Hoping that your shower doors sparkled like they did when they were first installed and looked like they fitted in a magazine? We all do, don’t we? Shower doors, unfortunately, get filthy and scummy quickly! There are also a lot of cleaning products on the market that just don’t work perfectly.
Glass is a very tough material to deal with. It draws all types of filth due to its nature. Worse than that, it boldly displays them. Glass cannot be treated in the same way as other surfaces during a cleaning frenzy, it demands specific attention and care. A single misstep might result in a slew of scratches.
Shower glass doors earn the award as being the most difficult to clean of all the glass things around the house. You’d think they’d be the cleanest, given their regular use and the amount of water and soap they deal with on a daily basis. The opposite could not be further from reality. Surprisingly, the problem has been the soap and water itself.
What Makes Shower Glass Look Cloudy?
The minerals found in hard water generate the cloudy marks that form on the shower glass doors. When paraffin from soap bars combines with all of the minerals, a layer of grit forms on any areas it comes into touch with. These minerals are left on the glass as the water dries. It’s really obvious because of the transparent aspect of the glass.
The filth is quite difficult to remove, and if left on the glass for a significant amount of time, it will ruin the clarity of the glass. As a result, it is best to take action as early as you notice the cloudy film on the doors. We’ve got your back if you’re still not sure what to do to get rid of these stains quickly.
When Should You Clean Your Glass Shower Doors?
Though the most efficient cleaning plan would contain daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning duties, it shouldn’t have to be just as difficult as it may appear. A consistent cleaning routine will not only reduce the volume of filth build-up in every shower, but it can significantly cut down on the time it takes to wash away the tough spots that accumulate over time.
Fortunately, there have been a few helpful ideas and techniques we may employ to make the procedure as smooth as we can! For starters, cleaning the glass shower doors shortly after a hot shower is indeed a smart option. Removing any unwanted dirt will be much easier because the steaming and warm water already have softened any filth.
We’ve reviewed different methods on how to clean glass shower doors. Here are the top cleaning tips you can use to make it look brand-new.
Clever Ways to Clean Glass Shower Doors
1. Squeegee
When it comes to maintaining the glass shower doors clean, prevention is important. While molds and bacteria flourish in moist environments, the greatest and easiest thing you can do is squeegee the glass after each shower.
These cheap tools may be found in any store or dollar shop, and they can simply be placed in the shower for everyone to use.
Simply begin at one of the upper portions and run with a squeegee blade down the glass to eliminate any droplets of water or potential growth of mildew.
2. Shampoo
The shampoo is actually a double agent. You may use it not just to clean your hair, but also to wipe the filth that has accumulated on your glass doors. Shampoo, which is designed to remove oil and grime, is as effective just like any other industrial cleaner on the market. It doesn’t have to be anything special, any regular shampoo would suffice.
Just keep in mind the shampoo shouldn’t have any conditioner added to it. Conditioners are meant to keep moisture in, so they will contribute to the slime on the glass door. Around the size of one of those small hotel shampoo tubes, a tiny amount is sufficient to remove stains from hazy shower doors.
Apply the same wet-lather-rinse method you used on your hair, then wipe it down with a clean cotton towel. The end result is a spotless door.
3. Vinegar
One of the most commonly available ingredients in the kitchen is vinegar. It is readily accessible practically anywhere at great prices, in addition to its cleaning efficiency. Simply combine 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup dishwashing liquid in a spray container to produce a vinegar spray to battle soap scum.
Spray this solution over the glass door and wait a few moments for it to soak in. After it has been set, clean the surface with a microfiber towel by hand and leave it completely dry.
4. Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are a terrific hidden weapon against accumulated build-up since they are designed to soften water deposits.
Try reusing a few sheets from previous washes, or use a new sheet to benefit from the fresh scent it will give after.
Wipe the glass shower door starting from top to bottom with a wet dryer sheet. When you are finished, wipe the glass off with a clean paper towel and appreciate the sparkle!
5. Homemade Cleaning Spray
This simple glass cleaner mixture, created with all-natural components, works wonders. Here’s how you can produce your own cleaning spray – just put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with water until it’s completely full, then gently swirl it without letting it froth. The homemade glass shower door is ready to use! Keep this solution far from direct sunlight to prolong its shelf life.
6. Air Ventilation
To avoid the spread of mold and mildew, make sure your bathroom is sufficiently ventilated. This may be done by opening the window, switching on the bathroom exhaust, or leaving the shower door open after you’ve finished showering.
Once you’re through with your shower, leave the door open to let the humidity out. Users could also leave the bathroom vent on while showering and for up to 30 minutes afterward.
