Top 4 Methods For Cleaning Pebble Shower Floor

Installing a pebble shower floor in your bathroom space is an incredible choice that is full of benefits. However, is it difficult to maintain? How easily can you clean pebble shower floors?

Here we are to share a few smart cleaning tips for pebble-designed showers!

What should you know about cleaning the pebble shower floors?

Let’s be honest, cleaning your shower pebbles is not the easiest task. These numerous small stones are prone to accumulate a lot of mess after each shower session, so the grout and the pebbles can quickly become dirty.

However, the cleaning job is still not as hard as you can expect. Always keep in mind that pebble floor maintenance requires certain care tips!

As a rule, pebble floors can be created either of natural stones or ceramic pebble tiles. It can be sealed or not, and fixed on epoxy or concrete grout.

However, despite all these factors, the care tips are almost the same for each of the flooring types.

The most common type of pebble flooring is the flat pebble tile. These are artificially designed pebble stone floors that consist of porcelain stone-like tiles. As you can guess from the name, flat pebble tile looks like flat natural stones built into your floor.

The river rock flooring consists of natural stones taken from the river area. The main feature of these stones is that they are different in color, shape, and size. Along with their unique appearance, they have a massaging texture that is beneficial for your feet.

The main point is to avoid using harsh chemicals on the pebble shower floors. Any acidic or abrasive cleaners are harmful to both natural stone flooring and ceramic pebbles.

After each shower session, be sure to wash away as much soap residue as possible. Besides, try to keep your shower area as dry as you can. After taking a shower, absorb excess moisture from the shower door, shower walls, and the flooring as well. The more moisture there is in your shower, the better condition it creates for mold and mildew, as well as many harmful bacteria and fungi.

Deep cleaning is an essential maintenance tip! Don’t ignore the weekly cleaning of your shower floor to keep it in tip-top condition.

For the best protection, cover your floor with a stone sealer that prevents the surfaces from etching, scratching, and cracking, as well as the excess dirt accumulation.

For keeping your floor clean, you can opt for either homemade cleaning solutions or professional cleaners that are intended for these types of flooring.

Now we are going to talk about each cleaning method in detail.

Steam cleaning tips

It’s always an awesome idea to get started with a simple and effective solution.

This method is quite simple and inexpensive if you have a handheld steam cleaner at home. This is a super-handy device that is suitable for cleaning natural stone shower floors, including both natural and artificial shower pebbles.

No harsh chemicals are used in this cleaning method! The device is filled with a pH-neutral cleaning agent that works rather by heat than by chemical reaction. Among multiple cleaning methods, this is one of the safest for your pebble rock flooring.

What do you need?

To clean shower pebbles using a steam cleaner, gather the items from the list below:

• Handheld steam cleaner
• Sponge
• Mop
• Warm water
• Baking soda

#1. Set the steam cleaner up

The first thing to do is to adjust the settings of your steam cleaner. The optimal way is to choose the low steam power so that you can’t destroy the stone surfaces with extreme heat.

#2. Divide the floor surface

To perform the cleaning process easier, you can divide the floor zone into a few sections in the mind’s eye.

Imagine that your pebble stone shower floor consists of multiple squares that you have to clean. This simple tip may seem quite weird, but it helps you to clean the floor more efficiently and evenly.

#3. Start steam cleaning pebble floors

Now, start cleaning pebble stones section by section. Hold a steam cleaner a little distance (a few inches) above the pebble shower floor so that you can see the soap scum and grim destruction by the steam stream.

Do not press the device to the pebble floor as the loosening effect won’t be proper.

#4. Proceed with mop cleaning

After the steam stream breaks the mess up, it will be much easier to clean it away from the pebble shower floor. The lifted grim is possible to get rid of with the help of a mop, warm water, and a soft sponge.

Take a mop to remove the messy residue and absorb the moisture with a sponge from your pebble shower floor.

#5. Polish the floors

This step is optional but still quite essential. Baking soda is a popular versatile household helper that is suitable for cleaning and polishing the pebble shower floors as well.

Prepare a thick paste of baking soda and clean water. Then, apply this paste evenly on the floor by using a clean microfiber cloth.

Leave the paste to work and dry completely for a few hours. After that, you can wash it away with a lot of warm water and a clean cloth. Get rid of the unnecessary moisture again with a sponge or a clean rug.

Vinegar cleaning method

For those who want to perform a safer method to clean pebble shower floors, this simple DIY cleaner is the best bet!

White vinegar is a well-known household helper.

Working as a versatile cleaning agent, it is also good for making a DIY cleaner for your shower pebbles. This homemade cleanser is an eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemicals and an awesome money-saver!

What do you need?

Make sure that you have all the ingredients and items from the list below:

• White vinegar
• Clean water
• Empty spray bottle
• Mop
• Scrubbing brush
• Sponge

#1. Prepare the cleaner

The first step is preparing your cleaning agent. It is insanely simple and quick, so let’s get started!

