8 Steps On How To Clean Your Walk In Steam Shower

by Mareen Naqvi June 21, 2021

It is imperative to ensure that every section of your home is clean. But some parts of the house need special attention. If you have a steam shower at home, cleaning and maintenance are a big deal. Leaving your steam shower unclean will cause more harm than good. Besides the fact that you won't get the full benefits, you are also prone to infections.

Cleaning a steam shower might seem a hassle if you don't know the accurate steps to follow. It will astound you to know how unchallenging it is to clean this facility. This guide provides details on the cleaning process of a steam shower. It also contains the method of mold removal and steam shower generator cleaning. Let's get started!

Essential Steps To Clean Your Walk-in Steam Shower

Several things can contaminate your steam shower. The dirt is beyond the physical pollutants and litter. Other microorganisms, particularly mold, bacteria, and germs, are also involved.

Removing these pollutants might seem a hassle. You can't see these contaminants with your naked eyes. But it doesn't signify that you cannot remove them completely. The steps below will help you remove all dirt and pollutants in a steam shower;

STEP 1: Prepare the Shower for the Cleaning Process

Preparing the shower for the cleaning process includes the removal of all accessories. Remove detachable parts and ensure proper ventilation. Open the window, door, and switch on the fan.

STEP 2: Gather the Parts

You are not excluding the detachable parts from the cleaning process. Put the supplies together and place them where you will clean them.

STEP 3: Clean out the Drain

The drain in a steam shower often holds back dirt during your sessions. The filth tends to clog the drain over time. So, it ought to be one of your prime focuses during cleaning.

Use suitable methods to get out the clogs. You can scrub with your hands if they are small enough to go in. There are some suitable tools and materials that can help you too. Ensure the proper cleansing of your shower drain before moving to other steps.

STEP 4: Take Care of the Walls

The walls are vital when cleaning a walk-in shower. You might need to use certain techniques to ensure proper sanitation of the walls. Break the dirt or grime by adding water and abandon it for roughly 10 minutes.

You will need a cleaning agent to ensure the wall's proper cleanliness and enhance disinfection. The best option for a steam shower is a homemade cleaner. The major homemade disinfectant for this purpose is vinegar and hot water.

The cleaner solution is suitable because vinegar is gentle on shower wall materials. It will ensure the cleanliness and safety of tiles, fiberglass, and ceramics. But it is not suitable for marble.

Apply the vinegar solution to the wall and wash it off with hot water. The water makes it easy to clean by breaking up the dirt. Also, you will need a soft sponge to make easy scrubs. Use a sponge on the walls until you remove all obvious dirt. Rinse off with water after ensuring it is clean enough.

STEP 5: Clean the Floor

Once you finish washing the walls, move on to cleaning the floor. It is best to use your natural homemade vinegar cleaner. The floor of steam showers mostly uses tiles. Apply the homemade cleanser to the floor and scrub gently. Use a scrubber or a soft-bristle brush for your scrubbing to ensure effectiveness.

Some areas of steam shower floors have stains or saturation. You might need special cleaning agents like baking soda. Add the baking soda to these areas and allow it to remain for nearly 10 minutes.

Scrub it gently until you can remove all dirt and stains. Consider getting special cleaning brushes to make the process easier for you. Remember to wash off and give attention to areas with dirt or grime compounds.

Rinse off the floor once it is clean enough. You can do the final rinsing more than once. Don't hesitate to rewash and rinse any area you miss a dirty spot.

STEP 6: Clean the Doors and Windows

Many people often make the mistake of overlooking their doors and windows while cleaning their showers. Your door(s) can be as dirty as other wall surfaces in your walk-in steam shower. So, ensure proper cleanliness.

Most shower doors use similar materials as the shower walls. So, you can utilize your homemade vinegar cleanser. Start by cleaning, rinsing the shower door and window with water. Leave the water on the exterior for about 10 minutes to break dirt.

Coat the door with these homemade vinegar cleansers and scrub gently. It is best to clean the surface with a wiper or moist cloth. Wash gently and ensure to remove all visible dirt.

Rinse the door and wipe it with a microfiber cloth. Next, use another clean cloth to wipe the door for a cleaner surface.

STEP 7: Wash Bathroom Accessories

Most steam showers have accessories like curtains, foot mats, and liners. Wash these accessories until you are sure of their cleanliness. Use detergents or similar cleaning agents to wash the accessories.

A washing machine should help wash the curtains and linens (except in unspecified cases). It is most helpful to clean the materials with warm water. Consider washing the towel alongside other shower wear.

STEP 8: Clean Other Parts and Supplies

Remember that you removed certain parts and supplies of the shower at the start of this process. Now is the time to clean them. You can't clean them simultaneously, so pick them one after the next.

The cleaning process and style depend on each cleaning demand. If you have clogs in the showerheads, you would need to remove them. All you need is a sandwich bag, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and two tablespoons (tsp) of baking soda.

