How to Clean Rock Shower Floor
Rock showers are becoming increasingly popular, but they can be challenging to clean. Unlike tile or vinyl floors, rock shower floors don’t have any nooks for dirt to hide in. Plus, it’s hard to reach the edges of a rock floor with just a mop or sponge.
The best way to clean your rock shower is by using an acidic cleaner that will break down soap scum and grime build-up on the surface of the rocks. This blog post will outline This blog post will outline How to Clean Rock Shower Floor so that it keeps looking new!
Why Should You Clean Rock Shower Floor?
1. Cleanliness:
Hard water and soap scum can etch the grout and stone, making them rough to walk on and allowing mold & bacteria to grow.
2. Safety:
Slippery surfaces are a hazard when you fall or step on something soapy while getting out of the shower.
3. Health:
Mold spores are found in shower water and can be harmful, especially for children and people with allergies.
4. Appearance:
A clean shower doesn’t just look better; it looks newer and can make your entire bathroom look cleaner.
5. Maintain value:
Homebuyers see your shower and judge how much the home is worth.
6. Favorable impression:
The old adage goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” When selling your home, it is important to ensure that buyers get a good initial impression when they see your property. By keeping up with the house’s minor details, you can ensure that buyers will be encouraged to make an offer on your home.
7. Better functionality:
Having mold & soap scum build up over time leads to reduced Water flow through showerheads, causing them to clog or drip.
8. Comfort:
This might seem superficial, but you may forget just how refreshing your shower feels until it’s gone and you’re forced to use Water that hasn’t been well-treated.
10 Ways on How to Clean Rock Shower Floor:
Here we have mentioned some ways on how to clean rock shower floor.
1) Use Bleach and Water:
Mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of Water. Scrub the rock shower floor thoroughly, working on one section at a time. Please don’t allow the cleaning solution to dry on its own. Instead, rinse it off after giving it enough time to remove dirt and debris from the stone surface.
2) Use Mild Soap and Water:
Mix a few drops of mild, natural soap in Water and use a soft brush or cloth to scrub the rock shower floor. Rinse off with clean water and pat dry using a clean, absorbent towel. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving any soapy residue on the stone surface.
3) Baking Soda Paste:
Take a small bowl and mix baking soda with a few drops of Water. The consistency should be like that of toothpaste. Place this mixture over the dirty area and scrub using a dry cloth or brush. Let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse it off with Water.
4) Use Vinegar:
Pour white vinegar into the spray bottle, then spray the surface of the rock shower floor to dampen it. Next, use a scrub brush or dry cloth to spread baking soda or salt over the wet surface. Scrub thoroughly, then rinse with water and let the stone air-dry.
5) Cleaning Gel:
Mix equal parts laundry detergent and bleach in warm Water. Apply the solution onto a soft, non-abrasive cloth and use it to wipe down the surface of the rock shower floor. Be sure to rinse thoroughly, especially when cleaning a porous rock such as limestone or travertine.
6) Cleaning Systems:
Commercial cleaning systems, such as the Stonex brand, are explicitly designed for stone surfaces. While these products might be slightly more expensive than the others, they will guarantee an excellent result, especially if you’re dealing with exceptionally stubborn dirt and stains.
7) Apply the Right Finishes:
Regular and periodic dusting and sealing can help keep the shower floor clean and protect it from stains. Apply sealants regularly, especially if you live in a highly humid area or have tough Water.
8) Use the Right Cleaner:
Do not use cleaning solutions that contain ammonia on marble and limestone, as these can cause pitting. Always test a small patch of the rock surface before proceeding with any cleaning or sealing process.
9) Dry or Saturate Water:
Avoid using Water directly on stone surfaces, especially if they are very porous. Water can seep inside the stone pores, which will eventually cause permanent damage to the surface.
10) Use Specialized Cleaning Solution:
There are specific cleaning products for different types of stones. For example, mild acids are suitable for limestone and marble surfaces, while others are designed to remove rust from iron-based rocks like basalt.
Make sure you keep your shower floor clean by using the right product for it. This will help prolong its lifespan and keep it in good shape for a long time.
