Marble is a durable, water-resistant material, popular for kitchens and bathrooms. It has a beautiful surface that gives a note of luxury to any space, however, it is only able to do that if it is well-maintained. Marble can be etched by certain chemicals and even water deposits. You should avoid using vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, and ammonia at all costs.
Another reason for regular cleaning is the removal of mould and mildew spores. Those like to cling to the natural stone’s surface and when not properly maintained, they can cause a number of health issues.
With regular cleaning, you can keep your marble surfaces clean, healthy, and good-looking. What is more, you can seal it and help its stain-resistance, as well as, make it easier to clean in general. Always ask the company that installed your marble to apply sealant.
If you have a marble bathroom, you should wipe it clean after every use. That way, you will remove excess water, body soil, oils, soap scum, and other grime and prevent them from building up. To make this task easier, consider keeping a squeegee near your shower so that you can easily wipe down your marble walls after showering. Water drops on your marble walls mixed with body soil and bath products are what will cause soap scum to accumulate.
Even if you do this on a daily basis, more thorough cleaning must be done at least once or twice a month. That will help remove any traces of mildew and mould and keep your marble looking its best.
Here is how to deep clean your marble shower:
- Create a cleaning solution
- Spray and wipe away
- Rinse
- Dry thoroughly
- For tough stains
If the cleaning steps did not remove all stains from the marble surface, try those methods to get rid of them for good:- Hard water buildup: If you skip the daily wiping of your marble walls, mineral deposits might have accumulated on them. Grab a super fine steel wool and gently scrub at the deposit to get rid of it. Use a very light touch in order to prevent scratching of the marble.
- Discolouration caused by bathroom products: To get rid of such spots, soak a clean cloth in 12% hydrogen peroxide and place it over the area of discolouration. Let it sit there for 10-15 minutes. Remove the cloth and if the stain is gone, rinse well and dry thoroughly. If the stain remains, repeat the hydrogen peroxide soak. Make sure you are using a fresh and active solution (it should start bubbling when applied).
- For mould and mildew: Make sure you are using a product that is suitable for marble. Avoid using vinegar or bleach.
Grab a spray bottle and fill it with very warm water. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and shake the solution well to mix it properly. Make sure you use a pH-neutral dishwashing detergent that contains no artificial dyes or acidic ingredients such as lemon or vinegar.
You can use a commercial marble cleaning solution (use the package instructions). Avoid cleaning marble with any bathroom spray products that contain bleach.
Spray the solution on the wall, starting at the top and working your way down. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe your marble walls in a circular motion. Make sure you pay extra attention to the areas around faucets and drains – mineral deposits and mildew staining accumulate easier in those places.
Use a handheld shower head or a bucket and rinse the whole surface of the wall with fresh water. Again, start at the top and make sure you remove all soapy residue. That way you will have a shiny surface and prevent any soapy residue from attracting more soil.
Use a squeegee to remove most of the water from the surface. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to buff the marble dry. Make sure you remove all water to avoid water stains.
Extra tips on maintaining your marble shower in pristine condition:
- Always check the pH of your cleaning solution. Keep in mind that any acidic ingredients such as lemon, citric acid, vinegar, etc. can etch and damage the surface of the marble.
- Avoid using harsh or stiff-bristled tools when cleaning granite. Those can permanently scratch the surface of the marble. Choose soft sponges, soft-bristled brushes, and avoid scrapers.
- Never use harsh chemicals, such as ammonia or bleach.
- If you live in an area with hard water, do not skip the drying of your marble shower after every use. Hard water causes mineral deposits to occur much faster.
- Do not forget to reseal your marble surfaces. Ask the manufacturer or the people who installed it to reapply the sealant when needed.
- If you don’t skip the drying of your shower walls after every use, you may only need to deep clean the marble only once a month. However, if there are any signs of mineral buildup, soap scum, or mildew stains, do not hesitate and grab the microfiber cloth.