How to Restore Bathroom Wall Tiles From the Early 1920s

Bathroom wall tiles from 1920s are from a distinct and celebrated era of design, so you may want to keep them in place if you can. As with modern tiles, older tiles can look dingy over time. There are limits to what you can do to renovate these tiles, but people are often surprised how much of the problem is actually the grout lines. The grout attracts stains and dirt, and affects the look of the whole tile surface. Getting the grout deep-cleaned will go a long way toward bringing those tiles back to their original look.

Household cleanser
Old toothbrush
Oxygen bleach in powder form
Ceramic bowl
Rubber spatula

Instructions

- 1
  Use your household cleanser to scrub the tiles, both the face and the grout lines between them. Rinse well.
- 2
  Mix a solution of powdered oxygen bleach and hot water in a bowl. Start with a 1/2 cup of the bleach and slowly add the water while stirring with a rubber spatula. Get it to a thick, pasty consistency.
- 3
  Use your rubber spatula to spread the paste over the grout lines between the tiles. Lay it on thick, making more paste if needed so you can cover all the grout lines
- 4
  Let the oxygen bleach paste sit on the grout for about half an hour, bubbling, fizzing and working its way into the grout. Add more paste if it starts to dry out anywhere.
- 5
  Use your toothbrush to scrub the paste, getting the grout lines clean. Rinse. Repeat the process if necessary. Continue until the grout is completely clean and white.

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