Natural stone showers are very very pleasing to the eye. However, they are tricky to maintain because their nature. Based on the type of stone, they all behave differently when in contact with water and steam. However, one thing will happen with all of them; mold will grow, and you will have to come up with a way to effectively remove the mold and prevent it from growing again. Here are some hints that can help you in this task. |
Prevention
The smartest solution for natural stone shower tiles would be to have them impregnated and sealed after they are installed. Next keep them clean after each shower or bath to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. We often do not have time to clean our shower after each use, especially in today's fast-paced world. So, it would be best if you dedicated one day to cleaning your natural stone. Here are some tips for cleaning your shower on a regular basis.
Cleaning Products
First, always use a clean rag or mop, and clean the stone with a neutral cleaner which is specially made for that type of natural stone. If you decide to use some home products for cleaning, be careful! In a recent report from suppliers of stone tiles, it was reported that products which contain lemon, vinegar or other types of acids may damage or etch the stone. Pay particular attention to product labels and check what chemicals the product contains. Basic or alkaline products are a better option since they tend not to damage the already sensitive natural stone surfaces.
Test Drive Your Cleaning Product
After you have decided on the product, you must perform a test. Use a small amount of the cleaning agent on a small surface (if you have a piece of tile left from the installation you can experiment on it) and see what happens. If it starts damaging the tile or causing an aggressive chemical reaction, then stop and change to a different product. The last thing you need are damaged tiles and an entire shower to be redone. Before you start cleaning, turn the hot water on, close the door and let the steam loosen the mold.
Go to Work
Protect the surrounding surfaces, especially if using a spray cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label, apply the product and if it is required to leave it do its own business for some time, never leave it longer than the directions call for! This could cause irritation to the stone and adverse chemical reactions.
As a final step, rinse the surfaces you cleaned with warm water. Even though cleaning products today are usually enriched with pleasant smells, cleaning of dirty surfaces will surely cause a certain degree of bad smell. In order to get rid of it during the very process of cleaning, it would be best if you turned the ventilation on. If you do not have it installed, open the window and the door and to allow fresh air to enter.
As a final step, rinse the surfaces you cleaned with warm water. Even though cleaning products today are usually enriched with pleasant smells, cleaning of dirty surfaces will surely cause a certain degree of bad smell. In order to get rid of it during the very process of cleaning, it would be best if you turned the ventilation on. If you do not have it installed, open the window and the door and to allow fresh air to enter.