8 Easiest Ways To Clean Marble Showers

You may have invested in a marble shower because of the durability of the material. Perhaps you may have done it because it makes your bathroom look seriously zen, luxurious, and aesthetically pleasing. Either way, you don't want to damage your shower while cleaning it. Granite Gold outlines that while marble is tough, there are some serious dos and don'ts when it comes to maintaining the look and finish. 

Merry Maids outlines that when it comes to cleaning your marble shower, it's best to use gentle, natural materials and to keep on top of the cleaning. Additionally, The Spruce writes that in order to maintain the integrity of the marble, you need to wipe away any water and condensation after every shower. It's also important that you've not left any shower gels or oils on the floor. And it's best to keep marble dry to prevent stains from forming and bacteria gathering.

Cleaning your marble shower after every use may sound heavy-duty, but How To Clean Marble explains that under these circumstances you can use gentle products that you have around your house. If stains, scratches, or mildew form, you may need to invest in products that are a little tougher. So here are eight easy ways to clean marble showers.

The Spruce explains that the best way to clean and care for your marble shower is by cleaning it after every use, every day. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to get down on your hands and knees and scrub the shower clean, though.

After every shower, Cleanipedia suggests taking a very soft rag or microfiber cloth and wiping over the shower tiles and floor. Ensure all the water and products are gone. Granite Gold suggests doing this at least a few times a week and then deep cleaning your marble shower once a week.

Merry Maids writes that maintaining your marble shower's cleaning upkeep won't just protect you from mildew and stains. The publication outlines that if soaps, hard water, or other products are left to sit on the marble it can begin to damage the surface. This will leave you with bigger problems than stains.

Marble showers look incredibly beautiful, but they're also very sensitive. So for small cleaning jobs, it's best to use regular soap or washing up liquid. How To Clean Marble recommends keeping a cloth and squeegee on hand at all times. Additionally, if you want to use soap or detergent on your marble shower then they recommend using one that has a neutral pH. Simple Green explains that the pH of your products is important because marble is a soft stone. Lemon, vinegar, and soaps with citrus notes in them are acidic; when they come into contact with the marble they may erode and damage your shower.

Wet the surface first before pouring the soap over it, as this will help the soap spread and clean the surface more evenly. Once the cleaner is on the marble you can wipe over it and then buff it dry. Avoid using abrasive sponges and ensure that the shower is dry once you've finished cleaning it.

Like any showers, marble showers can accumulate mold and mildew if they're not cleaned and cared for properly. Love To Know explains that you can use mold and mildew remover on your marble shower, but it needs to be a formula that's specifically designed to use on the soft natural stone.

The Marble Cleaner shares that in order to remove mold or mildew without damaging your marble shower, you'll need your specially designed product, a soft cloth, a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush, and water. Apply the mold and mildew remover and let it sit in the targeted area or areas for between five and 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, take your toothbrush and run it over the area, scrubbing very gently. Once you've lifted as much of the mold or mildew as you can, spray or run warm water over the area and buff clean and dry with a soft cloth.

If you've noticed more prominent stains in your marble shower, then you may want to consider creating a DIY stain-busting mix out of baking powder and water. Stephanie Laney, lead designer for Surfaces USA told Forbes that marble in the bathroom is often a popular choice because your shower won't be exposed to the same kinds of stains that it would in the kitchen. However, that isn't to say that stains can be avoided altogether. Tile Club writes that in the case of big stains, you need to take a targeted approach. 

Begin by ensuring that your shower is totally dry and then spray the stained area with water. In a bowl mix baking powder and water until it creates a thick paste. Spread the paste all over the stain ensuring you have an even, thick layer. Cover the stained area in plastic wrap and leave it to sit for 24 hours. In this period, make sure everyone in your house knows not to use the shower. After 24 hours, you can remove the plastic wrap and wipe the solution away with a soft cloth. If the area is still stained then you can repeat the process.

Many experts outline that you should be really careful in putting stronger cleaning products on your marble shower surfaces. However, The Spruce writes that 12% hydrogen peroxide could be your answer to getting out difficult stains. The publication explains that you should cover a soft cloth or paper towel in 12% hydrogen peroxide. Ensure that you protect your hands while you do this. Put the saturated towel on the stained area and wait for at least 20 minutes. If you're worried that it will move, you can tape it down or put weight on it. After 10 minutes, lift the towel or cloth. If the stain persists then you should repeat the process with more hydrogen peroxide and a new cloth. If it's gone then you can rinse over the area, wipe clean, and buff dry.

While you may be hesitant to apply chemicals to your marble shower, Clever writes that the Marble Institute has given 12% hydrogen peroxide with a dash of ammonia their seal of approval. These solutions work particularly well on oily stains; if you use hair oil or dry body oil in the shower, then this could help get rid of stains.

When you're on the hunt for marble cleaning recommendations, it's more than likely that all of the information you come across will fairly explicitly advise against using hard or abrasive cleaning materials. However, How To Clean Marble reveals that if you are struggling to get rid of mineral build-up or water stains, then very fine steel wool may be the only solution. If you leave water in your marble shower the minerals can build up and leave stains. This is especially true if you live in a place that has hard water.

The key to getting rid of water stains with fine steel wool is to handle your marble shower with a lot of care. Ensure that the surface is totally dry with a soft cloth, then gently scrub at the stains in very targeted motions. Don't scrub hard, and if you feel like you can hear the marble scratching then stop immediately.

Another super easy cleaning hack using a product that is most likely already in your kitchen cupboard is using corn starch to get stains out of the surface of your marble. Cleanipedia writes that corn starch is particularly good at absorbing oily or greasy stains. It's best to try and clean these stains as soon as they happen or soon afterward.

The publication writes that you should sprinkle a generous amount of corn starch across the stained area, making sure that there's an even coating across the stain. Leave the corn starch to sit for between 20 minutes and half an hour. Wipe away the corn starch with a damp cloth and then buff dry.

If you notice that the stain persists, then Cleanipedia says that you can leave the corn starch solution on the stain for up to 24 hours before wiping it away. This will give your marble a much more intense clean.

While marble is absolutely something you can clean yourself, sometimes it's better to get an expert's eye and opinion. It is quite a delicate rock, and Better Homes & Gardens explains that using one wrong product or not maintaining the cleanliness of your marble shower could cause irreparable damage to the surface of the rock.

If you have a dark stain in your marble shower or have scratched the surface, then you may need to seek the help of an expert. As lead designer for Surfaces USA Stephanie Laney explained, the role that sealant can have in helping you clean your marble is vital. "Sealers are like buying time," she told Forbes. "What it is doing is sealing the top of the marble so things won't penetrate quickly."

The Spruce shares that your marble shower should be sealed as soon as you have it installed in order to protect it. From that point onwards you can either reseal your shower yourself, or call in an expert to do it. Clever suggests that it's a good idea to do this every few months.