Mix these ingredients in a container and add hot water. Submerge the showerhead and let it stand for many hours (preferably overnight). Replace the hot water and blow out the clog.

This cleaning process is routine. So, consider repeating this process at least twice a month. But note that this cleaning type differs from your yearly or quarterly maintenance.

During the annual or quarterly inspection, you need to check all parts. It includes inspecting the installations, valves, pipes, and joints. You will also figure out and replace any damaged parts.

How Do You Get Rid of Mold In The Shower

Mold is one of the principal contaminants in a steam shower. Besides the fact that it signifies dirt, it also harms health. So, it is best to remove mold once you find them growing in your bathroom.

There are two principal ways to get rid of mold in the steam shower. The first way is using an industrial anti-mold spray. These sprays are quite easy to use, and they get rid of mold with immediate effect.

Once you apply the spray on the targeted areas, it kills mold, algae, moss, and fungi. You should leave it on the target surface for a while and ensure that you follow all manufacturers' instructions. Avoid spraying in confinement or inhaling the spray.

Another way to get rid of mold is by using the traditional method. The options include manual cleaning and removal of mold. Start this process by creating the cleaning materials.

Create homemade bleach with vinegar and baking soda. If you cannot make homemade bleach, you can buy it on sale. Apply the cleaning mixture to the targeted surface and leave it for approximately 15-20 minutes.

After application, follow the steps below to get rid of mold;

STEP 1: Start cleaning with damp cloths and remove molds that are easy to expel.

STEP 2: Use a sponge and soft bristle brushes to remove molds that are slightly difficult to eliminate.

STEP 3: Repeat the process as often as you need to remove the mold.

STEP 4: Rinse off with clean water and wipe again with a damp cloth.

Regardless of the way you intend to remove mold, there are certain precautions you must put in place. Some of these precautions include:

Protect your hands with nonporous gloves.
Wear a mask and respirator to protect yourself from dangerous fumes.
Protect your eyes with glasses or protective goggles.
Open the window and door for proper ventilation after using the spray or cleanser.
Avoid combining ammonia with basic household cleaners like bleach.
Follow manufacturer’s precautions and guidelines for application.

How to Prevent Mold

Mold is prevalent in steam showers due to its moisture and warmth. Although you can get rid of mold as they grow, it is best to prevent them from existing at all. Below are effective ways of preventing mold from growing in your steam shower;

Clean your bathroom regularly with cleaners that can kill mold.
Ensure proper ventilation in your bathroom and shower. Use fans and sometimes leave the doors or windows of your shower opened.
Ensure that the humidity in your bathroom does not go beyond 60%. It is most suitable to keep it under 40%. Think through using a dehumidifier if need be for it.
Fix and prevent leaks in your bathroom.
Consider adding anti-mold chemicals to your paints.
Do not use porous materials for your steam shower floors and walls.

How Do You Clean A Steam Shower Generator?

A steam shower generator is the facility's most functional part. A steam shower will not function properly without a generator. So, while you are paying attention to your steam shower unit, the generator is also essential.

There are several ways to clean your steam shower generator, but we will go through the most common method. Remember that the generator is a mechanical device, so you need to take further caution. Here are effective guides to clean your shower generator;

Loosen the bolts to let you access the internal part of the generator.
Clean all external parts with a soft dry cloth.
Remove soot and other dirt in the generator.
Check the oil level and replace it if necessary.
Lubricate all moving parts and tighten bolts and nuts.

When carrying out this process, make sure water doesn’t penetrate the generator’s sensitive part. If you need to make a special change or clean the machine intensely, consider seeking a professional service.

How to Clean a Steam Shower Head

The steam shower head is one of the most sensitive parts. It can get clogged easily due to the regular passage of water. It can also accumulate mold and limescale. So, ensure that you are not neglecting your showerheads during cleaning.

Follow the basic steps below to ensure your steam shower's proper cleanliness;

STEP 1: Separate the showerhead from the hose. You might have to unscrew it to remove it with ease.

STEP 2: Gain more access to the showerhead by unscrewing the cover. Pay attention to the dismantling process to help you couple it when done.

STEP 3: Soak the head in a mixture of a homemade cleaner of vinegar and hot water. Leave it in the solution for 15 minutes to break limescale and dirt.

STEP 4: Scrub the shower head until it becomes clear. Use a worn-out toothbrush or a different brush to clear unyielding dirt.

STEP 5: Repeat step 4 until the showerhead becomes clean enough. wipe with a soft, damp cloth.

STEP 6: Couple the showerhead and fix it back to the hose.

Conclusion

A steam shower is a valuable asset to any home. Besides its health benefits, it also improves the quality of the home. But a steam shower works well when you keep it clean. It will ensure your safety and protect you from possible infections. It will also prevent contaminants from spreading to other parts of the home.

Luxury walk-in steam showers are easy to clean when you know the right steps. The maintenance starts immediately after fitting it into your home. The steam shower price installation does not mean you won't have to clean it. Getting the best steam shower is great, but ensuring its cleanliness at all times makes it worth it.