Natural
stone can be a beautiful choice for your shower, and you can maintain that
brand-new sparkling look for years if you keep it clean on a regular basis.
People often think that showers stay relatively clean, because, well, that’s
the place we get clean ourselves.
However, this isn’t the case.
Showers that don’t get cleaned regularly can build up soap scum, mildew, and
develop hard water and mineral stains. If you haven’t cleaned your shower in a
while (or at all), we’ve got some tips that will get rid of the gross stuff,
and that will keep your shower clean will no effort every day at all.
Before you start any type of
cleaning with chemicals, make sure you are wearing rubber gloves and clothes
that you don’t mind getting dirty. While it’s unlikely that you’ll ruin your
clothing, it’s best that you don’t wear anything fancy or that can’t be
replaced. Now you’re ready to start.
If you have an excessive build up of
soap scum in your shower, don’t fool yourself into thinking you can just wipe
it off with a sponge. Use a natural cleaning solution that won’t ruin the stone
and spray it all over the soap scum. Use a plastic squeegee to wipe the dirty
areas clean.
If the soap scum is stubborn and won’t
come off, it can help to use some ammonia on the stone to lift the dirt. Mix ½ cup
of ammonia with one gallon of warm water. Carefully spray the solution onto the
stubborn soap scum and wipe it off with a rag or microfiber cloth.
Soap scum isn’t the only cleaning
issue when it comes to the shower area. Because hot water is constantly
spraying around the area, condensation and moisture often build up, creating
mold and mildew spores.
Spray a good quality mildew remover around
your shower and leave the product to sit for about an hour. This will allow the
solution to sink into the mildew and really work it away from the stone. Then
simply rinse the wall using the shower head.
You can also remove mildew and mold
from your shower using a degreaser. Make a mixture of 1 part degreaser and 10
parts hot water. Scrub the solution onto the affected areas and rinse.
Once you’ve gotten rid of all the
strenuous cleaning, it’s time to finish the rest of your shower. You can buy an
everyday natural stone cleaner at any home improvement or multi-purpose store.
It’s important not to skimp on these cleaning solutions, as a cheap one can
ruin the finish on natural stone.
Even if you buy a high end cleaner,
it’s a good idea to test the product in a small corner of your shower if it’s
one you’ve never used before. Apply with anything you feel like, whether it’s a
cloth, a spray bottle, or a scrub brush. After letting it sit and removing it,
if your stone doesn’t have any reaction, you should be good to use it on a
regular basis around the whole shower area.