Dissolve white vinegar in clean warm water in a ratio of 1:16 tablespoons. Then, fill the spraying bottle with the cleaning solution and shake it a few times to mix thoroughly.

#2. Spray the cleaner over the pebble shower floor

Take a spray bottle and start working! Spray the vinegar cleanser all over the shower pebbles. Be sure to cover the whole surface, especially the most stubborn stains or hard dirt accumulations.

Don’t hesitate to apply more cleanser on the most affected areas of your pebble stone shower floor! Unlike harsh detergents, this cleaning agent is not harmful to natural stone floors.

Now, let the cleaner sit and work for about 10-15 minutes to loosen dirt accumulated on the floor.

#3. Scrape the dirt off

As soon as the dirty build-up on the pebble shower floor is softened, start to work with your hands!

The most suitable tool to clean pebble shower floor with no harm is using a soft-bristled brush. It is safe both for natural stone flooring and for the artificial pebble floor.

Take a scrubbing brush and start removing the softened dirt and soap scum from the pebble shower floor. Bring more effort to the dirt that accumulates between pebble stones.

#4. Wash the pebble stone floor

When most of the mess is scrubbed away, wash the pebble shower floor with clean water and a mop. Remove all the dirty residue to see the results and notice if any dirty areas are left. If you see any dirty patches or stains, repeat the scrubbing procedure.

As soon as you wash the pebble stone floor, absorb the excess water with a sponge. For this purpose, you can opt for a clean microfiber cloth instead.

Mild detergent

Since pebble stone shower floor is sensitive to harsh detergents, your best bet is using an opposite one! If your shower floor is made of natural pebble stones or pebble tiles, this is always an optimal way of cleaning them.

Generally, mild detergents are alkaline or pH-neutral, so they can’t destroy the pebble shower floor’s surface.

Working mildly and efficiently, they will make your pebble floors look as good as new.

This cleaning method is suitable both for natural stone shower floors and for artificial pebble tiles.

What do you need?

• Mild detergent
• Bucket of water
• Spray bottle
• Soft bristle brush
• Mop
• Sponge

#1. Make a cleaning mixture

Dilute 1/4 cup of mild detergent in the warm water, and thoroughly mix it.

As a variant, it is also okay to add just several tablespoons of the detergent in less amount of water, so that you can fill the spray bottle with this cleaning agent. This variant is more suitable for those who are going to clean smaller areas, or the pebble shower floor is not so dirty yet.

#2. Apply the cleaner on the pebble floor

Depending on the previous step, you can either spray the vinegar cleanser all over the pebble floor surface or take a mop to do this job. The main goal is to moisten all the dirty areas so that you can get rid of the dirt and debris accumulated on the pebble shower floor.

#3. Clean pebble shower floor

Now, you can simply clean pebble shower floors with a mop or a soft-bristled brush. Gently scrub the affected areas to get rid of all the dirt and soap scum accumulated on the pebble shower floor surfaces. It is okay to add some more cleaner to the most stubborn stains.

#4. Rinse and dry the pebble shower floor

As soon as you are done, wash all the pebble floors with a lot of clean warm water. This step can show you if there are still any dirty areas missing.

Then, wipe the excess moisture with a clean cloth or a sponge.

Specific stone cleaner

One more way to clean your pebble shower floor is to get a special stone cleaner. Since these cleaners are intended for cleaning natural stone shower floors, you can be sure they won’t destroy stone surfaces.

Besides, stone cleaners do their job efficiently and can remove the most stubborn stains.

The only drawback of a commercial cleaner is the price which can be a bit high. However, if you can afford it, that’s a really good choice! This solution is designed specifically for both natural stone shower floors and pebble tile shower floors.

What do you need?

Before you start, equip yourself with all the items from the list below:

• Stone cleaner
• Clean water
• Soft bristle brush
• Mop
• Sponge

#1. Apply the cleaner on the pebble shower floor

To get started, you don’t need any previous steps like dilution or pouring the cleaner into the bottle. All that you need is to apply it directly on the pebble shower floor. Don’t hesitate to cover the entire surface and add more cleaner on the most affected areas. Your main goal is to break down the accumulated dirt and get it out of the pebble shower floor.

When you are done, let the cleaner sit and work for a while until the accumulated mess is softened.

#2. Scrub the pebble shower floor

Like in the previous cleaning methods, you need to scrub the dirt away from the pebble floor.

Clean the shower floor with a soft brush to lift all the accumulated build-up from the surface. Scrub thoroughly to get rid of all the residue, especially from the hard-to-reach places.

#3. Wash the floor thoroughly

In this case, you have to wash the pebble floor especially well. Since any cleaner remaining on the stones can harm your skin, you have to wash the floor at least 3 times using a mop and a lot of clean warm water.

When you are done, dry completely all the stones with the help of a clean rug or a sponge.

FAQs

Read also our guide: How to Clean Sticky Floors

Final thoughts

Shower floor cleaning is not very difficult when you do everything regularly and correctly. Don’t forget to follow all the cleaning tips, and your pebble flooring will live a long life!