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.
A mixture that is one-part bleach and one-part water can be used to safely get rid of the mold and mildew growing on the tiles in your shower. Use a non-scratch sponge or pad to gently remove the mold or mildew from the surface of the stone without scratching or damaging it.
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.
“Stone can be a good choice for the shower, but it does require special care and maintenance,” says David Bonasera, owner of ESP, a San Jose, California-based distributor of environmentally safe cleaning and sealing products for natural stone. “The most important thing you can do is to be a good steward to the stone.”
The simplest answer is no, it is best to avoid bleach when cleaning any type of natural stone. Many home cleaning products, particularly bleach and vinegar, are too harsh or acidic to be on natural stone. These cleaners strip down the stone and leave it in a weak, damaged state.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor.
Naturally-occurring salts found in soil, water, sand, gravel and cement are dissolved by rain and groundwater. This moisture is drawn to the surface of the stone where it evaporates, leaving the salts behind as a white haze. Although unattractive, the process is completely natural and in no way damages the stone.
Natural stone should be cleaned once a week with a pH-neutral cleaning product like Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. The powerful cleaner dissolves tough soils and buildup without damaging your beautiful stone surfaces, and removes soap scum, body oils and greases, bath oils, soap, and shampoo oils.
Cleaning your stone shower once a week can help reduce grime, water deposits, and mildew build-up. Use stone-safe products, rather than vinegar or ammonia. Such products are too harsh on stone; their acids break down sealants and discolor surfaces.
Depending on where you live, you may to battle hard water stains on your pebble stone shower floor. If you start noticing white spots on your floors, it's time to take action. Spray your pebbles with white vinegar and let sit for about 10 minutes. Then, simply scrub and rinse.
Most cleaning experts recommend using a pH-neutral, stone safe cleaner. Spray the product onto the surface and allow some time for it to break down the compounds of the residue. Use a soft cloth or a non-scratch pad to rub and scour the area as it helps to even the surface.
It's essential to only use cleaners which are appropriate for natural stone surfaces. This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects.
The simple answer to your question is that the musty smell is probably mildew. To expound upon the answer, it is probably not just mildew you're smelling in your shower. Even new homes can experience funky shower smells. Wet tile environments are quick to grab onto dirt particles, skin cells, and soap residue.
It doesn't take much for mold to develop on natural stone, especially in outdoor environments such as patios. All mold requires is moisture, dirt, and a porous surface.
Most water spots on natural stone can be easily removed by a specialty cleaner. Use a non-scratch pad or a soft cloth to rub and scour the area for a few minutes. After, rinse away with water. Make sure that any water you use to rinse the stone is thoroughly dried up afterwards to avoid any new hard water spots.
Add undiluted vinegar to a bucket and apply it to your stone with the plastic brush. See if it removes the white residue. If it does then you don't need to use muriatic acid. If you need the muriatic acid you'll have to dilute it according to the directions on the bottle.
Natural stone, as beautiful and tough as it may be, is also somewhat fragile. While it defies the barriers of time and is extraordinarily durable, it requires a certain level of TLC to ensure it retains its original splendour.
For lower traffic areas, like a kitchen backsplash or bathtub surround, you should re-seal your natural stone tiles every few years. Depending on the amount of traffic, some installers choose to re-seal their natural stone tiles every 18 months, while others choose to re-seal their tiles every 4 to 5 years.
A simple Water Drop Test is one of the easiest ways to examine whether or not your natural stone needs sealing! First, sprinkle a tablespoon of water on your stone. Leave the water on the surface for about 15 minutes. If the stone darkens or if the water is absorbed in less than 4 minutes, then resealing is needed.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
Quartz is an incredible material and easy to clean.
The beauty of natural stone with the durability of a manufactured one. For heavier stains, glass or surface cleaners will do the trick since quartz is non-porous and you don't have to be as finicky with the pH as you would with granite.
Natural stone for bathroom countertops, floors, and walls is a viable option, thanks to modern sealers that reduce stone's susceptibility to water damage and staining. Natural stone may be a good choice for homeowners who want to seriously upgrade their homes with this exclusive, expensive building material.