Read on to see how you can get the shine you are looking for and wipe away any shower bacteria today!
CLEANING TIPS:
PREVENTING SOAP SCUM
There are a few things you can use to prevent soap scum from building up and causing streaks on your shower’s glass. Consider switching to a liquid soap instead of a bar of soap and you instantly notice the lack of soap scum in your shower.
You should also always dry your entire shower after use and rinse it down with water and this will prevent minerals from gathering together to create hard to get rid of stains. Softening your water using a water softener is also a great idea and is one that a lot of people forget about, and is something we recommend.
USING A SCRAPER
Use a window-cleaning scraper to wipe your showers door after you're done giving it a clean, is a great way to prevent soap scum. Although bar soap and other cleansing items are great at getting rid of stains, they can be problematic if left unrinsed.
A window scraper will wipe away any residue, especially in the frustrating corners of your glass door. Consider investing in one if you are tired of soap scum and mineral buildup ruining your glasses shine.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SHOWER DOOR
1. COLLECT YOUR CLEANING SUPPLIES
Before you dive headfirst into cleaning your shower doors, you will want to check you have everything you need to create your own shower scrubbing mixture. Check your home for ingredients such as 'vinegar' or 'bicarbonate of soda' as these can be extremely useful when you want to clean a shower.
2. USE YOUR SPRAY
Once you are happy with your chosen shower cleaner solution, mix it together in a spray bottle and cover your entire shower glass screen with the mixture. A spray is extremely useful as it can reach spots high up that you may ordinarily struggle to get to.
3. LET IT SOAK
A vital step, but one that is often forgetting, is to make sure you leave your cleaning mixture to soak in. Wiping away the mixture too soon will prevent it from getting rid of all the soap scum on your glass. This means you may not get that blinding shine you are looking for.
For most solutions, you should leave it to soak for at least 10-15 minutes, but for some, such as a vinegar and water mix, you can leave it for up to 30 minutes. Don’t leave acidic cleansing agents on your glass door for too long, however, as it can leave streaks.
4. SCRUB AWAY
After 15 or so minutes, it is now time to scrub away any of the cleaning mixtures that may be left on your glass door. Wipe away any solutions softly, if you scrub too hard you can sometimes leave streaks.
Try to find a soft sponge, as opposed to a scouring pad as you won’t want to damage your shower in any way. You can also use a glass window scraper if you have one in your home cupboard. We would highly recommend picking a scraper up as they are perfect for shower screens and glass doors.
5. AND…. RINSE
Using water to wash away any potential leftover solution is a great way to ensure you haven’t left anything behind. Fill up a bucket of water and run it down any glass around your shower to make sure you don’t ruin your door’s shine.
This step is also important if you have used a strong-smelling mixture, such as white vinegar or ammonia solution. A final rinse with water can prevent a strong smell from overpowering your bathroom.
6. FINAL STEPS
Finally, always dry any leftover watermarks with a paper towel or microfiber cloth. Leaving water to gather on the door of your shower may lead to mould or other problematic marks on your glass. This is also important after you have used the shower!
Try to keep on top of drying your showers glass after you have used it as this is a great way to keep on top of your bathroom cleaning.
WHAT TO USE TO CLEAN YOUR SHOWER DOOR
USE BAKING SODA
Baking soda is easily one of the best ingredients you can use to clean any type of shower doors. By combining it with a liquid, such as vinegar or even just water, you can create a shower spray that will remove even the most stubborn soap scum.
Firstly, you will want to mix your baking soda with water and add it to a spraying bottle if possible. Once the water and baking soda mixture is fully combined, you can simply spray it around your shower enclosure to clean glass shower doors with ease.
Leave it on for around 15-20 minutes, then wipe your shower’s glass door with a towel or a sponge to remove any of the water/bicarb mixtures that are left. Few mixtures are as powerful at getting rid of soap scum and water spots as a bicarbonate and water mixture.
USE VINEGAR
Although it may create an unpleasant smell, vinegar is constantly used to offer a deep cleaning solution. By combining vinegar, preferably white vinegar, with a cleansing detergent, you will be able to wipe away almost all stains found in your shower.
