Installing
frameless shower doors in your bathroom is a great way to add style and elegance to your space. That is until the glass becomes dirty or stained with hard water and soap scum. However, you don’t need to stress about adding another time-consuming chore to your busy week. While several products on the market will sufficiently clean glass, tiles, and other shower accessories, there are many simple methods and
household products (that you probably already have in your home) that can help you maintain your frameless shower doors.
Below are some easy ways to help prevent and remove residue from your shower door glass to keep it looking clean and pristine.
Why Does Shower Glass Get Dirty?
Let’s start by talking about
why your frameless shower door gets so dirty in the first place. Hard water is high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium carbonates. When hard water mixes with your sudsy shower products, it can leave stains on your shower door glass. This soap scum can be harmful over time and diminishes the aesthetic appeal of your bathroom. Since glass is porous, it allows the hard water minerals to seep into the glass and cause corrosion. Additionally, soap scum is a type of mildew that can cause some health risks. Keeping your frameless shower door clean is the best way to prevent long-term damage and stains.
Shower Cleaning and Maintenance Tips Using Common Household Products
Removing mildew with hydrogen peroxide:
As stated above, the mildew that is caused by soap scum causes a thin coating to form on glass and other shower surfaces that can be difficult to remove. This mildew primarily forms around the edges of your shower and where the glass meets the frame. Mildew can be harmful, and you will want to get rid of it as soon as possible using a simple solution made with hydrogen peroxide and water. Add both products into a spray bottle and apply it to affected areas. Once it has a moment to sit, simply wipe the area dry. You can repeat this process as many times as necessary without worry!
Cleaning your shower with vinegar:
Did you know that while some popular cleaning products on the market will kill bacteria and remove soap scum from your frameless shower door, not all of them remove mould? If hydrogen peroxide is not doing the job for you,
try cleaning with distilled white vinegar. You can even try both products! Apply the vinegar using a spray bottle and then use a rag to wipe down the shower glass and other shower surfaces to leave them sparkling clean and mould-free.
Vinegar is also great for removing scum from the shower. For general shower maintenance, wet the shower and then use a squeegee to clear the water from the glass. Afterward, use a spray bottle with undiluted vinegar to cover the area you wish to clean. Now, just wash it down with regular water one more time to remove hard water deposits to minimize their chance to stain once more.
Removing mildew with baking soda:
If you are absolutely at a loss for cleaning the old stuck-on stains on your frameless shower door, baking soda will do the trick. Mix the baking soda with a little bit of tap water to make a paste. Apply the paste to the areas you wish to clean with a cloth or sponge. Use this mixture to remove tough hard water stains and all other grime in your shower that requires a bit of elbow grease. This method can be used with the peroxide or vinegar methods mentioned above as well.
Have a squeegee on hand:
The easiest way to stop stains and mildew from forming on your frameless shower door is to maintain it on a regular basis. Having a squeegee on hand means that right after you shower, you can remove excess water and soapy suds from the glass so that it does not dry into stains. This simple precaution will make your life easier in the long run and keep your chore list at a minimum.
Pre-cleaning with Bounce Fabric Softener:
Believe it or not, Bounce and other fabric softeners are excellent products to remove soft soap scum and build-up that would otherwise be difficult to remove from your frameless shower door. All you need to do is take a sheet of fabric softener to the dry glass and scrub. Doing this will loosen tough build-up and remove lighter stains from the glass and other surfaces. When finished, take some tap water and your squeegee and wash the glass or even use the vinegar or peroxide solutions described above for best results.
Want More Information?
For more information on how to keep your shower and frameless shower door clean,
contact Glass Showers and More today! Besides offering recommendations on cleaning supplies and tips, we can recommend products that can be installed in your shower to make cleaning and maintenance easier.