The Ultimate Guide to Cleaning & Maintaining a Wet Room (Floors, Drains & Grout)

Keep Your Sanctuary Sparkling: Professional Care Tips for Wet Rooms

One of the biggest benefits of a wet room is how easy it is to clean. With no bath to lean over and no shower tray rim to scrub, maintenance is generally much simpler than in a standard bathroom.

However, wet rooms have specific needs. The materials we use—like Anti-Slip Safety Vinyl and Tanked Drains—require different care than a porcelain tub. Use the wrong chemicals (like thick bleach), and you could damage the waterproof seal or turn your non-slip floor into an ice rink.

At EA Mobility, we want your bathroom to look as stunning in ten years as it does today. Here is our expert guide to maintaining your wet room.

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The “At a Glance” Cleaning Schedule

Want to keep your wet room pristine? Stick to this simple routine.

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1. How to Clean a Textured Wet Room Floor (Safety Vinyl)

Most accessible wet rooms use high-grade safety vinyl (like Altro or Polyflor). This flooring has a gritty, textured surface to provide grip (R-Rating).
The Problem: Many homeowners struggle with how to clean a textured wet room floor because the same grit that stops you slipping also traps dirt and shreds traditional mops.

If your floor looks dull or discoloured, it isn’t stained—it’s likely just deep-seated dirt. Here is the professional method to fix it.

The “Deck Scrub” Method (Stop Mopping!)

String mops are useless here; they simply push dirty water over the bumps.

1. Sweep: Remove dry dust and hair first.
2. Apply Cleaner: Use warm water mixed with a pH-neutral cleaner (like Altro Clean 44 or simple lemon detergent). Avoid washing up liquid, as it leaves a slippery film.
3. The Scrub: Use a soft-bristled deck scrubber (a brush on a long handle). This is the secret. The bristles get inside the texture to lift the dirt out.
4. The Squeegee (Crucial): Don’t let the dirty water dry! Use a rubber squeegee to push the water into the drain immediately.
5. Rinse: A quick blast with the shower head ensures no chemical residue is left.

⚠️ WARNING: Never use bleach on vinyl flooring. It can yellow the material and make the plastic brittle over time, compromising the waterproofing.

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2. Maintaining the Drain (Stopping Smells)

If your wet room starts to smell like sewers, or the water drains slowly, the issue is almost always the “Trap.”
Because you shower directly on the floor, hair and soap sludge enter the drain more easily than in a bath.

How to Clean a Wet Room Drain

• Step 1: Lift the Cover. Use the removal key (supplied with installation) or a small hook to lift the square/linear drain cover.

• Step 2: Remove the Dip Tube. Inside, you will see a small removable cup or cylinder. This is the “Trap.” Twist and pull it out.

• Step 3: The “Hair Monster”. Remove the blockage. (Rubber gloves recommended!).

• Step 4: The Flush. Rinse the cup under the tap and re-seat it firmly.

• Step 5: The Water Seal. Pour a cup of water down the drain to re-fill the trap. This creates the airtight seal that stops smells coming back up.

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3. Grout & The “Pink Mould” Problem

In the UK, you might notice a pinkish slime appearing on your grout or around the drain.

• What is it? It isn’t actually mould. It is an airborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens that feeds on fatty soaps and shampoo residue.

• The Fix:

1. Switch Products: Try to use shower gels rather than bar soaps (which contain more fats).
2. Ventilation: Ensure your extractor fan runs for 20 minutes after a shower.
3. The Scrub: Use a stiff toothbrush and a baking soda paste to scrub the pink slime away.

Black Mould: If you see black spots on silicone, the mould has penetrated the sealant. The only permanent fix is to cut out the old silicone and re-apply a mould-resistant bathroom sealant.

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4. Glass Screens & Hard Water

If you live in a hard water area, your beautiful glass shower screen can turn cloudy quickly.

• The 10-Second Rule: Keep a squeegee in the shower. Wiping the glass immediately after use is 10x more effective than scrubbing it a week later.

• The Vinegar Trick: Don’t buy expensive chemicals. Mix White Vinegar and Water (50/50) in a spray bottle. Spray on the glass, leave for 5 minutes, and rinse. The acid cuts through limescale instantly.

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5. Underfloor Heating Checks

If you have underfloor heating (common in our small wet room layouts), it acts as a self-cleaning aid.

• The Benefit: By drying the floor rapidly, UFH kills the moisture that bacteria and mould need to survive.

• Maintenance: There is zero maintenance for the pipes/wires. Simply check your thermostat settings in Spring and Autumn to ensure you aren’t heating the room unnecessarily.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Maintenance)

Q: My anti-slip floor still looks dirty after mopping. Why?
A: You are likely using a traditional string or sponge mop. These get caught on the anti-slip grains (texture) and leave dirty water/soap scum sitting in the grooves. Switch to a soft deck scrubber and rubber squeegee method. It lifts the dirt out of the grain and wipes it away, making a massive difference to the colour.

Q: Can I use bleach to kill mould on silicone sealant?
A: You can, but it is often temporary. If the black mould is behind or inside the sealant, bleach won’t reach it. The only permanent fix for black silicone is to cut it out and re-apply a mould-resistant bathroom sealant (a simple DIY job).

Q: Can I use a steam mop on a wet room floor?
A: Check the manufacturer’s guide. For tiles, yes. For Vinyl (Altro/Polyflor), usually No. Intense heat can loosen the adhesive bonding the vinyl to the subfloor, potentially causing bubbles or leaks.

Q: Why does my wet room smell like drains?
A: The water in the drain “trap” may have evaporated (common if you haven’t used it for a while) or been sucked out by back-pressure. Simply pour a pint of water down the drain to re-fill the seal.

Q: Can I use drain unblocker (Caustic Soda)?
A: Be very careful. Harsh chemicals generate heat, which can warp the plastic waste pipes or the rubber seals in your tanking system. We recommend enzymatic cleaners or a simple plunger.

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Protecting Your Warranty

A wet room is a “Tanked System.” The most important maintenance rule is to avoid piercing the membrane.

• Never drill into the floor.

• Be careful drilling new accessories into walls (check for pipes/tanking height).

If you are concerned about your floor integrity or drainage, Contact EA Mobility. We build them, so we know exactly how to look after them.