The best part of vinegar is that it is a liquid meaning you can put it in a spray bottle and hit those hard to reach sections of your shower. Once you have applied it to your shower screen, leave it to cut through any grime and soap scum for around 30 minutes. Don’t leave it too long as its acidic nature may cause streaks on your glass shower door.
Once the vinegar has done its job, softly wipe it away with paper towels or a sponge and dry up any vinegar residue with microfiber cloths. Shower scrubbing doesn’t need to be expensive when you can use products found in your kitchen cupboards.
USING AMMONIA
More commonly associated with hairdressers, did you know that ammonia can be used to clean shower doors?
By mixing ammonia with warm water in a spray bottle, you can create your own powerful shower cleaner. However, never mix ammonia with a bleaching agent as this can create extremely dangerous toxic fumes.
Before you spray your mixture on your shower glass, open any windows or ventilation in your bathroom as ammonia can be extremely smelly. Once your bathroom is well ventilated, simply use the spray bottle on your shower glass and give it a few minutes to do its job.
When you are confident you have left it on for at least 10-15 minutes, wipe away any residue with a sponge or cloth. As always, you should dry any water stains with a paper towel, or just a regular tower once you have wiped down your shower.
USING LEMON JUICE
One of the best cleaning products and one that you will surely have in your cupboards come pancake day, lemon juice is perfect for scrubbing down shower doors. Lemon is not only great at getting rid of scum and mineral deposits, but it is ideal for removing streaks from glass shower doors.
Ideally, when using lemon, you will want to combine it with baking soda as the acid will create a reaction with the baking soda. This reaction will create a foam that is perfect for scrubbing down any part of the bathroom, not just your shower door.
When you next plan on cleaning your entire shower, consider using a lemon juice/baking soda mixture.
REGULAR CLEANING PRODUCT
Sometimes, when the dirt and grime stains aren’t too bad, regular cleaning products are more than sufficient for cleaning glass shower doors. Grab a sponge and use any typical cleansing solutions you may find in your utility cupboard as sometimes that’s all that’s needed.
Once you have finished doing this, be sure to wipe down your shower using a paper towel or similar drying item. You don’t want any more moisture building up than is necessary as this can lead to mould.
FAQS
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY SHOWER DOOR?
Due to high temperatures and water vapour leading to humidity, cleansing your shower door regularly is extremely important. Lack of cleaning can lead to mould build-up and a grimy shower door so ideally, you will want to scrub your shower door at least once a week.
This is especially important if your shower’s door is crafted from glass. Wipe away scum build-up on your glass door with a sponge and ensure your bathroom surfaces are constantly cleaned to prevent grime.
WHAT REMOVES HARD WATER STAINS FROM GLASS SHOWER DOORS?
Almost all of the solutions we have provided today are excellent at removing hard water stains from glass shower doors. However, the most effective solution to clean glass shower doors may be a white vinegar and water mixture.
As the vinegar cuts through the hard water, it will effectively cut through the stains leaving nothing behind.
WHAT IS THE EASIEST TYPE OF SHOWER DOOR TO CLEAN?
Some of the easiest door types to keep clean are made out of glass. As glass is clear, you can easily spot streaks and stains that may not show up on a solid surface. Glass is also incredibly smooth, meaning you can wipe it down with a scraper or similar tool and get rid of scum incredibly easy.
Almost all shower cleaners on the market are designed around cleaning shower door glass for a reason. If you are considering purchasing a new door for your shower, then try to find a glass one that you like.
HOW DO I KEEP MY SHOWER DOOR CLEAN?
By following all of the cleaning tips above, you will be able to easily keep on top of your shower cleaning. Always dry your door after a deep clean and consider using products found in your cupboard instead of splashing out on a ‘miracle mixture’.
You should also consider getting a window scraper or similar cleansing utensil as you will instantly notice the difference!
SOURCE: Bella Bathrooms Blog UK Amy Brooks
