HOME IMPROVEMENT : A Shower of Remedies for Cleaning Tile’s Stubborn Mold and Mildew

You might think that the shower area, which gets daily doses of warm water, soap and shampoo, would stay naturally clean. Not so.

Mold, mildew, soap film and other stains mar surfaces, and mineral deposits clog shower heads.

Here are some tips to help keep shower stalls or tub showers clean and free of clogs:

Clean your shower right after using it, when steam has loosened the dirt. Just wipe off the damp surfaces with a paper towel.

Remove mildew from the grout between ceramic tiles by wetting the surfaces with water, then spraying them with a solution of 1 cup bleach to 1 quart water. Scrub with an old toothbrush. If the grout is grungy-looking, clean it with full-strength vinegar, instead. Caution: Make sure the room is well ventilated while you do the job and that towels and fabric shower curtains are out of range of the spray.

Wipe away soap spots or film from tile with a solution of water and water conditioner, or a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water. Rinse, then dry with a soft cloth.

Stained tub or tile surfaces come clean with a paste made of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Spread the paste over the stain and scrub lightly with a brush. Let the paste dry, then wipe or rinse it off.

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

Unless the care label indicates that a shower curtain is machine washable, wash it in the bathtub with warm water and detergent. Hang the curtain on its hooks to dry. If the curtain can be washed in a washing machine, put in two or three large towels to balance the load. To remove soap film, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash water. To keep the curtain supple, add half a cup vinegar or a few drops of mineral oil to the wash water.

Remove mildew from a bleachable shower curtain by sponging it with a solution of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water. If the fabric cannot be bleached, spread on a paste of baking soda and gently rub the curtain before washing.

To unclog a shower head, remove it from the wall stub-out pipe by using a pair of pipe wrenches with jaws wrapped with tape to avoid marring the chrome. Use one wrench to hold the pipe steady while you turn the collar of the shower head with the other.

Disassemble the shower head and soak the parts overnight in full-strength vinegar to soften mineral deposits. Then scrub the parts clean with a stiff brush. Use a toothpick or an unbent paper clip to poke debris and mineral deposits from the shower holes.

If your shower head has seen better days, it might be better to replace it. Consider one that has a nonclogging plastic faceplate or install a water-conserving head or one that delivers a pulsating flow or has a hand-shower attachment. To install a new head, wrap pipe-sealing tape (available at hardware stores) around the pipe threads, then screw the head into place.