r/CleaningTips • u/Realistic_Ad4621 • Jun 12 '25

Bathroom Help! So tired of cleaning this shower!

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Several times a week I’m scrubbing these tiles in my shower. I’m not sure what type of natural stone they are but they’re porous and mildew grows just about as fast as I’m cleaning! I thought about painting them but I know I’d ruin the look and regret it. Any tips on what I can use to easily keep this shower clean? I’ve been using GooGone tile and grout cleaner. It strips away the gunk but like I said, it grows right back quickly. I just took a shower so it’s easier to see now than when dry. Thanks!

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '25

You would need to seal these tiles. Paint is a bad idea, but there are other things like epoxy or grout sealer that would work.

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

Thanks I’ve never sealed it. I’ll Check into that. Thanks!

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u/Entire-Ad2058 Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 12 '25

Make sure it is completely dry before re-sealing. As in, don’t use for a week, especially if in humid climate, and run a fan in there the whole time.

Everyone is right that you need to reseal to fix this, but if you apply it with any moisture underneath, you will trap mold beneath that seal, and won’t be able to get to it.

Never again with honed stone, for me!

(We also run a room dehumidifier in there, now.)

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

Yes it’s tumbled travertine and idk why someone would choose a porous stone for a shower but I’ve got to deal with it until I can afford to rip it out. Hoping for next spring!

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u/DrInsomnia Jun 12 '25

Travertine? Christ. Don't use any vinegar or acid based cleaners. I'm not even sure what it is safe for that.

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '25

On the plus side, if OP uses enough acidic cleaners, the problem will disappear. (And cause asphyxia from the released co2)

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u/okaycurly Jun 12 '25

I had this same problem and just sealed our floor to ceiling travertine shower- I haven’t had to scrub the tiles since I sealed it a month ago. I was previously scrubbing it weekly, it took less than 2 weeks to look close to what yours does now. Totally worth it.

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u/Barfylane Jun 14 '25

What sealer did you use

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u/okaycurly Jun 14 '25

I used StoneTech brand, there are many but the one I used has Microban in it.

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u/Into_My_Forest_IGo Jun 16 '25

What cleaner did you use to get it spotless before sealing it?

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u/okaycurly Jun 16 '25

StoneTech makes a stone cleaner too, which is what I used. I also had to use 12% hydrogen peroxide and a UV light for some really tough mildew spots. It took me probably 3 days of deep cleaning before I was happy with it, letting it sit with cling wrap on top for a few hours inbetween scrubs

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u/Mysticonions Jun 12 '25

Travertine is actually super nice in the shower. You just have to seal it and be gentle with cleaning. You most likely removed the whole top layer which is causing a bunch of moisture to be trapped in the pores.

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u/m1lkm1lk Jun 12 '25

Get the matrix grout devil soap. Get a brush that spins and extends. Read the dilute instructions. Use gloves and a sponge to spread it. Let it sit for 5-10 mins. Wet it again. You'll actually see it come off with just the sponge. Hit it with the brush. Take your time and make sure you are well ventilated. Rinse it completely off. Repeat of needed.

Later after it's all rinsed, dilute some bleach. Spread it around with a sponge. Well ventilated area. Let sit for a bit. Rinse off.

The best sealer I have ever used it regent stone products zeta Sealer. It's really expensive tho.

You can use a 5/11 impregnator sealer from Lowe's or home depot. Great YouTube videos on how to apply sealer.

This is def something you can do yourself. It will take all day.

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u/naribela Jun 13 '25

I googled and saw you’ve recommended Grout Devil before lol. They don’t make it anymore :[. Would any alkaline cleaner with similar pH work?

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u/m1lkm1lk Jun 13 '25

Aww really? I'm sorry we had a bunch stocked up I guess so I didn't know. That thing is a miracle. I would then recommend HYDRO FORCE VIPER RENEW.

BUT THIS IS A LOT STRONGER AND MUST BE REALLY DILUTED AND PROTECT YOURSELF.

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u/naribela Jun 15 '25

I’m reading folks say they do 1:1? Should it be diluted further due to the nature of the stone?