NOTE: Be sure to carefully read the instructions that come with your cleaning product or system, as they may vary depending on what you’re using. The above tips serve as guidelines, and different types of stone surfaces might require other cleaning solutions.
Tips to Maintain Rock Shower Floor:
1. The rock in a rock shower can be porous and absorbs Water; if not completely dry, the area will remain damp in high humidity conditions. This can cause mildew to develop or create a perfect environment for mold/mildew colonies to grow deep into the rock pores.
2. To prevent this from happening, you should wipe down the rocks after each showering session.
3. In high humidity conditions, it is a good idea to open any doors/windows that lead outside and use the fan from your home HVAC system or even a portable air conditioner to get rid of excess moisture in the bathroom.
4. After every shower, you should take a squeegee and run it along the length of your shower door to wipe up any excess water/soap scum build-up.
5. To further reduce fungus or mildew growth, you can also spray a 10% bleach solution on the rocks after each session. This will kill anything that may be growing deep in your porous rock!
Things to Consider Before Cleaning Rock Shower Floor:
Before taking action on how to clean rock shower floor, here are some things you need to consider:
1) Avoid Soap Scum:
Avoid using too much soap in the shower. Also, try to buy milder shower soap such as Dove. This will help reduce the amount of soap scum on the rocks and floor, making cleaning easier.
2) Steer Clear of Acidic Cleaning Products:
Please don’t use acidic cleaners because they could cause etching in the rocks and other materials used for your rock shower floor.
3) Test your Cleaning Solution in a small Area:
Always test out your cleaning solution by using it on a rock or rock material that isn’t used in the rest of the shower before going with it over the entire area. This will help you avoid making a costly mistake, which could require the replacement of materials or costly repairs.
4) Avoid Harsh Chemicals:
Never use any harsh chemicals on your rock shower floor. This includes products like CLR, which is used to clean drains, or hydrofluoric acid cleaners. This could damage the rocks or etch them over time. If you want to be extra careful, it’s best not to use any chemicals on your rock shower floor.
5) Find the Right Cleaning Solution:
You can clean your rocks with a solution of one cup of baking soda, half a cup of vinegar, and three cups of Water. Mix them all until it makes a paste. You will want to wash the walls first, rub the paste over the rocks, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse off.
6) Use a Soft Bristled Brush:
Make sure to gently brush your rock shower floor with a soft bristle brush after you’ve cleaned it, and this will help scrub away any dirt or soap residue that may have been left behind. You can also use a wooden broom but avoid wire brushes.
7) Clean the Perimeter of your Rock Shower Floor:
It’s also a good idea to use a bleach and water solution (one cup of bleach per one-gallon Water) around the perimeter of your rock shower floor. This will help prevent mildew from building up over time. Don’t forget to rinse thoroughly after scrubbing this area with the bleach solution.
8) Scrub Down Shower Curtain:
After you’ve finished scrubbing down your walls and rock shower floor, make sure to give your umbrella or shower curtain a good cleaning as well. Wash it in the washing machine with a heavy-duty detergent on a regular cold water cycle. Hang it dry.
9) Clean the Drain regularly:
It’s also a good idea to regularly pour one cup of bleach down your shower drain. This will help prevent mildew or other contaminations from forming in there, which can cause odors.
10) Replace damaged rocks regularly:
Make it a point to look for any loose, broken, or damaged rocks in your shower. If you see any, it’s a good idea to replace them as soon as possible.
Conclusion:
This post informs you what you need to do when your rock shower floor needs cleaning. The process of how to clean rock shower floors can be daunting, so we wanted to share our experience with everyone else who has been in this situation before and help them out!
Check out these steps on how to get that new-looking feel back for your bathroom’s centerpiece. If you have any questions or want advice about other aspects of your bathroom design, please reach out anytime. We’re happy to help!
Angela Ervin
Angela is the executive editor of DIY quickly. She began her career as an interior designer before applying her strategic and creative passion to lifestyle and home. She has close to 15 years of experience in creative writing and online content strategy for housekeeping, home decorations as well as other niche efforts. She loves her job and has the privilege of working with an extraordinary team. She lives with her husband, two sons, and daughter in Petersburg. When she's not busy working she spent time with her family.
