How to Clean a Marble Shower

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska

Last Updated: October 30, 2022 References

A marble shower is an elegant and chic addition to anyone's bathroom. Unfortunately, there are also drawbacks with marble, especially when you have to clean it. Marble is a porous rock that tends to absorb chemicals and dyes that are found in traditional cleaners. For this reason, many different things can end up ruining your shower's sleek finish. Luckily, if you use the right techniques and limit the chemicals you use when you clean, you can have a shiny marble shower that's free of stains and dirt.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Performing a Quick Cleaning

1
Wipe down your shower after each use. It's important that you wipe it clean after every use because the chemicals found in your soap may hurt the marble. Use a dry cotton rag or dishcloth to wipe the moisture from the walls and basin of your shower after you use it.

EXPERT TIP

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner
Ashley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.

Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

Get your shower walls completely dry. Ashley Matuska of Dashing Maids says: "If you just dry your shower walls every day after you use it with a squeegee or a couple of microfiber towels, you will almost completely eliminate the need to have to clean your shower. It's that leftover water that creates soap scum. If you're not doing that, you'll need to clean your shower about once a week to keep mildew and mold away."
2
Fill a spray bottle with warm water a tbsp (14.7 ml) of mild dish soap. Use regular warm water to fill a spray bottle and add a tbsp (14.7 ml) of non-abrasive, pH-neutral, dish soap into the bottle. Select an undyed dish soap that does not contain any abrasives like sand or stone, and that doesn't contain any acids like citrus, lemon, or vinegar.^{[1]
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- It will say pH-neutral on the label of your dish soap.
- Conventional cleaners may contain acids that can damage the surface of your shower.^{[2]
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- There are specially made marble cleaners that you can purchase at department stores or online.
- Popular commercial marble sprays include Black Diamond, Simple Green, and Zep Marble Cleaner.
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3
Spray the solution onto your shower and rub it in with a damp cloth. Coat the walls and basin of your shower with the solution and rub the solution in a small circular motion. Continue to work around your shower in small circles, concentrating on any built up mildew or dirt.^{[3]
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4
Rinse the shower. Use a showerhead or a bucket of water to rinse the entirety of the shower down, including the walls. It's important that you remove any leftover soap or it may sink into the marble and create stains later.
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Dry the shower. Use an absorbent rag or squeegee to dry off your shower completely. You should dry down your shower after every use, but doing a more extensive cleaning with a mild dish soap and water two to three times a week should keep the marble looking clean and fresh.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Deep Stains

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Mix 1 part baking soda with three parts water. Combine the baking soda with the water in a small bowl or cup. Continue to mix it together until the baking soda absorbs the water and forms a paste.
- If your paste is too thick, add more water to it.
- If the paste is too runny, add more baking soda.
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Apply the paste to the stains. Wear gloves and use your hands to smear a good portion of the paste over the stains on your shower. Target any discoloration or built up mildew that you weren't able to remove from a basic cleaning.^{[4]
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Cover the paste with plastic wrap. Tape the ends of the plastic wrap so it stays in place. Don't cover all the edges in tape so that the marble can breathe.^{[5]
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Let the paste sit on your shower for 24 hours. The paste will dry and absorb the stain under it. When the paste is ready, it should be dry and hard.^{[6]
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- Remind people in the house that you are doing a deep cleaning and that they won't be able to use the shower.
5
Rinse and wipe down the baking soda. Remove the baking soda paste from your shower by rinsing down your shower and wiping the stained areas with a rag. If you notice that the stain is still visible, repeat the steps until it is fully removed.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sealing Your Marble Shower

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Test to see if your shower needs to be sealed. Unless you have a white marble shower, you should not seal your shower.^{[8]
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Research source} You should also not seal your shower if there is already an existing seal on it. Test to see if there is sealer by putting a couple of drops of water onto the surface of the shower and allowing the water to dry for ten minutes. If the area is dark, it means that your marble has absorbed the water and most likely needs to be sealed again. If the sealer has pooled on top of your marble, it means that it's already sealed.
- If your shower is already sealed, there's no reason to do it again, and it can actually be detrimental to your marble.
2
Dust and clean the inside of your shower with a damp rag. The first step before you seal your shower is to make sure that all the dust and dirt that may be built up is removed before you seal it in. Wipe down your shower with a damp rag and water, then dry it with a clean rag. Make sure that your shower is dry and free of dirt before you start sealing.
3
Spray down your shower with the sealer and wipe it in. Spray down your shower with the sealer and use a sponge or a rag to wipe the sealer in. Work your way from the top of the shower to the bottom of the shower and try to apply even coats throughout it.^{[9]
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- Some popular brands of marble sealer include DuPont Stone Sealer and Miracle Sealants.
- It's important that you get a stone sealer made for a stone like marble.
4
Allow the sealer to soak for 15 minutes. During this period the sealer will be absorbed by the marble. You should start to see the marble turn a darker color as it absorbs the sealer.
5
Wipe off excess sealer on the surface of your shower. Use a dry absorbent cloth to remove any excess sealer that pools on the top of your shower. Any excess sealer that's pooled on the surface of your marble or that has not been absorbed must be removed for the health and appearance of your marble, as leftover sealer can stain it.
6
Allow the sealer to set for 24 hours. Let the sealer fully absorb and dry into your marble before trying to use your shower again. You should seal your marble bathtub once every six months.
- Let everyone in your house know that using the shower before the sealer dries could damage your marble.