The sleek appearance of a glass shower door can be marred by soap scum, hard water stains, and annoying streaks. We will demonstrate how to clean shower doors and prevent the accumulation of stains and filth.
Glass shower doors can create a sleek, contemporary aesthetic to a bathroom, but they also present a large, very visible canvas for soap scum and hard water stains. To maintain your shower doors clean and streak-free, you will need to do routine maintenance in addition to periodic deep cleaning. This tutorial describes how to clean shower doors and tracks, as well as how to maintain their appearance.
It is considerably easier to clean shower doors when you do it frequently and don't let filth accumulate. If you like to clean your shower yourself, continue reading to discover the most effective techniques.
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When it comes to the marks and stains on shower doors, hard water and soap scum are the primary offenders. Hard water stains are unattractive yet harmless. However, soap scum can occasionally trap dirt and bacteria, so it is important to maintain your shower clear of this grime. Here are some cleaning recommendations for addressing both of these issues.
Hard water refers to water that is rich in minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It is not harmful to drink or wash in, but it can make cleaning your shower more difficult. When drops of hard water are allowed to dry on a surface, they can leave behind a film of minerals that is visible on transparent glass.
To remove these stains, you need a nonabrasive cleanser; otherwise, you risk scratching the glass. Also, be cautious to avoid scouring pads. A wet sponge or a soft-bristled plastic brush would work well.
Windex and other glass cleaners are created specifically for cleaning glass, but if you want to avoid harsh chemicals, use white vinegar instead. Warm it for 30 seconds in the microwave, then transfer it to a spray bottle and sprinkle it on the shower doors. Allow the vinegar to sit for five to thirty minutes, and then scrape and rinse the glass. For more hard water stains, use equal amounts of warmed vinegar and grease-cutting dish soap and let sit for up to 30 minutes before scrubbing.
However, if your shower is tiled with natural stone, you should avoid using vinegar and other acidic cleaners, as they might erode the stone. Mix the dish soap with baking soda to produce a paste, put it on a damp sponge, and then clean the glass lightly.
Soap scum is the buildup that accumulates in bathtubs and showers when bar soap is used with hard water, and it can be difficult to remove. Add a small amount of vinegar to baking soda to do this. When the froth subsides, the combination will become a paste that may be applied to any soap scum. Allow the solution to sit for approximately 15 minutes before cleaning it with a non-abrasive sponge and rinsing.
If you'd rather not use vinegar, you can cut a lemon in half and dip the sliced side in baking soda. It will produce foam that may be scrubbed directly onto the filthy glass. If this does not work, add some table salt to the surface and clean again. Keep in mind that salt is abrasive, and prevents excessive scrubbing while using it.
There may still be water or cleaning solution streaks on the glass after you have performed a thorough cleaning. Use a solution of ammonia and water to polish your shower doors to perfection. Spray the shower doors with a mixture of two cups of water and two tablespoons of ammonia contained in a spray bottle. Three minutes after applying the solution to the glass, remove the streaks with a dry microfiber towel.
If you have sliding shower doors, the metal track likely gathers hard water stains, soap scum, and mold and mildew as well. It is difficult to clean this area since it is difficult to get a scrub brush or sponge into all the crevices. Use a bathroom cleaner with foamy action, such as Scrubbing Bubbles, to reach those hard-to-reach areas.
Alternately, you can use white vinegar once again. Simply cover the hole that allows water to drain from the train tracks and fill them with vinegar. Allow it to sit overnight to dissolve the filth, and then absorb the residual vinegar with paper towels the following day. Use an old toothbrush to remove any remaining debris.
You cannot entirely prevent hard water stains and soap scum, but you can significantly reduce them by minimizing the accumulation of filth. The most crucial step is to prevent water droplets from drying on the glass. After each usage, keep a squeegee in the bathroom and wipe clean the shower doors with it.
Consider using a fast daily spray after squeegeeing as well. There are many commercially available cleaning solutions for this purpose, but if you prefer to make your own, try mixing two parts water with one part vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. You may also use a water-repellent glass solution, such as Rain X, to prevent water from remaining on the shower doors long enough to discolor them.
Soap scum is the result of a particular reaction between the minerals in hard water and the fatty acids in bar soap. The body wash does not include these fatty acids, therefore switching to liquid soap will reduce scum.
In addition, you can always install a water softening system in your home, as these issues are largely caused by hard water. It's not a cheap solution, but it should make it easier to clean the majority of household items.
Now what are some other things you can do to take care of your home, you can read our article for assistance.
Meta Title: How to Clean Shower Doors?
Meta Description: With these strategies for cleaning bathroom glass and those hard-to-reach door tracks, you can keep your shower doors clear of hard water stains and soap scum.
