Natural stone is a great
choice for a shower, as it can last a lifetime with an elegant, timeless style
that complements any bathroom décor. Stone showers are low maintenance, but
they can be prone to the same issues as other materials: a buildup of soap scum
that can be tricky to remove. Prevention is the key to keeping your stone
shower looking brilliant. Here's how to prevent soap buildup and get rid of it
for good.
Get Rid of Existing Soap Scum
If you have a stubborn buildup of soap scum and hard water deposits, the safest way to remove them is with a stone-safe cleaner. Use a non-scratchpad or nylon brush to scrub away the deposits (the nylon brush or pad won’t damagethe protective seal). After scouring the deposits for about 5 minutes, rinse away with warm water. Heavy deposits may require using a single-edge razorblade to remove the film from the stone.
Once the soap scum is gone, you can start a preventative approach to keep it at bay.
Perform Weekly Cleaning
Using a stone-safe granite cleaner on your shower walls once a week can remove water deposits, soap scum, and other dirt from the stone and prevent future soap scum from attaching to the walls. It's important to clean the stone regularly to prevent soap scum, but only use non-acidic cleaners designed for stone, such as Granite Gold Shower Cleaner®. Avoid using common household cleaners containing citric acid, ammonia, vinegar, and other harsh chemicals. Vinegar is considered an effective method for removing soap scum and mildew from other materials, but it can damage stone.
Squeegee Daily
Using a stone cleaner once a week is important, but you should also give your shower a little attention every day. After every shower, take a moment to remove water from the stone walls with a squeegee, which also removes shampoo, soap, and grime before it can dry and create a dull sheen on the surface.
Consider Switching Soaps
The products you use in the shower contribute to soap scum. Some soaps are more likely to lead to buildup than others. Bar soap is responsible for the greatest amount of soap scum, as hard water reacts with the paraffin in the soap to create a layer of scaliness on the shower walls. Switching to a liquid body soap or body wash may reduce the amount of residue.
Seal the Stone
Sealing stone regularly won't repel soap scum buildup, but it can prevent stains from beauty care products and shampoo and reduce absorption that comes with prolonged exposure to hard water deposits. A sealant works to seal pores in the stone and create a barrier against chemicals and liquids. You can seal your stone yourself, butfirst you need toclean the shower thoroughly. After drying the stone, apply the sealer in 3-foot sections at a time. Immediately buff the sealer into the stone using a soft, clean cloth. Continue buffing until the sealer is absorbed before moving on to the next section.
Polish the Stone
Polishing repels water
spots and soap scum buildup. To polish stone in your shower, spray Granite GoldPolish® 6-8 inches from the surface, then wipe dry with a paper towl or
lint-free cloth. However, make sure to avoid polishing
the shower floor, as it could become dangerously slippery.
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