How to Clean Cultured Marble in a Shower

Cultured marble resists most stains.

Cultured marble is made by mixing ground marble dust with liquid polyester resin. Unlike natural marble, which is porous, cultured marble resists stains, making it ideal for use in wet environments such as the bathroom. To prevent mineral deposits on cultured marble, use a squeegee or soft towel to dry the marble after each shower. When cleaning cultured marble, avoid abrasive cleaners, pads or steel wool, which can easily scratch the surface. There are several ways to clean cultured marble, depending on how bad the stains are, so your shower will look as good as new.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• White vinegar
• Sponge
• Calcium stain remover
• Turpentine, paint thinner or denatured alcohol
• Soft rag
• All-purpose, nonabrasive liquid cleaner
• Wax

Instructions

1. Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the marble until it is wet. Allow the vinegar to remain for 45 minutes. Wipe the vinegar from the marble with a clean, wet sponge. If the spots remain, repeat the process.

2. Wipe on a calcium stain remover to get rid of hard water spots or mineral deposits. Apply the product first to a small, inconspicuous area to make sure it won't harm the cultured marble's finish. Let the stain remover sit according to the manufacturer's instructions, then wipe it off with a wet sponge.

3. Dip a soft rag in turpentine, paint thinner or denatured alcohol and rub lightly to remove tougher stains. Again, test the product on an inconspicuous area and don't allow the product to touch any plastic in the shower, such as on handles. Clean the area with water and a nonabrasive, all-purpose liquid cleaner.

4. Restore the marble's shine by using an all-purpose liquid cleaner, rinsing and rubbing on a coat of car or countertop wax. Buff the wax out with a soft cloth according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Tips & Warnings

• Never clean cultured marble when it is dry, or it will scratch. Wet the shower walls before you get started cleaning.

References

• Ask the Builder: Cultured Marble
• International Cast Polymer Alliance: Care and Maintenance Tips
• Kitchen Cabinets and Hardware: Cleaning Cultured Marble
• "Consumer Reports' How To Clean Practically Anything;" Kevin McKean; 2006