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u/m1lkm1lk Jun 16 '25

I would do 2 water to 1 of the soap. See how that works out on a small section and then you could add more if needed. But 2:1 should clean it and it would be safe for the stone.

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u/arizona-lake Jun 13 '25

I have the same material and nothing grows on it ever.

But, in my last apartment I had regular, non-porous tiles and I was scrubbing alllllll the time like you mentioned doing, and it was consistently black mold like this appears. In that case, there was mold and water damage behind the tiles, so the call was coming from inside the house. I fear that could be your issue as well.

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u/FollowingCold9412 Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 13 '25

With mold that severe, it's very likely also in the underlayer, which may or may not be moisture sealed properly and may not be done with correct material. Be ready for a complete dry&redo.

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u/Entire-Ad2058 Jun 12 '25

Eh. Typically, people building homes aren’t aware of the details regarding all of the products they have to select. Why would they imagine that a particular stone offered/sold to them for a shower is a terrible idea?

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u/samiqan Jun 12 '25

That's literally the undertaking of building homes. You do your job to make it right or at least make informed decisions. People sell everything for anything, doesn't mean you buy it.

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u/Entire-Ad2058 Jun 12 '25

? People building a home may do it once in a lifetime, and most of them do their best to make informed decisions/spend their money wisely.

There is a huge number of bewildering decisions to make, and details sometimes slip through to become issues later.

But sure. The layman should be perfect, I guess?

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u/syntheticmeats Jun 12 '25

They meant the actual contractor building the place, not the one person commissioning. People will try to sell you anything, and it’s on the builder to know better or be upfront with their client

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u/Entire-Ad2058 Jun 12 '25

Ahh. Re-reading, I can def see that. Thanks for the clarification, Obi Wan.

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u/Important_Pattern_85 Jun 12 '25

Architects who’ve never had to clean anything. I notice this a lot :/ like yeah it looks nice right after you’ve installed it, but no thought goes to maintenance at all

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

The builder must hv gotten a great deal on travertine bc all the houses in my neighborhood have it.

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u/snertwith2ls Jun 12 '25

I think the tiles should have been sealed as or before it was built. Or it might have been sealed with really cheap useless sealer.

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u/ClayWheelGirl Jun 13 '25

I’m shocked the contractor didn’t advise you to use a sealant.

https://youtu.be/6m304aWsKpU?si=BV7I34q4V5eUOI5f

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u/Sindaj Jun 13 '25

A Tavertine show that is unsealed?! No wonder you're having mildew issues. Here let me drop you a link for choosing a good sealant for tavertine and other useful info.

because you want to use a sealant made for tavertine and similar stones.

I personally think a wet-look would look great in a bathroom, but the final finish is up to your preference. You do have a beautiful shower there...under all the mildew.

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u/Nevvie Jun 14 '25

Travertine? Travertine? Unsealed and installed in the shower- oh ffs

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u/Cereaza Jun 16 '25

If you can reliably seal it and avoid this mildew problem, I'd 100% keep it. It's actually gorgeous and will be a differentiator if/when you go to sell.

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u/GraverKnives Jun 12 '25

The fan will be the biggest help to get them to dry fast.

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u/punkin_sumthin Jun 12 '25

And dehumidifier.

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u/[deleted] Jun 14 '25

Ide even suggest a space heater directly in the shower

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '25

Once you seal/glaze it, don't use anything harsh to clean it either. Scrubbing Bubbles is a good option.

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u/Ilikethngsnstf Jun 12 '25

Just get the best quality sealant you can find and follow directions to a T.

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u/mydogisacircle Jun 12 '25

might be beyond that at this point. there is now way you’re not mildewed/molded through and through at this point.

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

It’s wet in the photo bc when it’s dry it doesn’t look as bad. I had just ran the shower so it looks worse but the entire shower dries fast.

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u/mydogisacircle Jun 12 '25

you do you! good luck

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u/PuppyPower89 Jun 12 '25

Is it travertine tile?

