There’s no shame in a shower becoming messy. That’s what happens when we use it for its intended purpose. Shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, and soap can all leave behind residues. And then there’s the human stuff, like skin cells, body oils, and hair. Factor in hard water buildup, heat, and humidity, and a shower can quickly become more like a giant petri dish.
If you’re diligent about regularly cleaning your tile shower, but you are still dealing with problems, this article is for you. Common mistakes and oversights can produce dissatisfactory results over time. Here are some tips for keeping your shower clean and inviting.
Basic Cleaning and Care Instructions
Wipe your shower down after each use, and then do a more thorough cleaning every week or two, or as often as needed, depending on how much use the shower gets. Here are some basic shower cleaning instructions.
- Remove all items in the shower so that you have easy access to the entire shower.
- Either clean your shower immediately following shower use, which is the most ideal scenario, or rinse the shower surfaces with warm water.
- Apply the appropriate cleaning solution for your type of tile. Read cleaning product labels (see below). Follow the instructions on the product label to clean your surfaces and fixtures.
- Rinse all surfaces.
- Control moisture (see below).
Have Copher Tile & Stone seal your tile and grout, if necessary, as often as needed.
Read Cleaning Product Labels
Are you using ineffective or improper cleaners? If you’re using the appropriate cleaners, are you following the instructions provided on the product label?
Over-diluted cleaners lack the potency to tackle deep cleaning needs. Use high quality cleaners at the recommended concentration for the best results.
Use the appropriate pH-balanced cleaner for routine care. If you are trying to resolve a particular problem and need to use a higher or lower pH product, check the label to make sure the product is safe for your type of tile and grout. Immediately following use, rinse with a neutral cleaner to prevent damage. Acidic and alkaline cleaners can damage the finish of certain types of tile and grout. Do not use acidic cleaning products, including vinegar, on calcium-based stone. Etch damage caused by acid-based cleaners will need to be removed by a professional stone restoration contractor.
Allow the appropriate amount of dwell time for cleaning products. Some types of cleaners are designed to soften buildup or break down stains over a period of time. If you apply them and then immediately wipe, you may not be satisfied with the results. Check the product label for recommended contact time.
If you are trying out a new type of cleaner, test it on a sample tile or in an inconspicuous area first.
Control Moisture
The most important thing you can do to keep your shower clean and free of mold and mildew is to control the amount of moisture that remains after showering. Mold and mildew thrive in a wet environment. Keep your bathroom as dry as possible so that it will be inhospitable to fungi. Here are a few ways to accomplish this:
- Keep a squeegee in your shower. After each use, swipe the shower walls and glass with the rubber blade. This is a quick and easy way to redirect water from the walls to the drain.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dry any excess water that remains after using the squeegee. Not only will this reduce moisture, it will help prevent water spots and soap scum buildup.
- Adequately ventilate your bathroom to prevent post-shower humidity in the air from settling on the shower tile you just dried. Make sure that your bathroom ventilation fan is the right size for your bathroom.
- Remove wet towels, wash cloths, floor mats, and other wet items from the bathroom.
- Radiant underfloor heating can help dry out the moisture. Many clients ask whether it is possible and safe to install heating under shower floors. The answers are yes and yes!
- If you live in a busy household with an often-used shower, run a dehumidifier in your bathroom.
- A clogged shower drain can cause slow drainage or puddling of water. Remove hair and debris from the drain. If necessary, remove the drain cover or snake the drain.
Grout Sealing
High performance grout provides moisture resistance. Hopefully, your shower was installed by Copher Tile & Stone.
As a standard practice, we use a high-performance cementitious grout that does not require sealing. These grouts perform as well as a standard cementitious grout does with a coat of sealer. They will accept a coat of sealer if you desire a higher performance, though. To maintain the higher performance, you will need to have your grout regularly resealed.
— Adam Copher, Owner of Copher Tile & Stone
We provide tile and stone sealing services, as well as grout sealing with penetrating sealers. These services can be scheduled as needed or on a recurring basis.
Hard Water Stain Removal and Prevention
The type of water you have in your home might affect your tile shower. Hard water can present cleaning and maintenance challenges. To learn more, read our article: Hard Water, Water Softeners, and Your New Tile.
To clean a mineral-clogged shower head, remove it (if possible), and soak it in a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water overnight. You can use a plastic bag partially filled with vinegar if you are unable to remove the shower head. Use rubber bands to secure it in place over the shower head. Just be careful about the acidic vinegar coming into contact with any acid-sensitive surface.
Older Showers
Showers with worn or damaged tiles and grout lines can be difficult to clean and maintain. If harsh abrasives and aggressive cleaning methods were used over a long period of time, the tile surfaces may have become porous. That means dirt and grime, soap scum, and moisture can easily settle in under the surface and become trapped there. If there are any chips or cracks, mold and mildew can thrive in these damp spaces. A professional tile and stone restoration contractor may be able to help you resolve your cleaning frustrations. If not, consider having Copher Tile and Stone replace your shower.
Stepping into a well-maintained, fresh, and clean shower is a great way to start your morning or wash away the cares of the day before bed. Make your daily shower an even more enjoyable experience by applying the tips in this article.
by Alice Dean
Copher Tile & Stone proudly stays up to date on tile installation with ongoing education with Mapei Technical Institute, Ardex Academy, the National Tile Contractors Association, Laticrete, and Schluter. Copher is a Certified Tile Installer (#1644).
