10 Ways To A Cleaner Marble Shower

The ancient Roman baths so ornately handcrafted out of marble have lasted for thousands of years. This stone is a classic material used for countertops, flooring and baths. Unfortunately, it stains easily. Soap scum can build up over time when it isn’t cleaned properly, and unlike the ancient Romans, you likely don’t have an archaeological team willing to polish your bathroom marble to restore it for free.

Here are some cleaning tips for marble in your shower to keep it pristine and beautiful for generations to come.

1) Make sure all marble is sealed.

Most marble is sealed during fabrication, before installation, but it will need to be retreated over time. Darker colors may only need to be resealed once a year, but lighter colors may need to be treated more often. Fortunately, sealing marble is a fairly easy task that doesn’t take a lot of elbow grease, unless there is a lot of buildup.

2) Don’t leave pools of water in the bath or shower.

Dry the marble after taking a bath or shower. Pools of water can wear on the sealant and leave stains on the marble. Use a soft cloth or a squeegee to wipe surfaces dry after use. This step can also reduce soap scum buildup.

3) Shine the marble.

Using a chamois cloth, polish the marble after you have cleaned it. There are commercial marble polishes on the market, but make sure that the polish is intended to be used on marble.

4) Clean your shower weekly.

Most all-purpose household cleaners are alkaline based, which can damage marble surfaces. Acidic cleaners, such as those that contain lemon juice or vinegar, can corrode marble. When cleaning marble, you need to choose a pH neutral cleaner that is designed for natural materials.

For light-colored marble, hydrogen peroxide is a good natural cleaner. For darker marble, a small amount of acetone can safely wipe away potential stains. In either instance, be sure to rinse the area with water so that the chemicals don’t sit too long on the surface.

If you prefer to make your own cleaners, you can mix 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 1-½ cups of water in a spray bottle. The alcohol has the same acidity as water, so it is safe on the marble, but it offers the benefits of a little extra germ protection, and it evaporates quickly. Just spray it on the marble and wipe everything down with a soft cloth or squeegee.

Another way to reduce soap scum buildup is to use liquid soaps rather than bar soaps, or softer cleaners like castile soap, and, if possible, to avoid using bubble bath. If you do use bubble bath, be sure to rinse the bathtub and wipe it dry after use.

You can also use a squeegee to wipe down the walls and bottom of the tub. Taking a few minutes each day to keep the bathroom clean will save you hours in the long-run.

5) Clean stains.

Before cleaning a stain, it helps to know what it’s from. Your home shower probably isn’t going to be exposed to many of the common food agents that stain, such as coffee, cumin, cinnamon or leafy greens, but it is still exposed to damaging elements. Shaving products, toothpaste, perfumes and mouthwash are harsh products that could damage marble if they’re left to sit on marble too long.  

One of the best cleaning agents is a thick paste made of baking soda and water. Wet the area of the marble that is stained, then apply the paste to the stained patch. Cover this with plastic wrap and let it sit for 24 hours. Remove the plastic wrap and wipe up the paste with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary.

Oil-based stains (from cosmetics, for example) may need to be cleaned with mineral spirits or acetone. The stain must be chemically dissolved to rinse away the stain’s source.

Always use a soft brush or soft cloth to clean marble, no matter what type of stain.

6) Remove rust stains from marble quickly.

Although it’s much better to avoid leaving metal objects in your shower or bath, don’t panic if you do get a rust stain on your marble. The kinds of rust-looking stains on marble can vary depending on the environment the marble is installed in, and the kind of marble it is, which will influence how you to treat the discoloration to correct it. The method for removing a rust stain is similar to removing most stains, but you will want to find a professional product, likely a poultice cleaner. These products can be found at most hardware stores. Do some research into the kind of marble in your home and narrow down the likely cause before you select a product to use.

To make a poultice remover, blend the powder and distilled water into a very thick paste. Spread this paste over the stain about ¼-inch thick. Don’t apply the paste to the surrounding areas. Cover the area with plastic wrap and tape it down to keep moisture in. Leave it on for 24 hours. Remove the tape and plastic wrap.

Let the paste dry, then scrape it off the stain with a plastic scraper. Don’t use metal or anything sharp because you don’t want to damage the marble. Wipe the area with a damp cloth and clean as normal. Stubborn stains may require multiple applications.

It’s important to be aware that most rust stain removal products will be acidic and will likely leave some etching on the marble surface. The etching can be polished or honed out, or there are additional products you can buy to help return it to its previous shine.

7) Remove mold and mildew from marble tile.

Mold can grow wherever the spores can attach if the conditions are right. Be careful to keep your walls dry, and if the environment is particularly humid, you might want to consider installing fans or dehumidifiers to protect your home. If it’s unavoidable, be sure to keep the marble clean using a neutral cleaner and regular care. Keeping the walls clean kills the nutrients that mold feeds on and prevents the mold from growing, so regular cleanings will help.

If your marble has mold or mildew, you can still return it to new. Use a mixture of baking soda and peroxide to clean the mold and other dirt away. Make sure the walls are dried after cleaning, but be careful not to use a towel, which might smear the mold spores around to previously unaffected areas.

A well-diluted bleach solution, ½ cup of bleach in a gallon of water, can also be used. Do not mix bleach with another chemical as you could create a toxic gas.  Also keep in mind that bleach is acidic and if used carelessly could etch the marble.

After cleaning, you may then want to follow up with sealant to keep the mold or mildew from recurring.

8) Clean away scratches.

The gentlest way to treat scratches in marble is to rub them away using warm water and a soft cloth. You may also add mild dish soap to the water. Make sure to wipe away the soapy water and dry the marble when you are finished.

For deeper scratches, you can try a fine-grade sandpaper. Do not use a coarse-grain sandpaper, because you could make the problem worse. If you cannot wipe away the scratch, call your professional who installed the marble. There are professional methods of removing scratches that won’t damage the finish any farther.

9) Inspect the bath and shower marble regularly.

Annually, you should check the marble for structural problems. Check to make sure the grout and caulking are still intact. Look for scratches or staining that might have been missed. Inspect the finish. If you aren’t happy, talk to your marble professional about how to restore your stone.

20) Hire a marble care professional.

When you’ve cleaned all you can, even tried over-the-counter products, and aren’t getting the results you want, you may need to reach out to an expert. A restoration specialist can help you protect your investment before it gets any worse. Fire or smoke damage can often be repaired with commercial smoke removal products. Don’t give up on your marble until you have exhausted all possibilities. If the stone can survive through the ages and outlive the Romans, it will more than likely survive your home, too.