How To Clean Mold Off Natural Stone Shower?

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
17 min read

Mold removal from a natural stone shower can be accomplished in two ways. A degreaser or a mildew remover can do the trick. In this post, you’ll discover more about that, as well as how to care for your natural stone showers!

Mold On Stone

However, mold on stone isn’t all that odd. A popular place for mold to grow is in the shower because of the availability of water.

Natural stones, such as limestone and marble, are also porous. That means they are capable of soaking up water. Mold grows on natural stone because of unattended moisture.

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How To Detect Mold In Natural Stone Showers

Mold may be detected in showers in two ways, both of which just involve the use of your senses. Mold growth is what one is searching for. The various shades of mold can be seen in this article.

The corners of your shower are a common place to locate mold. You may learn a lot about mold contamination by looking at the region where it’s present.

With the nose, you can also tell if you’ve got mold. When your shower isn’t well-ventilated, the aroma of it is impossible to miss.

To check for mold in your shower, you can use moisture meters or a mold inspector’s kit. Natural stones, on the other hand, have a tendency to exaggerate the benefits of their material.

Contact a specialist as soon as possible if the mold damage is extensive. If you think you can handle it, keep reading to learn how to get rid of the mold.

Causes of mold growth in the shower

If you look at where the mold is growing, you can learn a lot about its possible origins. Alternatively, you’ll be able to see exactly where the leak is coming from in your shower.

Shower mold can be classified into two types. To begin, there’s a visible one, and then there’s a hidden one.

Mold can grow in three places on the surface. Caulk and grout aren’t immune to the fungus, which can also grow on the stone itself.

Another three reasons for mold damage in the surrounding areas are also available. Supply line leaks, fractured tile, or vapor drive may be to blame.

What are the effects of mold growth in the shower?

Mold development in the shower that is contained within the wall cavity does not pose a significant risk to the user’s health. Inhalation of surface mold, on the other hand, can be harmful.

There’s also the problem of mold spores. Thus, here is an article on how to get rid of mold spores.

Steps On Cleaning Mold Off Natural Stone Shower

Mold development in the shower can lead to serious pollution if left unchecked. It’s critical to get rid of mold as soon as possible before it gets out of hand. Mold in the shower is a simple problem to solve.

Step #1. Protect

For your own safety, you should use gloves and goggles when dealing with mold. Consider donning goggles, long rubber gloves, and a face mask.

Protect not only your own skin, but also any other surfaces you may come into contact with. Spot-test products that eradicate mold before using them on the entire surface.

Step #2. Spray

Find out which mildew remover for natural stone works best for you by researching your options. Use a mildew remover you’ve purchased and sprayed it two to four inches above the surface on the damaged areas.

Allow at least five minutes for the spray to rest on the mold stains. Rinse the area with cool water after that. Re-do this step 30 minutes later.

Instead of buying mildew remover, you can use a degreaser, which is far cheaper. Ten parts hot water to one part degreaser. Do a spot test first, then proceed if it’s safe enough.

A plastic bristle scrub brush is then dipped into the liquid. Scrub the stone to remove any mold stains.

Ways to prevent mold growth on natural stone shower

One of the best methods to prevent mold from forming on a natural stone shower is to keep it clean and dry. Sadly, most of us don’t have the time or inclination to thoroughly dry our restrooms after each use. For additional protection against mold growth on your natural stone shower, see the following suggestions.

1. Ventilate

In order to keep mold at bay, you must ensure that your shower is properly ventilated. Keep the bathroom’s windows and door open to allow fresh air in and out. Investing in a high-quality fan is also a terrific method to ventilate your bathroom.

2. Keep the surfaces soap-free

Keeping your bathroom clean and well-rinsed is your best bet if you can’t get it completely dry. Allowing soap to dry on the surfaces of your shower is a surefire method to invite mold into your bathroom.

3. Set a cleaning day

Cleaning your caulk and grout as least once a week will help to keep them in good working order. Additionally, after cleaning, be sure to thoroughly dry your shower.

Sealing your caulk and grout is another way to keep them in good shape. Keep an eye out for signs of wear on caulk and grout as you clean them. If so, be sure to caulk them correctly.

R&S’s top 5 stone shower cleaning tips

Clean stone weekly.

Maintaining a clean stone shower on a weekly basis will help to keep it free of dirt, water deposits, and mildew. Instead of vinegar or ammonia, use stone-safe products. This type of product is too harsh on stone; its acids stain the surface.

Only treat mildew and mold with bleach.

Bleach is a common cleaning chemical for showers, however if used excessively on stone, it can be too abrasive. Bleach and water can be sprayed directly on mildew and mold to kill the microorganisms. Rinse with warm water after scrubbing with a bristle brush for 10-15 minutes and allowing the area to soak.

Clean with a microfiber towel or nylon pad.

To avoid damaging scratches, use gentler sponges to clean tile and stone. Stone may be cleaned with nylon, microfiber, and soft brushes without destroying its sealer. Keeping a microfiber towel near the shower is another option for soaking up and removing extra water.

Scrub the grout with an old toothbrush.

Don’t forget the grout while cleaning your natural stone. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles instead of the stone. Remove the dirt and filth from the grout by scrubbing with a stone-safe grout cleaner. Use warm water to wash.

Steam clean it.

