Cleaning the bathroom can be tedious and labor-intensive, but low-maintenance shower walls can ease your burden while adding some design flair. Some of the problems with typical bathroom wall cleaning include scrubbing constantly stained grout lines, soap scum, and hard water stains.
Highly porous surfaces and grout joints make it easy for grime, dirt, bacteria, and even mold to become trapped, making deeper and more regular cleaning necessary. Luckily, more advanced low-maintenance options like ceramic and porcelain can reduce your bathroom cleaning time.
This article will cover why more Americans may prefer these easy-to-clean shower surfaces, the materials they may consist of, and how they can save you time and energy by avoiding endless scrubbing.
What Does Low Maintenance Mean for Shower Walls?
A low-maintenance shower wall should have a non-porous surface. It may also be mostly or completely seamless. As a result, the wall can better resist water absorption, staining, and built-up soap scum even after several showers.
When it comes to cleaning, you shouldn't have to use harsh chemicals, as a simple mix of mild soap and water should do the trick. You also shouldn't have to do heavy scrubbing, as a light wipe down or squeegee should work.
How Can Low-Maintenance Shower Walls Benefit Me?
Cleaning normal shower walls can involve extra effort and strain due to:
- Excessive reaching, bending, and scrubbing
- Extreme bathroom details
- Lack of proper tools
- Stubborn buildup
A 2022 survey from House Digest suggests that as many as 30% of respondents hate cleaning the bathroom the most. Reasons cited include the griminess, scrubbing, and an entire day of cleaning in homes with several bathrooms.
However, investing in more low-maintenance shower walls can create the effortless bathroom cleaning most Americans desire.
Health Impact
A healthy home is a home that's free of mold and mildew. However, U.S. News cited a 2022 report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that concluded 47% of all American homes have some mold or dampness.
Since the bathroom is the wettest room in the house, it's often a breeding ground for the slimy substance. However, with low-maintenance shower walls that are faster to clean and dry, you'll reduce the likelihood of mold growth and the allergy triggers from airborne spores.
Budget Savings
By installing more durable, scratch-resistant shower wall materials, you can reduce the likelihood of repairs or premature replacements. Plus, if your bathroom isn't breeding mold, you're less likely to have health issues that can hurt your home budget with the need for allergy medicine, other treatments, or even hospital stays costing hundreds or thousands, according to Immunolytics.
What Are Some Durable Shower Wall Materials?
A low-maintenance modern shower design may include durable non-porous materials made from clay or synthetic materials.
Popular options include:
- Porcelain
- Ceramic
- Acrylic panels
- Composite solid-surface panels
- PVC multi-panel systems
Acrylic and Composite Panels
Options like acrylic and composite solid-surface panels are perfect for those who want a completely seamless waterproof barrier. It's easy to wipe dirt and scum away with a microfiber cloth or sponge.
Many panels may be customizable and come with built-in soap dishes and other functional storage options. For more luxury designs, homeowners may prefer a solid-surface composite over acrylic.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tiles
Ceramic tiles are easy to keep hygienic, especially if they're glazed, which makes them moisture-resistant.
Your porcelain wall tile is the ideal option for an elegant and easy-to-clean bathroom wall due to its high water resistance that also resists scratches and chips. It's naturally stain-resistant and only requires mild soap and water to maintain.
Homeowners don't need to seal porcelain, unlike natural stone, and a well-maintained porcelain panel can last for 50 years or longer, thanks to water absorption of 0.5% or less. Because it's non-porous, this beautiful and denser type of ceramic is mold and allergen-resistant.
As you enjoy less scrubbing, play up your bathroom interior design, as some porcelain tiles can mimic the appearance of wood or natural stone, such as marble.
How Can I Find the Right Options?
When searching for your ideal low-maintenance shower walls, evaluate your selection based on budget, desired look, and how much grout you're willing to handle. Remember, the size of your bathroom tiles will affect just how much grout you'll have to deal with, if any at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Use for Shower Walls Besides Tile?
In addition to tile, popular shower wall options include large-format porcelain or ceramic slabs. You can also get full wall panels made from materials like acrylic or PVC.
Thanks to the lack of or reduced seams, all of these options decrease the amount of maintenance. Their size also makes installation much quicker and creates a slicker and smoother look on your bathroom walls.
Is It Cheaper to Tile a Shower or Use Panels?
To reduce your shower wall installation budget, you may want to opt for panels. The wall panels are often cheaper than tiles due to lower material costs. Their size also means faster installation, which results in cheaper labor costs.
What Can You Not Clean Porcelain Tiles With?
While porcelain is dense, strong, and durable, it can still suffer damage from improper product usage. Therefore, never clean your porcelain shower wall tiles with anything acidic or other harsh chemicals, like ammonia or bleach. Avoid using abrasive materials like scouring pads; use soft microfiber cloths instead.
Chill With Time-saving Bathroom Solutions
Taking care of your bathroom is a must if you want a healthy and elegant home you're comfortable in and proud to show off. Since you use the bathroom daily, your showers can quickly become one of the dirtiest parts of the home without regular maintenance, even more so with constant traffic.
However, choosing the right materials, such as ceramic or porcelain tiles or other durable panels, can help reduce the amount of scrubbing and time consumed to keep this part of the home clean and presentable. If you want to save energy and time in 2026, investing in low-maintenance shower walls may do the trick.
Did this article give you better insight into how you can optimize your bathroom space and the time it takes to care for it? If so, search our website for other lifestyle and home maintenance articles.
This article was prepared by an independent contributor and helps us continue to deliver quality news and information.