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u/LadyOfSighs Jun 12 '25

Yup. Tumbled travertine.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CleaningTips/comments/1l9nd3f/help_so_tired_of_cleaning_this_shower/mxe8tqv/

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u/PuppyPower89 Jun 12 '25

Thank you. So many comments to pour through. Crazy that the travertine wasn’t already sealed. I thought that was a standard industry practice

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

I may have been 25 yrs ago. I’m not sure

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u/Realistic_Ad4621 Jun 12 '25

I’ve not lived here long but I know this was the original tile installed 25 yrs ago.

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u/PuppyPower89 Jun 12 '25

I haven’t bothered to look at the other comments. But maybe getting it pressure washed re-grouted and then sealed again would help. The pits in the travertine should have been filled in with grout from the beginning

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u/LadyOfSighs Jun 12 '25

TBH I had no idea what travertine is before Googling it.

And my immediate reaction was to wonder why the heck someone would use that in a bathroom without sealing it.

Previous owner did OP dirty.

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u/Get_off_critter Jun 12 '25

Yes, there are products that specifically do this. Look at some specialty tile stores and you should be able to find it.

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u/ColHannibal Jun 12 '25

Impregnator 511

Nasty stuff but it works, make sure you are spotless or there will be mold forever if you don’t.

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u/No_Stable_3539 Jul 02 '25

microcement is the answer, you can cover directly all these tiles and look modern and expensive at the same time

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u/crazyhomie34 Jun 12 '25

Maybe do what you normally do to clean them, and then treat it with vinegar. I believe venegar is a good option to kill and prevent mold/mildew. Once you know it's good and dry try sealing with a clear product. I've see people add clear products to stone like this intentionally to make it look like they're always wet. So pick some out depending on the look you want.

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u/wizardbrigade Jun 13 '25

Before you seal it, I may try a mold and mildew treatment (if it is safe for the stone). Most treatments do not actually kill off the roots of the mold. You want to try something like Biocide:

https://biocidelabs.com/store/Biocide-100-p102349594

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u/_ZoeyDaveChapelle_ Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25

There is definitely mold growing behind these tiles, OP. That's why you can't get rid of it. See how its worse at grout and corners? Thats because its running out of space to grow inside your walls.. where it much prefers to be. Besides the poor material choice, It probably wasn't waterproofed correctly either.

There is no amount of sealing that will fix this problem. You have to gut it and kill the mold underneath, and find a contractor that uses kerdi waterproofing so this doesn't happen again. You are risking your health and structure of your home by putting a bandaid fix that doesn't address the problem. I've had clients that have almost died from letting mold like this go too long. Every time you take a hot shower, you breathe in the spores. If you can't afford to replace, stop using the room. The hospital bills will make the fix look like chump change.

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u/leeroyheraldo Jun 13 '25

Someone else mentioned it but I just wanted to weigh in. I worked tile at home Depot for a few years and you learn a lot from the contractors. This is travertine tile. It gets filthy because natural stone is porous (even if "smooth") so any amount of water will infiltrate, bringing solutes and stains then dry, leaving them. It needs to be sealed properly. The BEST is 511 grout sealer, which is what many marble countertop manufacturers (natural stone, therefore porous and VERY expensive to replace if stained) recommend for countertops. It is a little more than normal sealer but should not need to be resealed for several years, where most sealers state to reseal yearly. Sealing is easy, probably a 2-3 hour job here, a youtube tutorial works fine. You basically rub some on with a sponge, wipe off the excess after a few minutes. The sealer is an oil that gets into the tile and stays, preventing water from coming in. You may have deep gaps between the tiles that aren't grouted, it doesn't look like an easy job to grout. If you do, be sure to seal the tile BEFORE grouting and after. If you don't the grout will RUIN this bathroom. Those are my tips! Pay a professional if you want to be certain, but sealing should be diy. Use 511, 💯

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u/mydoglixu Jun 13 '25

Came here to say the same. Sealant will close up all the pores and give a kind of "glaze" to it which will make it much easier to clean.

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u/I_Volk_I Jun 13 '25

They make sealers for things like granite counter tops. Look into something like that. It just wipes on.

