Tips for Caring for Shower Walls Made of Natural Stone

Of all the materials you can choose to build your shower, natural stone is likely your best option. Compared to ceramic tile and the porcelain materials fabricated for use in the bathroom, natural stone offers more than just a touch of class. You also have more flexibility in terms of design. If you’re looking to make a bold interior design statement in the shower or bathtub surround, you can choose a limestone arrangement of mosaic tiles to resemble ancient bathhouses. Let's say you choose granite for your walk-in shower room. This will not only boost the appeal of your property during a future sale, but also provide energy efficiency since natural stone is able to retain heat better than ceramic tiles during the winter months. Some homeowners may have concerns about cleaning and maintenance of natural-stone shower walls, but the reality of this material is that it’s easy to clean. Here are some recommendations. Choose the Right Stone and Finish In the shower, some stones are better than others when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. In general, the stones with less porosity are preferred, and this includes granite, quartzite, and onyx. The latter two aren’t as common as granite, thus making them potentially more expensive. You can also choose marble and limestone. A honed and polished finish is easier to clean in the shower. A brushed and textured finish, on the other hand, may present opportunities for mold and mildew spores to form. Set Up a Cleaning Routine You should wipe down and scrub the stone surface at least once a week, and you should use a granite shower cleaner such as Granite Gold Shower Cleaner® exclusively. Using common household cleaners can be risky because they contain phosphates and other chemicals that can damage natural stone. As long as you stick to a routine that includes cleaning, sealing, and polishing, your stone shower walls will retain their original look. Here's a quick video explaining how to use Granite Gold Shower Cleaner®: Keep a Fresh Seal on Your Stone The impregnating seal applied by the installation contractors won’t last forever. It’s a base that will eventually need to be refreshed, and this will be up to you. With regular applications of Granite Gold Sealer®, your shower walls will be protected, but some types of stone may require more frequent sealing. For instance, with white Carrara marble, you may see dark spots forming on textured surfaces a couple of weeks after sealing, and this will be your cue to apply another coat. Pay Attention to the Grout The grouting of natural-stone showers is more likely to attract mold than the tiles. A soft nylon brush can be used for scrubbing the grout lines with Granite Gold Grout Cleaner®. Stubborn mildew can be scrubbed away with a few drops of diluted bleach, but don't forget to rinse, clean, and reseal the walls after getting rid of mold spots. The above tips apply no matter what type of natural stone your shower walls are made of, including marble, limestone, and granite. Care for your natural-stone shower properly with the high-quality products provided by Granite Gold®. If you have any questions, call the Stone Care Experts today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866).