Glass shower doors add modern elegance to your bathroom. However, like all bathroom fixtures, they are susceptible to unsightly dirt and mineral deposits. These are some ways to clean glass shower doors that may look streaky, stained, or foggy. You can easily clean your shower with the ingredients in your home. Don’t forget about cleaning your shower door tracks! Make your next shower door cleaning easier by learning some preventative techniques.
How Often Do You Clean Glass Shower Doors?
Hard water spots are formed when water drops dry on the glass. Mold and mildew can also grow in moist environments. Prevention is the best way to keep your glass shower doors clear and free from grime. Koenig states, “The best thing to do is squeegee it after every use.” To make it easier, keep one in your shower and remind family members to use it after every shower. The basic squeegee is less than $20 and will save you a lot of time and frustration. She says that it will prevent hard-water deposits from building up, so you don’t have to scrub as often.
After everyone has finished bathing for the day, plan to wipe down the shower doors each night. Because the warm water has already removed any grime, this is the best time to clean the shower surround. To avoid using toxic chemicals or additional cleaning products, use a sponge or foam pad such as the Magic Eraser. You can cross off multiple chores by cleaning your shower doors, floors, and walls simultaneously.
It will help dry the shower door by leaving it open. You can also spray your shower doors with a water-repellent spray such as rain-X to prevent water spots. Or, you could install a water softener, which will reduce mineral buildup.
Glass Shower Door Cleaning Schedule:
You should only need to clean your shower doors once every two weeks if you do light maintenance. Here is a great shower cleaning schedule:
- Every day: After using the shower, clean the glass doors of the shower and let the door air out.
- Weekly: Give your whole shower a once-a-week clean with a sponge/foam cleaning pad.
- Every other month: It is time to give your shower a thorough clean. You should thoroughly scrub the entire shower. Make sure you get into all nooks. To prevent water stains from sticking to glass shower doors, spray a water-repellent product.
What You’ll Need.
Equipment / Tools
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush (optional).
- Paint scraper (optional)
- Razor blade scraper (optional).
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish detergent
- Water
- Lemon (optional).
- Baking soda (optional).
- Optional: Lemon oil
- Optional: Essential oil
How To Clean Shower Doors With Vinegar.
Mix vinegar with dish soap
Mix distilled vinegar with Dawn dish detergent in equal amounts to make a homemade cleaner for your shower doors. The solution should be poured into a spray bottle, such as this Better Homes & Gardens Glass Spray Bottle for $5, Walmart.
Spray DIY cleaner on shower door
Spray the mixture on both the front and back doors. Allow it to stand for 30 minutes or until the grime has been removed.
Rinse and dry
Use fresh water and a sponge to rinse the solution. Dry the glass using a microfiber cloth.
Editor’s note: While this vinegar-dish-soap combination works well for most showers, it is best to be cautious when cleaning your shower doors with vinegar. Vinegar could cause damage to stone showers. Kris Koenig, CEO of Natura Clean, suggests that liquid soap be mixed with baking soda to make frosting-like consistency. Use a non-scratch sponge to scrub the cleaner on the glass shower door. Rinse with warm water.
How To Clean Shower Doors With Lemon
This trick will remove annoying streaks from glass shower doors. It was developed by Leslie Reichert (author of The Joy of Green Cleaning). Slice a lemon in half, dip one side in baking soda, and then rub the other side on the glass door. The baking soda reacts with the acid to make a sudsy foam. She says, “Once the glass is clean, I like to rub it with some lemon oil.” The oil repels water, so soap won’t dry on the glass. The fresh lemon scent makes the soap more pleasant than bleach.
How To Clean Shower Door Tracks
Your shower door edges and tracks also need to be taken care of. If you don’t pay attention to these creases while cleaning your shower door, they can become a prime source of mold or trapped soap scum. To scrub the metal frame of your shower door, use a toothbrush or a handheld brush such as the Better Homes & Gardens Bamboo Wood Palm Brush, $10 Walmart. You can use a paint scraper to remove any gunk from the shower door or frame. A razor blade scraper can be used to scrape off mineral spots on the glass if applied gently and carefully. To avoid scratching the glass, make sure you use a sharp and clean blade.
How To Make A Daily Shower Spray
A shower spray can help you save time between deep cleans. Mix 1 cup water with 1/2 cup vinegar to make your own cleaner. You can also add 10-20 drops of essential oil (like this Better Homes & Gardens Pure Lavender Blend, $6; Walmart) to give it a scented scent if you like. After squeegeeing, place the cleaner in the shower. A no-rinse shower spray will allow for longer intervals between deep cleans. If you have a tiled shower, you can skip the vinegar.
