Pebble shower floors have gained significant popularity in recent years, and if you’ve added one to your shower, you’re far from alone. They look great and they feel wonderful under your feet, with the smooth rocks providing an experience like showering in nature. However, they probably aren’t the easiest floor type to clean.
You need to clean your shower floor on a regular basis, because if you don’t do this, you’ll end up with mold, mildew, and dirt building up in there. Nobody wants to step into a dirty shower – it defeats the object of showering in the first place. However, that might leave you wondering how you clean a stone shower floor.
Many people use heavily diluted white vinegar for cleaning their shower floors. The white vinegar will kill mold and bacteria in between the pebbles, without you needing to scrub out every little crevice. It will also loosen soap scum and limescale, which often build up in showers. You can also use detergent and a soft scrubbing brush for cleaning.
What Should You Use to Clean a Pebble Shower Floor?
White vinegar is probably the most popular cleaning solution for shower floors, especially pebble shower floors. However, it must be very diluted, or there is a risk that it will damage the stones. Many people recommend scrubbing the floor with a soft-bristled brush to loosen dirt and soap scum, which is also a good idea.
To use vinegar for cleaning, you should add it to a spray bottle with 16 parts water. This will dilute the acid sufficiently, reducing the risk of it damaging the stones when you spray it on. Never spray neat or mildly diluted vinegar on your shower floor; the acidity could ruin the stones.
Spray the floor evenly so that the stones are coated and wet, and then leave the solution to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. This will give the vinegar time to work on any limescale, and neutralize any germs in the shower, so don’t rush it.
When the time is up, take your soft-bristled brush and scrub the floor thoroughly, working the brush around all of the stones so that you get rid of any buildup and stuck dirt. The vinegar should help to tackle any stains, along with this gentle scrubbing, and your floor should soon be clean again.
Once you’ve finished scrubbing it, thoroughly rinse the floor with clean water, and then use a towel to dry it. Remember that water sitting against the stones will increase the risk of mildew, so you should always dry the floor after cleaning it.
Are Pebble Floors Easy to Clean?
Pebble floors are not considered particularly easy to clean, because the stones cause dips and crevices. Some stone floors are flatter and easier to clean than others, but on the whole, pebble floors are more work than other finishes. A plastic or even painted shower floor will be flat, and consequently much easier to clean.
Although cleaning is a chore, it’s important to clean your pebble floor thoroughly and regularly, because otherwise, you’ll soon get stains and mold ruining the grout – and you may have to redo the shower if that happens.
Can You Use a Steam Cleaner on a Pebble Shower Floor?
A steam cleaner might seem a tempting option, but you should be wary of using one on your pebble shower floor. There is a risk that the heat will damage the sealant that keeps the stones in place and protects them. It could also damage the stones themselves.
Steam cleaners are popular, but they need to be used in the right places, or they will do more harm than good. They may not damage your pebble floor, but they generally aren’t recommended for use on stone, so it’s best not to use yours on your pebble floor. Additionally, they may not get into gaps and crevices very effectively.
Can You Use a Vacuum Cleaner on a Pebble Shower Floor?
You shouldn’t use a vacuum cleaner on your pebble shower floor either. Vacuum cleaners are not intended for use in wet environments, and even if your shower is dry, your vacuum cleaner probably won’t prove a very effective cleaning tool. It may manage to pick up some dirt and hair, but it won’t tackle limescale or soap scum very well.
It’s therefore better to stick to the method described above, and not to use your vacuum cleaner for any aspect of cleaning your shower.
Can You Use Dish Detergent on a Pebble Shower Floor?
If you don’t have access to white vinegar, you might be wondering whether dish detergent is suitable for cleaning a pebble shower floor. Dish detergent should be fine, especially when mixed with water, but you should be aware that it isn’t a very effective cleaner in many cases, even though it cleans dishes well.
The reason for this is that the dirt in your shower is mostly going to be alkaline. It is the result of soap (alkaline) and minerals from the water getting left behind when the water has dried up. These minerals are also alkaline.
Adding another alkaline in the form of dish soap will not do much to loosen and address this buildup, because no reaction will be taking place. That means you’re going to be depending almost entirely on the scrubbing power of your arm, and this puts you at more risk of scratching the sealant and stones.
On the whole, therefore, it’s better to use a mild acid to loosen the dirt if you can. If you don’t have white vinegar, consider using some diluted lemon juice, which should have the same effect on the soapy residue and the limescale.
Final Thoughts
The best way to clean a pebble shower floor is to spritz the floor with diluted white vinegar and leave it to sit for a while, and then scrub it gently with a soft brush. You should avoid using harsh chemicals, steam mops, or a vacuum cleaner on a pebble shower floor, as these could damage the floor.