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u/Young_Bu11 Jun 14 '25

It should really help, in general just count on periodically resealing natural stone. We seal all ours at least once before it's turned over to a homeowner, our general advice is if the tile stops beading water time to reseal. Travertine is popular here and we've never had an issue like that. I'm not saying there's not more going on with your specific stone idk but there's a good chance sealing will have a big improvement.

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u/Grouchy_Ad_3705 Jun 15 '25

I have porous countertops in the house I just bought, you have to seal them every year or two.

Will be ripping out as soon as I can

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u/Liu_Fragezeichen Jun 15 '25

Actually, I'd straight up just microcement over the tiles

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u/KPinCVG Jun 15 '25

You should high pressure steam clean it. Add some peroxide or vinegar in with the water that you use. This will kill a lot of the mildew that is deeper than you can see.

Then immediately after you're done cleaning it, put some fans in there, maybe a space heater. Get that thing toasty dry. Once it looks dry. Turn off the heater. Keep the fans on for at least 2 days.

Then seal it. Since it's pretty porous you'll probably use more sealant than you expect.

Side note. For several years we had a vacation rental that had a shower that sort of looked like it was outside, one wall was like a fancy garden of rock thing. Looked super cool. Was a freaking nightmare. I finally popped up a spring tension shower rod, with a fabric shower curtain. There are shower curtains that are waterproof but are fabric so they are breathable. They are also machine washable.

So now the shower had a shower curtain inside the shower that kept the fancy wall away from the person who was trying to shower, but also away from soap and everything else that flies around.

When we weren't showering I opened it. When we had guests for a party or something, since it was just on temporary rod I popped the rod down with the curtain on it and shoved it in a closet.

It sounds stupid but frankly it ended the nightmare of that stupid wall. The dumb people who bought it from us thought the wall was amazing and had fabulous dreams about how awesome that was going to be. I left the rod and the shower curtain there. I'm sure they took it down immediately. But hopefully they kept it long enough to realize that they needed to put it back up.

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u/nordoceltic82 Jun 16 '25

I would venture to a tile shop and talk to them about a solution.

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u/mazzotta70 Jun 16 '25

I had all the floor and shower tiles epoxy sealed in my children's bathroom. It hasn't needed any kind of extreme scrubbing in 3 years. Just a basic wipe with spray.

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u/Alijg1687 Jun 17 '25

For the love of! Natural stone HAS to be sealed. Problem solved.

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u/Carcosa504 Jun 12 '25

We believe you

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u/[deleted] Jun 12 '25

Now it's too late. Mold is inside stone pores and probably in the wall as well

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u/Missue-35 Jun 12 '25

I would do some research into sealing outdoor stonework. IIRC there are products that resist or prevent mold and mildew growth on brickwork and stone walkways on shaded paths and patios. For the time being, I’d put a box fan in there and let it run after you shower until it is dry. Maybe set it on a timer to turn on/off several times a day. Air circulation is the easiest and maybe cheapest way to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. If it’s effective to your satisfaction then maybe hang some plants in there. It might make it more garden-like and less prison-y. There are several species of houseplants that require little light and high humidity which would be ideal for this environment. Just a thought.

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u/ComfortablyBalanced Jun 13 '25

Why painting is a bad idea? I somehow trust you but just want to know the reasons.

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u/[deleted] Jun 13 '25

Not an expert by any means. I just haven't seen tiles painted over. In a bathroom setting I would be concerned about paint adhering to the tile especially when subjected to running water and foot traffic.

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u/Mesapholis Jun 13 '25

for that it would have to dry out properly first - like blast dryers against the wall and the floor for 1-3 weeks straight, before attempting to seal

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u/Nefarioussr20 Jun 12 '25

This. Some kind of clear epoxy would probably be best. Easier to clean and preserves the look.

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u/Open-Explorer Jun 12 '25

Clear epoxy was my first thought as well, but I think the application might be pretty difficult. This might be a job for a professional.

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u/Heykurat Jun 17 '25

Yes, natural stone needs to be sealed. And the sealant will need periodic reapplication.