How to Clean a Natural Stone Shower
Many homeowners shy away from natural stone in a bath. Although there’s a little more care involved, adding the luxury of natural stone tile or slab to your bathroom design is a beautiful and timeless addition to consider.
Here we’ll cover the types of natural stone available, plus tips on cleaning and sealing a natural stone shower.
What types of natural stone are used for showers?
Sections of natural stone have been quarried from the earth and shaped, polished, and utilized for thousands of years as a building material. Slate, limestone, granite, marble, onyx, and other natural stones come in a wide range of colors and patterns to suit any bath design.
Some natural stone materials are compatible with the humidity and moisture of a shower but not all, so it’s best to consult with a bath design professional before deciding on a particular natural stone design. Natural stone such as soapstone, granite, and travertine work well in a shower because the material is less porous compared to marble.
Durable and versatile, natural stone works equally well on both bath floors and walls.
Each type of natural stone has particular cleaning needs. Porous stone such as soapstone or travertine should be sealed to preserve its ability to withstand moisture, humidity and stain resistance.
Granite is one of the most popular natural stone materials for showers and is prized for its hardness and durability. Granite is easier to care for compared to marble and other natural stone because of its resistance to ingredients found in hygiene products.
Because granite is a popular choice for bath countertops, homeowners tend to select it for the shower as well for a uniform look.
Onyx is a banded stone similar to agate. Polished onyx is eye-catching in a shower, but it is also absorbent.
To prevent it from retaining moisture and staining, onyx must be protected with an impregnating sealer made for porous stone. Onyx isn’t as durable as granite or marble and requires routine maintenance, but homeowners choose it because of stone’s natural beauty.
Slate is considered a more low-maintenance stone in the bath. Available in deep shades of browns, grays, and vibrant warm tones, slate is comprised of layers of sediment pressed into stone.
It is durable, resistant to scratches, and staining. Seal slate shower tiles or slabs every few years to maintain the attractive glossy finish.
Travertine is a type of limestone found in sedimentary rock. Travertine tiles and slabs are popular for bathrooms with a shower/tub combination.
Seal travertine every two years, or when water stops beading on the surface.
Are some natural stone materials more expensive than others?
Depending on the type of natural stone you choose, you can expect to pay approximately $100 to $300 per square foot. This dollar range includes the cost of materials and labor.
For example, a large shower lined with rare marble could cost thousands of dollars for the stone installation, alone.
Prices for natural stone will vary depending on stone quality, size, color, thickness, and several other factors.
How do I clean a natural stone shower?
Use a non-acidic or pH-neutral cleaner to clean a natural stone shower.
Wet & Forget Shower safely cleans natural stone* showers with no scrubbing required.
Just spray Wet & Forget Shower on your natural stone shower walls and floor at night. Rinse shower surfaces the next morning to rinse dirt down the drain for a sparkling clean shower!
Wet & Forget Shower spray kicks stubborn soap scum, dirt and daily grime to the curb without any scrubbing. Wet & Forget Shower does the hard work for you!
*Do not use Wet & Forget Shower on natural marble. When using Wet & Forget Shower on travertine, clean up any hard water stains or haziness on the surface before using the product here.
Also, test in a small inconspicuous area first before treating the full travertine surface.
Wet & Forget Shower Saves You Time and Money!
Some brands of no-scrub tile cleaners say you must spray your shower daily for the best clean. Who has the time? Spray Wet & Forget Shower just once a week to keep your natural stone* shower clean.
Plus, the high-efficiency trigger sprayer makes applying Wet & Forget Shower to your shower fast and easy.
*Do not use Wet & Forget Shower on natural marble surfaces.
For the best results, pre-clean your shower- especially if it has a heavy build-up. Then let Wet & Froget Shower sit on the surface for 8-12 hours (but no more than 24 hours) before thoroughly rinsing.
Most no-scrub daily shower sprays contain about 7 applications or one week of cleaning per bottle. So you’ll need to buy several bottles per month to keep your shower clean.
Wet & Forget Shower provides 12 weeks of cleaning power in one bottle keeping your shower sparkling for less than one-third the cost of typical daily shower sprays.
Applying Wet & Forget Shower
To clean the grime, soap scum, or mold and mildew off your tub, tiles, or glass doors-
- Open the flip cap on the bottle.
- Remove the white, hand-held sprayer by pushing it out of the holster.
- Gently pull on the clear tubing to completely extend to be 3 feet long.
- Firmly press the white, hose tip into the opening on the cap until it clicks into place.
- Slide the lever to the ‘OPEN’ setting.
- Rotate the nozzle on the sprayer to the desired setting (spray or stream).
- Finally, spray down shower surfaces.
- Let sit for 8-12 hours before rinsing with warm water. Be sure to thoroughly wash the grime away!
When finished, turn the lever to the ‘CLOSED’ setting, rotate the sprayer nozzle to an ‘X’, and return the sprayer to the slot on the handle.
How do I seal a natural stone shower?
Danny Lipford, home repair expert mentions, “Natural stone is popular because of its character and beauty. But left untreated, water, oils, and other liquids can easily penetrate it, leaving unwanted stains.
That’s why it’s important to use a sealer on granite, marble or other natural stone surfaces. A good one will repel spills without changing the color of the stone and should last for years.”
A stone sealer prevents water, oil, and other liquids from penetrating the stone and causing stains. Routinely seal to preserve resistance to water, soap, and stains. Especially for porous stones like soapstone.
Seal natural stone by following the instructions provided by the stone manufacturer or supplier. The stone surface will show water beaded on the surface if it is sealed correctly.
When moisture no longer beads on the surface, its time to reseal.
Natural stone is unique and often expensive. This means that a natural stone shower will improve your home’s resale value.
Real estate professionals will often highlight the presence of natural stone when selling a home, and prospective buyers often view it as a positive feature.
