Knowing how to clean glass shower doors is an important skill for proper bathroom hygiene and maintenance. Furthermore, the sight of stains and soapy deposits on the otherwise sophisticated and elegant doors is a source of embarrassment.
Glass shower doors are known for accumulating dirt quickly especially for people that live in places with hard water. Let us begin by understanding how this happens.
The Reaction between Hard Water and Soap
According to an article by the World Health Organization, hard water is water that contains a variety dissolved minerals. Examples include calcium, magnesium, zinc, aluminum and iron.
When hard water comes into contact with soap, a lot of the latter is required for lather to be formed. At the same time, it is common for a deposit of precipitate to be formed thereby leaving residue in places such as bathtub and bathroom doors.
When it comes to glass shower doors, the problem manifests in form of soap scum, stains and a cloudy appearance.
How to Clean Glass shower Doors
Glass door bathroom owners apply a variety of methods to maintain and keep their bathroom doors sparkling clean. The methods necessitate the use natural, chemical and commercial products independently or together.
Natural methods are my go to options because they are inexpensive and require the use of readily available supplies.
Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is one of the best soap scum removers. It works effectively alone or when mixed with other products. Below is a step by step guide on how to use it.
Step 1: Combine equal amounts of warm vinegar and water in a spray bottle and shake.
Step 2: Spray on both sides of the bathroom door and let it soak for up to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Use a sponge or non-abrasive cloth to clean the door thoroughly
Step 4: Rinse the door with cold water.
Step 5: Repeat step 2-4 incase the door does not appear properly cleaned.
Step 6: Use a clean lint-free or microfiber cloth to wipe off excess water.
There are several other ways that you can use vinegar to clean glass shower doors. The first approach is to spray the liquid directly to the door and let it soak for 20-30 minutes before following up with steps 3-6 as listed above.
The second technique involves the use of vinegar and baking soda. Begin by applying vinegar directly to the glass door and let it sit for sometime. Spread baking soda on a cleaning cloth/sponge and scrub the door until it is completely clean. Follow up with steps 4-6 of method one.
The last option is to try a combination of vinegar and liquid detergent. Add one part of liquid soap and 3 parts of vinegar to a spray bottle and soak the shower door with the mixture. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes before following up with steps 3-6 as in method one.
Cleaning Shower Glass with Lemon
Lemon is a natural cleaning agent that breaks dirt, kills bacteria and gives the shower door a refreshing smell.
Step 1: Begin by mixing it with water in the ratio of 1-2 and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
Step 2: Spray generously on both sides of the shower door and let it soak for a few minutes.
Step 3: Use a sponge scrub to clean off loosened scum and rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Step 4: Finish up by drying off excess water with a clean microfiber or lint-free cloth.
The alternative method is to cut a huge lemon into half, dip one half into baking soda and use it to scrub the glass door. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and wipe off excess water with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent staining.
You do not have to mix lemon with other supplies to get results. It remains effective even when used on its own.
Using Baking Soda as a Cleaning Agent
Baking soda works effectively when mixed with borax. The latter is a powdery mineral substances that is traditionally used for cleaning because of its ability to eliminate stains and mold. It is also known for softening hard water.
Step 1: Combine equal parts of baking soda and borax with water and stir to form a paste.
Step 2: Use a scrub sponge to apply the paste directly to the glass door.
Step 3: Scrub gently to loosen grime and rinse with cold water.
Step 4: Wipe off excess water with a microfiber cloth.
Ammonia Cleaning Method
Ammonia is an excellent cleaning agents but it has some drawbacks that you might want to consider before proceeding to use it.
Firstly, you must use gloves to protect your skin because it is highly toxic. Secondly, avoid bringing it into contact with bleach and other chemicals because the reaction produces dangerous fumes. Lastly, use it in a well-ventilated shower.
Below is a safe procedure to follow.
Step 1: Mix ammonia and water in a spray bottle in the ration of 1:3
Step 2: Spray generously on both sides of the shower door and let it soak for 5 minutes
Step 3: Use a scrub sponge to loosen the grime and rinse with cold water
Step 4: Use a microfiber cloth to dry off excess water
Commercial Cleaning Supplies
If you have an extremely busy schedule that makes it difficult to find time for preparing natural cleaning solutions and allowing them to act on the grime, commercial cleaners should be your go-to option. They are heavy duty and most can get the job done in a much shorter period. Check out our article for the best glass cleaners for shower.
How to Maintain Glass Shower Doors
Although it might be impossible to do thorough cleaning every day of the week, there are simple daily maintenance techniques that should be put into place in between major cleaning days.
Use a Squeegee
Getting a squeegee in to action after every shower is the first and most recommended method. The action mechanism of the tool is simple. It works by wiping off excess water from the glass thereby preventing stains from forming after the glass dries on its own.
Install a Water Softener
In some regions, glass shower doors never seem to maintain a squeaky clean appearance no matter the cleaning measures put in place. The problem is primarily caused by water that is very rich in minerals.
A water softener improves the quality of water by removing calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and other minerals.
Prepare a daily solution
Products such as alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils and liquid soap can be used to prepare a solution for applying on the shower door daily before rinsing and using a squeegee. All these are not effective as deep cleaners but they are a good enough for daily maintenance.
Below is an example recipe to try.
Step 1: Combine equal portions of rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide with a tablespoon of liquid soap.
Step 2: Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and use it to mist the door after every shower.
