How to clean black tile in the shower?

Jan Teal
by Jan Teal

I have black wall tile in the shower, that is stained WHITE by hard water. We have a water softener, but it is still bad. the Tile is ceramic.


  13 answers
  • Lindsay Aratari Lindsay Aratari on Jun 29, 2020

    Have you tried using lemon essential oil?

  • I use a mixture of vinegar and water.

  • Annie Annie on Jun 29, 2020

    Pick up some CLR and put in a spry bottle. Spray on stained tile let sit for a few min and rinse off

  • William William on Jun 29, 2020

    Use straight vinegar and a sponge. Cooking spray like Pam


    1. Clean soap scum off your shower


    Who knew cooking spray could tackle soap scum buildup in your bathtub, shower, and sink? Since oil breaks down lime deposits, a quick spritz of cooking spray on your bathroom sink or shower tile will remove any gross grime in no time. Also leaves a coating that will repel water.


    2.Shine your faucets


    Nothing will make your bathroom fixtures glisten like a little bit of cooking spray. Spritz a tiny bit on your sink faucets and shower fixtures to rid them of buildup and allow them to really shine. Also leaving a fine coating that will repel water and future water spots.


    3.Clean your glass shower door and tile


    Just like nonstick cooking spray can remove tough grime buildup in your bathroom sink and tub, the same goes for cleaning your shower door and tile, too. Simply spray a bit of oil directly on your dirty shower door/tile to clear away the lime deposits and dirt real quick. Use a kitchen scrubby to clean off the crud. The fine coating left behind will repel water.


  • I heat up one cup white vinegar until it's warm, then add one cup natural dish soap. Spray on and leave on tile for one hour, then wipe away grime and hard water stains. Good luck!

  • Maura White Maura White on Jun 29, 2020

    I would use a microfiber cloth and see if that gets rid of the mineral buildup. Microfiber clothes are amazing! My favorite is here: https://us.e-cloth.com#5b5769e44b71f

  • Julie D. Grant Julie D. Grant on Jun 29, 2020

    Go over it first with plain baking soda. Make a paste & scrub with damp cloth. I only use baking soda & then spray with Lysol or a protectorant. Baking soda doesn't scratch or etch like vinegar or commercial cleaning powders.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 30, 2020

    Clorox cleanup works best with a scrubby

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 01, 2020

    Hello Jan,

    Use a hard water remover found in the cleaning isle of supermarket.

  • Did you try some CLR or similar product that removes scale? You could also try equal parts vinegar and dish soap but don't leave that on too long as vinegar is bad for grout.

  • Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 solution of Dawn dish soap and vinegar. Spray it on the hard water stains and let it work. If they are tougher stains, you may have to scrub with a plastic scrubbie!