Steam is the greatest method for cleaning a stone shower. It’s easier to clean stone after a shower since the steam loosens up the pores. Call the R&S professionals to get the most out of your steam cleaning. We employ hot-water extraction steam cleaning to thoroughly clean your stone shower. In addition, we’ll seal your stone to extend the life of your clean!

Want a sparkling stone shower? Here’s how to do it. We’d love to hear from you!

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How to Avoid Mold, Mildew & Soap Scum Build-Up In The Shower

Residential showers are the most common source of tile, grout, and natural stone maintenance issues.

Soap scum, mold, and mildew can quickly take hold in a freshly installed shower or one that has been professionally cleaned if it isn’t properly maintained.

In no time at all, you’ve lost all of your luster and are fighting a losing battle. Having a new shower installed forces you to have it professionally cleaned sooner than you intended.

Soaps, high humidity, lack of ventilation, and sometimes well water all combine to make showers a difficult place to clean and maintain.

What causes mold and mildew to develop up in your shower are three of the most typical causes.

In between professional cleanings, there are several things you can do to prevent problems.

Mineral Deposits

Minerals in water are tiny, especially in well water. Mineral particles are left behind when water beads attach to the tile’s surface and subsequently evaporate.

Glass doors and tiles will become clouded and dulled over time as these particles build up. The mineral deposits are rock-hard, making removal a difficult task.

The Solution for Mineral Deposits

After each shower, wipe off the walls and doors with a gentle rubber squeegee. You can also use a synthetic chamois cloth.

As much water as possible needs to be removed from the shower wall to prevent mineral deposits from accumulating.

Soap Scum

After a shower, soap scum and soap residue build up and are practically impossible to remove with standard cleaning methods. Adhered concrete! (You can conceive of it as such!)

Bacteria and mildew thrive in soap scum and body oil residue because of the “yummy” food source it provides. Bacteria forming on top of soap scum is most likely to blame for the orange or pink discoloration you witness in the shower.

The Solution for Soap Scum

No matter how many times your children tell you it’s an option, showering without soap is not one of them.

You should use body washes instead of bar soaps because they don’t include paraffin. The best alternative is to switch to a body soap in a liquid or gel form.

Mildew and Bacteria

There are two typical culprits, whether the shower is made of tile or glass. Moisture and humidity play a role in their formation as well.

Obviously, showers make this difficult.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, mildew is available in a variety of colors: black, orange, and red. Lovely.

The Solution for Mildew and Bacteria

The easiest way to prevent mildew formation in the shower is to keep the moisture and humidity levels low.

Keeping the shower walls and floor dry reduces the growth of mildew and its recurrence significantly.

A chamois cloth or a squeegee is the best way to remove the additional water from the walls and doors to prevent mildew and bacteria from taking hold.

In addition, open the shower door to provide as much airflow as possible.

Take Back Your Clean Shower

Get your shower professionally cleaned on a regular basis by calling in the pros.

However, while you’re at it, follow these guidelines to keep your home clean.

Proactive maintenance extends the period between cleanings by professionals. It will also save you money in the long run because you won’t have to pay for restoration.

FAQs

How do I get rid of black mold on my natural stone shower?

Take your electric scrubber to the moldy grout and begin scrubbing away at it. It should just take a few minutes for the mold to be removed from the grout. If there is still mold on the surface, repeat the rinsing process. After removing all of the mold, thoroughly dry the area and liberally saturate it with EC3 Mold Solution Spray.

How do you remove mold from natural stone?

Use a nylon brush or pad to apply a 50/50 mix of bleach and water. When you’re done scrubbing, allow the bleach and water solution to remain for about 15 minutes before rinsing and applying natural stone cleanser and sealer.

What is the best way to clean a natural stone shower?

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, which is pH-neutral, should be used once a week to maintain the cleanliness of natural stone. Beautiful stone surfaces are protected from damage by the powerful cleaner, which eliminates soap scum and other debris as well as oily residue from your skin and hair with no harm to the stone.

Can you use bleach on natural stone?

Acids and bases have the ability to both stain and later etch surfaces since their pH values are higher than 7, which makes them base chemicals. The molecular structure of natural stone changes after a chemical reaction has reached etching, causing damage to the surface.

Tile, Grout & Natural Stone Maintenance

How do you get mould off stone tiles?

It’s possible that your cleaning solution, which may be bleach-based or borax-based due to its power, will remove the mould if it’s on or around your tiles. Using a flat-headed screwdriver, remove the old sealant and reapply the fresh one. Regular cleaning of the tiles, grout, and sealant are all things to keep in mind.

How do you remove black mold from Travertine?

To remove mildew from a travertine shower, an all-purpose alkaline-based cleaner, which is 1-part baking soda to 4 parts borax combined to 8 parts of water, is required. Spray the shower walls and the travertine tile floors with the solution in a spray bottle. Rinse thoroughly after 15 minutes of sitting.

Is baking soda safe for natural stone?

There is an alkaline base to baking soda in its dry state, with a pH of 8.4. … The caustic nature of baking soda makes it unsuitable for use on natural stone at such pH levels.

Conclusion

It’s simple to learn how to remove mold from a natural stone shower. However, the advice on how to keep it in good condition could take a long time. Despite this, we urge you to proceed as planned in order to avoid the spread of mold.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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