If none of these choices are accessible, try opening a window and using a dehumidifier as necessary.
7. Ammonia
In big businesses, ammonia is the most widely utilized cleaner. However, it may also be used to clean your shower doors. You can mix a small amount of ammonia with water and put it in a spray bottle and spray on the dirt and grime. Use a sponge to dislodge the dirt while it’s still wet. Allow all of the ammonia to run down the drain by thoroughly rinsing the surface with water.
If you wish to use this heavy-duty cleaning, make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated and that you follow all safety precautions like using a safety glove.
Do not clean your bathroom with vinegar and ammonia at the same time, since the two chemicals might react and produce a hazardous atmosphere.
8. Commercial Cleaner
In other situations, environmentally friendly solutions will not be enough. If stains and scum are too difficult to remove, try using a commercial cleaner formulated particularly for cleaning glass showers. Branded sprays, maybe a good choice because they are designed for daily usage.
Put the cleaning product to dry glass while wearing protective gloves, as directed on the packaging. Since some solutions must have to rest for a few minutes before cleaning, it’s better to stick to the manufacturer’s directions to get the result we wanted.
9. Toothbrush
Reaching between the metal rails is the most difficult element of cleaning a glass shower. Since soap scum, mildew, and filth love to hide in the creases, having a little toothbrush dedicated to cleaning crevices can be a lifesaver.
If the build-up is just too difficult to handle, sharper equipment like a paint scraper could be necessary, but a regular cleaning program shouldn’t involve much elbow grease. Clean the aluminum frame of the glass shower door with a toothbrush.
10. Essential Oils
Amazingly, essential oils, particularly Lemon and Thyme, are effective for cleaning glass shower doors.
Simply combine them with hot water to make a pleasant-smelling glass shower door cleaner. Using the solution and a towel, wipe clean the doors. They’ll be spotless when they’re done!
11. Polishing Buffer
The longer you leave the stains on the glass, the more difficult it will be to remove them. It is impossible to scrape the grime away since using any harsh instrument on glass can be damaging. Using a polishing buffer is an option that functions in your favor.
Because a buffer spins at a fast speed, it may readily remove the filth. Its gentle brushes also guarantee that the glass is not harmed during the cleaning procedure.
Moreover, it’s a lot faster than scrubbing the glass for hours. It’s also a lot less expensive than replacing entire glass that has been ruined by filth.
12. Lemon with Salt
Citrus acid, which can effectively break down the composition of filth, is abundant in lemons. Because dirt is mostly made up of biogenic minerals, a weak acid such as the one found in lemons may readily loosen and clear them.
Lemons also make your bathroom smell clean and fresh, so it’s a definite plus on both sides. Simply split a lemon in half, cover it with salt, and clean the doors with it. Effortless right?
13. Baking Soda
When baking soda and water are combined to make a paste, it can restore the sparkle to the glass doors. Because baking soda is a bit harsh, then that will remove any existing stains which will then be dissolved by the water. To restore the appearance of your glass doors, just rinse and dry them.
14. Microfiber Cloth
Microfiber towels are the trend these days. They are worthy of recognition for their flexibility. They are highly absorbent and will readily clean up any traces of filth on your door.
The advantage of utilizing microfiber cloth is that it may be used to get somewhat unreachable spots. After each usage, wash and squeeze out the remaining water in the cloth and lay it flat to dry.
Maintain Your Shower Glass Free of Scum
Soap marks don’t take long to form these days. These might start emerging after the very next bathing session after cleaning if not cleaned with the right cleaners or not checked from time to time. However, you may avoid them by applying these few simple guidelines.
Take a look at these basic helpful tips:
- Rather than bar soap, use liquid soap. Shower creams and cleansers do not have the same ingredients present in a bar, which helps to avoid scum buildup.
- After each usage, make it a practice to wipe the shower with a squeegee or a dry towel. This will keep any scum from forming.
- Shower curtains can also be used to reduce the amount of water that comes into contact with shower doors. Needless to say, you still have to wash the curtain, but that is a lot easier than washing the doors.
That is all there is to it. A step-by-step method for getting rid of dirt and grime and preventing it from reappearing. Let’s not put off cleaning any longer, let’s go to work removing those unpleasant stains.
Professional Cleaning Service
Hellamaid can assist you if you would prefer to just relax than clean your shower doors. Our home cleaning services can provide the best care that your home or apartment deserves. Give us a call at 226-770-3200 / 289-812-8155 or visit hellamaid.ca to get a FREE quotation.
*The purpose of this article is to assist you in cleaning your own glass shower doors. It is not meant to represent the procedures followed by Hellamaid’s professional cleaning crews.
