Shower enclosures began gaining popularity in the UK in the 1960s and 1970s with the development of plumbing, and frameless shower glass. As we approached the 21st century, this market expanded greatly with the introduction of various different types of shower glass and doors, including quadrant enclosures, sliding shower doors, pivot shower doors and of course more recently, the modern wet room.
How To Clean Shower Glass
With so many cleaning products available for bathrooms and glass, it can be difficult to know which shower cleaner is worth investing in.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that different types of cleaner will be suitable for different types of dirt on shower glass. This can be anything from water spots to limescale to soap scum.
However, regardless of the amount of cleaning products available, the best hack for cleaning shower glass is to make use of household staples that you’re likely to already have in your kitchen cupboards!
How To Clean Shower Glass With Vinegar And Baking Soda
Using vinegar and baking soda as a cleaning solution is a traditional method which is still hugely effective and also, cost conscious. It is particularly effective when used to clean shower glass as vinegar breaks down the baking soda, which in turn releases carbon dioxide gas and creates a foam. This foam can then be used to effortlessly dissolve dirt and grease.
When creating a cleaning solution for your shower glass, mix one part baking soda to two parts vinegar. You could then apply this mixture directly and wipe down the glass with a microfibre cloth. Alternatively, pop the solution into a spray bottle for easy use.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Shower Glass Doors?
As well as using an effective cleaning solution to clean your glass shower doors, there are some definite do’s and don’ts in regards to what tools you should and shouldn’t be using.
Cleaning Tools Required
- Microfibre cloths
A microfibre cloth is definitely an essential for bathroom cleaning as they are absorbent, reusable and leave glass shower doors sparkling and streak free.
- Spray Bottle
Whilst you can use a cleaning solution directly onto a sponge as an acting glass cleaner, it is much more effective to use a spray bottle, and in particular a trigger spray bottle. This will save valuable time, and also ensure you’re covering the entirety of the shower glass.
- Squeegee
As your window cleaner would use for cleaning your external windows, a squeegee is a non-negotiable tool when cleaning shower glass. After cleaning your glass with a microfibre cloth and your vinegar and baking soda cleaning solution, a squeegee offers the final touch to ensure sparkling streak-free glass.
Cleaning Tools To Avoid
- Tissue or Blue Roll
Tissue or blue roll is a definite no-no for cleaning glass. The consistency of these materials is not strong enough and likely to disintegrate leaving parts of it behind on your glass.
- Scourers
Scourers are another tool you definitely want to avoid for cleaning shower glass. Scourers are abrasive and almost definitely likely to scratch your glass.
- Sponges
Sponges come in many shapes and sizes but can often be deceptive as they’re typically designed to scrub not smoothly clean. Therefore if using a sponge, you could be opening yourself up to leaving small scratches on your glass which will negatively affect the appearance over a long period of time.
Cleaning Methods For Different Stains And Marks On Shower Glass
As we all know, glass of any kind can be subject to many different types of dirt and shower glass can be one of the worst. The type of dirt you have can vary depending on what area you live in and how hard the water is. The products you use when showering can also affect what sort of dirt you’re having to deal with.
It is important you use the correct tactic for each type of dirt, so we’ve covered these in more detail to ensure sparkling shower glass for years to come.
How To Get Water Marks Off Shower Glass?
Water spots thankfully are one of the easiest types of dirt to remove from glass shower doors and should be part of every bathroom cleaning routine. A simple glass cleaner and microfibre cloth will do the trick in removing these.
How To Clean Limescale From Shower Glass?
If you live in a hard water area, limescale can become a regular problem during bathroom cleaning and can occur not just on shower glass, but on taps and showers too.
Limescale can be a bit trickier to remove than water spots but your vinegar and baking soda solution should clean it right up. Using your trigger spray bottle, spray the entirety of the glass with the cleaning solution and leave to soak for a few minutes. You can then use your squeegee to remove the solution and finally polish with a dry microfibre cloth.
How To Remove Soap Scum From Shower Glass?
Soap scum is a combination of soaps, body fats, and minerals which exist in the water.
Similarly to removing limescale, you need to follow the same process to remove soap scum. The only difference is that you want to let the cleaning solution soak the glass for 15-20 minutes. The mixture should then glide off with your squeegee followed by a new microfibre cloth.
How To Clean Streaky Shower Glass?
There are lots of tips and tricks to both prevent and clean streaky shower glass. These hacks are super simple and bound to make life easier during bathroom cleaning:
Consider The Room Temperature
Believe it or not, temperature can contribute to streaky glass. Because of this, you always want to ensure you are cleaning your shower glass when it is room temperature and avoid cleaning if it is particularly hot or cold.
Wipe In The Same Direction
For streak-free, sparkling shower glass, it is best to follow the same direction throughout. If cleaning a tall piece of glass, it is always best to begin at the top and work your way down to the bottom.
Use Cleaning Products In Moderation
Although cleaning solution is crucial to removing all types of dirt from shower glass, using this in moderation is also important. Overusing the cleaning product is much more likely to cause streaking. Use a bit at a time and add more if needed as a preventative measure for shower glass streaks.
Dry The Glass After Cleaning
Drying or buffing is the key last step in ensuring streak-free shower glass. A dry microfibre cloth should always be used to dry or buff the glass after removal of product to ensure a streak-free finish. Using a circular motion to do this is guaranteed to buff out any remaining streaks.
How To Prevent Hard To Remove Stains On Shower Glass
As with any bathroom cleaning routine, prevention is always better than treatment, and the same can be said for keeping your glass shower doors squeaky clean.
Using a squeegee after every shower will be sure to help prevent shower glass dirt. But don’t forget to allow the bathroom to cool down to room temperature before doing so.
Regularly drying and buffing your shower glass will also help to prevent hard-to-remove shower glass stains.
If you’re really struggling with staining caused by hard water in your area, it may be worth investing in a water softening shower head filter as a tough preventative measure.
Shower Glass Care FAQs
Can I Use A Steam Cleaner On Shower Glass?
Yes! A steam cleaner is a great tool to use to really give your shower glass that deep clean and sparkling finish you’re looking for. The use of a steam cleaner will effectively break down any form of dirt when combined with the vinegar and baking soda cleaning solution. If you want to prevent arm ache, then it’s definitely time to get the steam cleaner out!
How To Get Scratches Out Of Shower Glass?
You’ll be delighted to know you don’t have to go very far to find a solution to removing scratches from your shower glass. Regular white toothpaste is an amazing and low-cost way to polish scratches out of your shower glass.
Toothpaste acts as a mild abrasive that smooths scratches therefore removing them or at least making them less visible. Genius right?
How To Clean A Shower Glass Seal?
Cleaning a shower glass seal can be an awkward task depending on the type of shower enclosure you have.
Using your vinegar and baking soda cleaning solution and spray bottle, spray the seal and use a soft bristled toothbrush to get every nook and cranny of the seal.
Once you’re happy you’ve reached all of the dirt, fill a jug with warm water and pour over the seal to ensure all dirt is rinsed away.
More Tips And Tricks From Bathroom Takeaway
This is just one article in a series of bathroom cleaning tips and tricks from us here at Bathroom Takeaway. If you’re looking for easy-to-follow hacks then be sure to check out some of our other articles including bathroom cleaning hacks and How to Prevent Mould in the Bathroom.
