Being a cleaning expert, I have seen a lot of homes with all kinds of bathrooms and kitchens over the years. It seems natural stone is a very popular choice for both bathrooms and kitchens. It looks beautiful, however...it is not easy to maintain and clean.
While granite and marble are practical in the kitchen, it would not be my number one choice. It’s very porous. If you decide to go with natural stone for the shower, you need to be ready to put some effort in keeping it in good condition and free from mold. Water gets inside the pores, which causes mold to grow. You are not supposed to use any harsh acidic chemicals on it either which make it high maintenance. This means that you need to:
- Seal your tile every 3 months (no, you don't need to call a contractor! It is very easy to do, just buy a sealer and spray on the tile. Let it dry and voalya – READY!)
- Be prepared to squeegee every time you take a shower. It helps prevent water from sitting on the stone and creating more moisture while leaving minerals on the surface. It might also pick up some soap left and help prevent build up of soap scum.
- Clean on regular basis. All you need is a natural stone cleaner or a green homemade solution. Our personal choice is to call us and we will do all the work for you!
The other choice you have is man made stone such as ceramic, porcelain, caesarstone or quartz. It looks modern and it can save you some money. Non-natural tile doesn't require as much work. Also, having a glossy finish is better cleaning-wise then a matte finish. You can use either natural cleaning solutions (even mix of vinegar, soda, water and soap) or stronger cleaners – we recommend Scrubbing bubbles aerosol, it does a great job without much elbow grease. Clean your shower every two weeks to maintain it.
Here are some tips from Maids to Help regardless of material used in your restrooms:
- Don't forget to turn on the fan when (and shortly after) taking a shower.
- Don't shut the shower or bathtub door, leave it open to let the moisture out after use.
- Open windows from time to time and let the fresh air in.
- Rinse soap off the walls and floor in the shower or bathtub every time you use it.
And once again, we are here to help. Don't feel like you have to do it all. Leave some time for yourself, let our professional team take care of your home.
Thank you for reading, enjoy your day!