How clean is your glass shower door really?
You can keep it shiny and clear by cleaning after each use. Few of us love household chores, but ignoring this regular maintenance allows hard water stains and soap scum to build up, which leads to mildew and mould.
Thankfully, cleaning glass shower doors is relatively simple. It’s also one of the best ways to ensure your bathroom looks and feels clean. Check out these easy tips to prevent permanent stains.
5 Tips to Keep Your Glass Shower Doors Clean
Get rid of hard water stains, soap scum and mildew from your glass shower doors with these simple tips.
1. Squeegee After Using the Shower
Clean the glass using a squeegee after showering, as warm water and steam will loosen up the dirt and soap scum. It also goes a long way towards preventing deposits of grime and minerals that can result in spots. If you don’t have a squeegee, use a soft microfibre cloth.
When cleaning, start at the top corners of the door and work your way towards the bottom. Apply light pressure so the water runs down as you drag the squeegee blade. Do this until there’s no water visible on the surface. Once complete, wipe the glass with a dry cloth. For best results allow any remaining moisture to evaporate.
2. Use Vinegar for Soap Scum
If you’re looking for a homemade solution to soap scum, use distilled white vinegar and dish soap.
Lightly heat the vinegar and mix in an equal amount of a grease-cutting liquid detergent. You can pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply it to your glass shower door. Allow the mixture to sit for 30 minutes to let it cut through the accumulated grime. Rinse away the solution with water, then wipe the glass with a soft microfibre cloth.
| NOTE: This solution can be used in most showers, but be careful if your shower area employs natural stone as the vinegar’s acidity can cause damage. In such cases, homeowners can use a mixture of liquid detergent and baking soda. Mix until the consistency appears similar to frosting. This great eco-friendly alternative needs to be applied to the glass using a sponge. Let the mixture sit for 30-45 minutes and follow the rinsing and drying technique mentioned earlier. |
3. Switch to Talc-Free Soap
Bar soaps that contain talc cause soap scum. To keep your shower door looking and staying clean longer, switch to a liquid body wash or talc-free soap.
4. Choose Commercial Cleaners
When dealing with tough glass shower door stains, use commercial cleaners designed for the purpose. You can easily find these in grocery stores, or ask your shower door providers about high-performance products. It’s best to choose a cleanser with a pH of 7 or 8 to prevent surface damage.
Make sure the glass is completely dry before applying the cleaner. Let the solution sit on the glass for a few minutes before lightly scrubbing the area. Once complete, use a paper towel or lint-free cloth to wipe the solution.
Avoid acid-based cleaners and scouring pads as these can irreparably damage the glass coating. Also, remember to wear gloves when dealing with chemicals to protect your skin.
5. Allow Ventilation
Mould and mildew thrive in damp environments and hard water spots form when water is allowed to dry on the glass door. To ensure they remain clean, prevention is necessary.
Ample ventilation helps water evaporate faster and reduces mould, mildew, and hard water spot accumulation in the shower and other parts of the bathroom. If your bathroom has windows, leave them open to release trapped humidity. If not, turn on the fan before getting in the shower. You may want to consider installing a window one as ventilating the space goes a long way towards protecting your shower area.
How often should you clean your glass shower doors? |
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Regularly maintaining them means you won’t have to worry about deep cleaning the space once every few weeks or months. Based on these tips, here’s a schedule you should follow: ● Daily Cleaning Use a squeegee or dry microfibre cloth every day after the last shower. Also, avoid soaps that contain talc, and remember to ventilate the area when not in use. ● Weekly Cleaning Use vinegar & detergent solution and a soft microfibre cloth/sponge weekly to get rid of soap scum and spots. ● Monthly Cleaning You can deep clean the shower area once a month using a suitable commercial cleaner. Thoroughly scrub your shower enclosure, making sure to clean the corners too. |
To keep your glass shower door looking as good as new, follow these tips. Cleaning the area regularly will help you go longer between deep cleanings. It also guarantees that your shower door stays in good condition.
