Carb Cleaner in paste form and a bristled brush to scrub the tiles.

Hard water stains can be quite stubborn, so you might need to repeat this process several times.

Remember to wear personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, a face mask and gloves, when cleaning. It is also wise to ventilate the room well while working, opening windows and doors if possible and using an extraction fan. - MitchellMc

[Carolyn3636]

Thanks for this advice. I have this issue on my dark grout. Would the same process work please? 

[MitchellMc]

Most likely not @Carolyn3636. This method is for removing build-up on top of a non-porous glazed tile. Your marks are within a porous grout and will be much harder, if not impossible, to remove. Also, you might find that your stains are not from hard water but from efflorescence permeating the grout. 

What colour is your grout? If it happens to be black or slate grey, I'd recommend you paint over the stains with grout paint.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Carolyn3636]

Hi Mike, Yes the colour is anthracite and the grout is porous. Would that slate grey colour be a god match or l could try it in a small section. I think it is efflorescence. Thanks

[MitchellMc]

I'd test it in an inconspicuous location first @Carolyn3636. It likely won't be an exact match, so you'd need to paint all the grout lines, not just the affected areas.

Mitchell

[Carolyn3636]

Thanks so much Mitch. I actually had the bottom of the shower redone with the same colour in epoxy. I am thinking to do that as it looks really good.