how do you clean the shower and grout...

[FuckRx]

i don't want to use bleach or anything bad for the environment...what do you guys use to clean the grout in the shower, i have all these mold stains and i scrub the shit out of the shower at least once a week but still looks like those nasty ass fungified showers...

[lsalinas]

I use vinegar in a spray bottle.  The vinegar removes mold and mildew growth and cuts through limescale and other residue.  However I am not sure if it will remove staining - it doesn't whiten like bleach and other chemicals.  Baking soda doesn't make anything brilliantly white, but it does make things a little brighter, so you might try sprinkling baking soda on the grout first. 

[Nothlit]

Something powdery & abrasive like AJAX or Comet cleaner has worked well for me, along with a grout cleaning brush. I think those powders contain bleach, though, so you may just want to use regular baking soda, which will still have the abrasive scrubbing ability but won't whiten as much. In the end, there may be some discoloration deep in the grout that you'll never really be able to scrub out.

This is ultimately why I hate having a tile shower. I'd much rather have a fiberglass shower with all smooth edges and corners -- nowhere for grime to accumulate!

[phred]

When my Mom was flipping houses with her friends, they used to use toothpaste and an old toothbrush

Fiberglass tub & shower stalls: ugh, ugh, ugh!

[FuckRx]

thanks guys gonna try the vinegar/baking soda cuz i have those handy and if not i should have some toothpaste somewhere at home too

[bigchrisb]

I can tell you what not to do...

Bathroom needed a heavy clean - mold in the grout etc.  I have a high pressure washer sitting around anyways, so why not?  No chemicals, less elbow grease, what could go wrong?

After stripping half a dozen tiles off the wall in quick time, I got to learn about tile repairs and re-grouting. :)

<edit for typos>

[jba302]

I can tell you what not to do...

Bathroom needed a heavy clean - mold in the grout etc.  I have a high pressure washer sitting around anyways, so why not?  No chemicals, less elbow grease, what could go wrong?

After stripping half a dozen tiles off the wall in quick time, I got to learn about tile repairs and re-grouting. :)

<edit for typos>

If it's bad enough, dremel and patience!

[labrat]

Normally for stains I try scrubbing grout with a baking soda + hydrogen peroxide using an old toothbrush.  I usually slather it on before bedtime and scrub the grout lines in the morning after misting with some water.  If you do manage to get your grout clean using this or any other method, make sure to go over it with a couple of coats of sealer to keep it that way longer.  Most sealants are effective for a year.  If the grout is a lost cause, you could try NuGrout or something similar to freshen it up.

[Milspecstache]

Would squegeeing the shower after use solve the problem?  A long time ago when I had a roommate who was a clean-freak we agreed to squeegee the shower after every use and it worked to keep it very clean with minimal time spent cleaning.

I'm sure it depends on the tile shape but this would remove the water faster which should minimize the growth of the mold.

[Left]

I know you said you don't want to use bleach... but I get good results just dipping a paper towel in bleach/water and then "taping" it to the wall (it hangs to wall since it's wet, so no tape involved), let it dry there overnight and morning, just use water and wipe it off. It's all white afterwards.

Comet would work too but I like bleach :S sorry, I'm not environmental...