Get matched with top grout and tile cleaning pros in Tomahawk, WI

No, the pink ring in your toilet bowl isn’t a hard water stain but a type of bacteria called Serratia marcescens. This bacteria can also cause pinkish stains in other areas of your bathroom, like around your tub, shower curtains, and faucets. Thankfully, it’s considered to be harmless. However, if you or anyone in your household is immunocompromised, it can cause issues like urinary tract infections. You can clean the pink ring with bleach and a plastic brush. Wear gloves and goggles when using bleach, and always work in a well-ventilated room.

There are a few ways to remove calcium buildup in your pipes, but the most natural option involves vinegar, baking soda, and boiling water. To use this method, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain you're trying to clear, then follow it up with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Place a rag over the drain to create a light seal and leave it for 30 minutes. Remove the rag, then pour a pot of boiling water into the drain. After the water drains, wipe everything down with a sponge.

The best solution for mopping floors depends on the type of floor you have, but a good all-around or multi-purpose DIY floor cleaner is 2 cups of warm water, 5 to 10 drops of liquid dish soap, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This is safe to use on tile, laminate, wood, polished concrete, vinyl, and more, as it’s relatively neutral and lacks caustic and abrasive chemicals that could be harmful to children and pets. You can also use a multi-purpose commercial cleaner, but make sure to follow the directions for safety.

Grout haze will appear within a few days of tile installation and should be removed as quickly as possible. That said, if caught early, grout haze can be left overnight while you gather supplies or make arrangements for it to be cleaned—but the grout haze will be more difficult to remove the longer it is left.