Best Practices When Cleaning Your Tile Shower (Ceramic, Glass, & Stone)
Proper cleaning on a consistent basis will extend the life of your shower for years to come. Keeping your shower clean and maintained will avoid unnecessary and costly repairs later on down the road.
As a home remodeling contractor that designs and builds bathroom spaces, we know the attention and care required to increase the lifetime of your tile shower.
This article will teach you the appropriate cleaning products and tools for your tile shower. Using these cleaning procedures will keep your shower clean and extend the life of your shower.
Cleaning products
When cleaning your shower, it is important to confirm the cleaning products you use are appropriate for the tile in your shower.
Ceramic and glass tiles
Due to their non-porous nature, ceramic and glass tiles can handle a standard bathroom cleaner. They won’t absorb the damaging chemicals in cleaners.
Some recommended shower cleaners appropriate for cleaning ceramic or glass tile showers are listed below:
- Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer
- ZEP Power Foam Tub and Tile Cleaner
- CLR Brilliant Bath Foaming Action Cleaner
Avoid using undiluted bleach to clean your tile shower.
Undiluted bleach is harmful to grout and will be damaging over time if it is used to clean your tile.
To create a household cleaning solution for ceramic and glass tile, you will only need two ingredients:
- Equal parts dish soap
- Equal parts white vinegar
This homemade solution works wonders for a ceramic or glass tile shower and can remove stubborn shower stains.
Natural stone tiles
Natural stone requires more care and attention to clean. The material is porous compared to ceramic tiles and therefore is more prone to chemical absorption.
Cleaning solutions that will damage natural stone include:
- Cleaners with high acidic content
- Vinegar-based cleaners
- Lemon-based cleaners
- Standard tub & shower cleaners (cleaners recommended for ceramic and glass)
Before purchasing any cleaner from the store, ensure that the cleaner does not damage the natural stone tile.
Recommended shower cleaners ideal for natural stone are:
To create a household cleaning solution for natural stone, a household cleaning solution for natural stone combine the following in a spray bottle:
- 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
- 1 cup glass cleaner
- 3 cups water
Cleaning tools
Using the appropriate tools to clean your shower will remove any risk of damage to your tile.
Ceramic and glass tile:
- Rubber gloves
- The appropriate cleaning solution of choice
- Non-scratch scrubber or soft bristle brush
- Dry with a standard towel
Natural stone tile:
- Rubber gloves
- Cleaning solution meant for stone tile
- Microfiber cloth or soft cleaning pad
- Dry with a fresh microfiber cloth
Avoid for all three types of tile:
highly abrasive scrubbers
How to clean your tile shower
When cleaning your shower, wear rubber gloves to avoid contact with harsh chemicals.
1. Pre-rinse and remove build-up
Use hot water to get the shower wet. Rinse the entire space.
Use the cleaning pad to loosen any built-up soap, mold, or mildew.
2. Soak the shower in the cleaning solution
Evenly distribute the cleaner on all tiles. Let it soak for a few minutes to allow the cleaner to penetrate any residue.
3. Scrub the tiles
Scrub all tiles. Especially in areas where water and residue tend to build up, such as:
- Around shampoo bottles
- On the flat surface of shower ledges
- At corners
- In between tile grout on the floor
Using a cleaning pad, brush, or cloth, scrub to remove residue and shower stains.
4. Rinse the shower to remove the cleaning solution
Use hot water when rinsing your shower. This will help remove any remaining grime.
5. Dry the shower
Using a microfiber cloth or towel, dry your shower to remove excess water.
How often should I clean a tile shower?
Your tile shower should be cleaned once a week.
A consistent cleaning schedule will ensure your tile shower stays in pristine condition for years to come.
Adding or repairing a tile shower in your home
Using the cleaning procedures outlined in this article will extend the life of your tile and help avoid costly repairs in the future.
Tile showers are an excellent addition to any bathroom, giving it a modern and updated appearance.
For information about remodeling your bathroom or shower in Michigan, contact our sales team at Custom Built to see if we can help you with your project.
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