Discount Bathroom Vanities Blog

Many homeowners are choosing glass and ceramic tile in their bathrooms.  Once you choose the size and type of tile that you want, you have to choose a grout color.  After your bathroom renovation is complete, it is incumbent on you to keep your tile and grout sparkling clean.

 

For routine cleaning, you can use a daily shower cleaner, or a product such as Windex or an baking soda or vinegar and water combination.  Grout in a bathroom will get grimy from dirt, mold and mildew.  By cleaning it frequently, you will not have to use much elbow grease.  When cleaning grout, start with mild cleaners and move to more abrasive cleaners as needed.  A good way to clean tile is by using a small stiff brush which can get into the small spaces between the tiles.  Use circular motions to get the grout clean.

 

Another way to clean tile is using a steam cleaner.  Once the dirt is loosened, you can use a small brush to continue the cleaning process.

 

If your grout hasn’t come completely clean, try a commercial tile and grout cleaner. These are available wherever home cleaning products are sold. Try to find a cleanser that is pH balanced so that the chemicals in the product won’t erode the grout with continued use. Spray the cleaner on and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Follow the directions on the label of the product to clean effectively. 

For heavy duty stains, use even stronger products such as oxygen bleach powder, hydrogen peroxide, or chlorine bleach. These products should be well diluted before use. You can also find heavy duty cleaners at hardware stores.

 

Grout Cleaning Tips

• Clean your grout with water and let it dry.
• Do not use bleach on colored grout.  It will discolor it.
• Use a stiff brush in a circular motion.
• If you are using harsh cleaners, wear gloves.
• Make sure that your room has good ventilation if you are using stronger cleaners.
• Rinse your tiles well after cleaning.

Use a tile sealer to keep your tile clean.  Generally you should seal your tile once a year.  If you are careful to clean your tile frequently, you will not have a large cleaning job.

 

A new countertop in your bathroom can be made of all different types of materials:  glass, granite, Silestone, Corian, marble, soapstone, ceramic tiles orlaminate.  To give you years of beauty, you want to make sure that you take care of your countertop.

 

• Glass

 

You clean glass the same way that you clean your windows and mirrors.  You can use a commercial cleaner or take a combination of vinegar and water.

 

• Granite

 

You can clean granite with a special stone cleaner or take warm water and mild dish detergent soap to clean it.  Avoid abrasive cleaners.

 

You should seal your granite once a year.  If water soaks into the stone and does not bead up, it is time to reseal your granite.  Granite requires regular waxing and polishing to maintain a sheen.

 

• Silestone

 

You can clean Silestone with soap and water or use an all purpose cleaner.  Do not use an abrasive cleaner.  Silestone never has to be sealed.

 

• Corian

 

Corian can be cleaned with soap and water or an all purpose cleaner.  If it gets stained or dirty, you can use a Scotch Brite pad.

 

• Laminate

 

You can use an all purpose cleaner to keep the laminate clean.  Laminates do not have to be sealed.

 

• Marble

 

Use soap and water on your marble countertop.  You can use an all purpose cleaner.  Marble should be sealed frequently with mineral oil.  It requires regular waxing and polishing to maintain a sheen.

 

• Soapstone

 

Soapstone can be cleaned with soap and water.  For the first year, you should wipe it down weekly with mineral oil, then every few months after that.  If you get scratches on your countertop, you can rub them out or sand them. 

 

• Ceramic Tiles

 

Ceramic tiles can be cleaned with soap and water or an all purpose cleaner. Occasionally, you will have to clean the grout to make sure that it maintains its original beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before renovating a bathroom, it is important to make a list of all of the items that you want to include.  When it comes down to the actual renovation, you may include some of them and not others.

 

Some of the items that you might want to include are:

 

• Room Size

The bigger, the better when redoing a bathroom.  New bathrooms are quite large and if you have a larger space to work with, you can have several different areas in the room and include more in your room.

 

• Bathtub

A bathtub is an important part of any bathroom remodeling job.  Even in a master bathroom, it is important to include a bathtub in your scheme.  You have a choice of a regular bathtub or one that has many extra features.  The features that you might want to include are mood lighting, whirlpool or air jets, a tub that uses sound wave vibration, a tub that holds two people, a tub with feet or one that is copper!  

 

• Shower

If you have the room, you probably want to include a separate shower.  This might be a small shower or one that is larger, walk in with multiple rain showerheads, other multiple jets, music, aromatherapy and seats for one or two people.

 

• Vanity

If you have room for two sinks, that would be ideal.  Include countertops that are granite or of another sustainable material.

 

• Light

Include as much natural light as possible, windows and or a skylight.  Include good lighting over the vanity.  Indulge in a chandelier if there is room for it.  Add dimmers and candles to enhance the mood of the room.

 

• Storage

Make sure that you have sufficient storage.  This might include a closet, a free standing piece of furniture and room under the vanities.

 

• Makeup Area

If there is room, you might want to include an area that you can put in makeup.

 

• TV

Add a plasma or LCD TV where you can see it from various areas of the room.

 

• Separate Area for Toilet

Add a separate area for the toilet if you have room for it.

 

• Fireplace

A fireplace adds a lot to the ambiance of the room.  

 

• Towel Warmer

A towel warmer is a nice addition to any bathroom.  You will have warm towels all of the time!

 

• Sauna

You might want to add a separate sauna, which will add a spa-like feel to your new room.

 

• Music

Add music to your room to increase the ambiance!

 

• Exercise Area

Include an area for exercise equipment.  

 

• Radiant Heat

Radiant floor heat will ensure that your feet are always warm, even during the cold winter months.

 

• Custom Tile

Add custom tile to your room.  The tile might be on your floor, surrounding your tub and in your shower area.  You can choose hand painted tiles or expensive imported tile.

 

• Toilet

There are so many toilets on the market these days.  There are one piece, two piece, dual flush, high toilets and sleek low toilets.  You can also get automatic flush toilets and ones that have many custom features such as toilets that automatically put the seats down and are a bidet.

 

• Seating Area

You might want to include an area where you can relax.

 

These items give you a lot to think about before you start your bathroom renovation.  You might make your bathroom such a wonderful destination in your home that you will never want to leave.