Knowing how to clean a natural stone shower the right way so as not to cause damage, staining or scratches is very important.
While stone is a hardy and durable material for use in and around your home, you will need to be mindful of the cleaners you use and the way in which you keep it spotless. Fortunately, it’s not actually too difficult and our step-by-step guide will break down everything you need to know about stone shower cleaning.
Cleaning Stone Showers 101
Before we get started, there are some ground rules you should know before you get stuck into cleaning your shower.
Know your stone
Natural stone comes in a variety of different materials including marble, granite, onyx, limestone and travertine. Not all stones are the same in terms of surface and cleaning. For example, marble is more porous than either granite or limestone.
Make sure you know what kind of stone shower you have so that you can choose the appropriate cleaning materials.
Regular Cleans
The best way to clean stone showers is to do so regularly. A quick wipe down and gentle clean more often is better than an overly thorough clean infrequently. Not only will this allow you to easily get ahead of any build-up of unwanted grime, but it will also ensure that your stone is less likely to be stained. If you let mould build up in your shower, you’ll find it difficult to clean while also taking the required soft touch to your precious stone.
No Harsh Chemicals
When it comes to bathroom stone cleaners, make sure to move away from harsh and acidic chemicals. While it may be tempting to apply some stronger cleaning solution to get rid of any scum or grime buildup, highly acidic cleaners can wear down your stone shower’s sealant, and cause discolouration or even staining and scratches. Use pH-neutral products only and, if possible, opt for stone-specific cleaners.
Microfibre Cloths
Similarly, we recommend using microfibre cloths to wipe down and clean your stone shower. Soft yet effective, microfibre won’t damage or make you beautiful stone. Abrasive sponges, steel wool or scourer-like cleaning utensils may damage your stone as well as remove dirt. So don’t use any of them. If you don’t have a microfibre cloth, any soft cleaning cloth will do.
Professional Resealing
Being relatively porous, natural stone showers require professional resealing every 3 to 5 years. (Though this depends on the type of stone your shower is made from.) Resealing keeps the stone protected from potential damage caused by water and moisture getting absorbed into the stone, as well as other dirt, grime and debris. Plus, it makes the stone surface far more resistant to stains and scratches.
How To Clean A Natural Stone Shower
Step 1 – Mix a cleaning solution
Ideally you would use a stone-specific cleaning product but if you do not have one available, a low, neutral pH cleaner will do.
Mix a few tablespoons of the cleaner with 2-3 cups of water into a spray bottle.
Step 2 – Dry the shower
It’s best to clean your natural stone shower when it is dry, as opposed to right after you’ve used it. Using a clean and soft microfibre cloth (or one similar in feel), gently wipe over any wet areas of the shower.
Step 3 – Spray the solution
Spray the stone tiles of your shower with this solution making sure that generous amounts of solution is being applied all over, especially where you notice a particular build up of dirt or grime.
Step 4 – Wipe
Using a soft cloth or brush, wipe away gently at places where there seems to be light staining, scum build up or mould. Be careful to wipe hard enough to actually remove and dislodge the dirt without scratching or damaging the stone tiles themselves.
Step 5 – Rinse
Using either a bucket or another clean spray bottle, rinse the shower with clean water. You can even use the shower head itself if it detaches from the wall.
Step 6 – Dry the shower…again
Once the shower is completely cleaned and rinsed, take another cloth and wipe down the surfaces until it is completely dry.
Step 7 – Polish
Polishing your stone is an easy yet effective way to keep it as beautiful as it can be and as gleaming as the day it was installed.
You don’t need to purchase fancy stone polishers either. Simply get baking soda and water and combine about 45 grams of the former and a litre or so of the later.
Using a clean cloth, apply the polish mixture to your shower as evenly as possible. Leave the polish to dry for a few hours before using a microfibre cloth and warm water to rinse it off.
Antibacterial Products
There are a number of natural stone-friendly anti-bacterial products on the market that are safe to use. As long as the cleaner is not ammonia-based, highly acidic or containing harsh chemicals, it should be okay to use in your stone shower.
Of course, you’ll want to ensure that your stone tiles are as well taken care of as possible so if you’re not sure what sort of products to use to clean your shower, make sure to contact us here at Euro Marble.
Euro Marble – For all your stone-related needs
With over 30 years of industry knowledge providing professional advice and experience working with over 150 variations of stone, our team is made of leading experts who are more than ready to help you.
If you would like more guidance on how to clean a natural stone shower or want to double check that the bathroom cleaner you have won’t leave a mark, feel free to contact us today. We’re here to help.
