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We hate to break it to you, but cloudy shower doors are a sign that you’re not cleaning often enough. And it might be because scrubbing glass can be about as much fun as scrubbing the toilet or making time to clean a shower head. But here’s the problem: If shower doors aren’t on your regular cleaning schedule, the glass will lose its luster. Worry not, though. We talked to the experts to find simple tips for how to clean glass shower doors and free yourself from unsightly grime and mildew.
If you’re already learning how to clean your bathroom, what causes pink slime in the shower and how to clean shower curtains, you’re well on your way to a sparkling bathroom. And the experts agree: Proper cleaning is not that hard. Check out their tips for making glass shower doors shine with less effort.
You shouldn’t be waiting until spring cleaning to scrub your shower. Frequent maintenance, according to Tom Portelli, Scotch-Brite product engineer, is the key to preventing those dreaded deep cleans. “It is much easier to remove [soap scum] as you see it because it only gets worse,” Portelli says. To keep those shower doors shiny (and on schedule), follow this cleaning cheat sheet for what to clean when.
Combine the vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution on the glass doors. Use the sponge to gently scrub stubborn spots, then the whole door. Wipe clean with the microfiber cloth.
Pro tip: Be careful mixing products
There are many household uses for vinegar, and it certainly deserves a spot in your cleaning cupboard. But to avoid creating noxious fumes, make sure you’re not mixing it with certain products. These are the cleaning products you should never mix. And to avoid damage, never use vinegar, lemon juice or other acidic cleaners on natural stone surfaces like marble, travertine and granite.
Pour baking soda into a bowl and add just enough water to achieve a thick paste, like that of toothpaste. Gently rub the paste onto the (already wet) glass with the microfiber cleaning cloth (it’s one of the cleaning products professional cleaners buy frequently). This paste is great for removing hard water stains, so apply a little extra pressure to stuck-on spots. Rinse clean with warm water and dry using a fresh cloth.
Pro tip: Take advantage of the shower head
Some products simply make life easier. To turn your shower head into a cleaning hose for easy rinsing, try the Rinseroo, a slip-on extension that gives you a long reach, so you can get to the shower door corners.
Mix the white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Saturate the doors by spraying and allow the mixture to settle for 30 minutes. Dampen the sponge and dip it in baking soda, then gently wipe the doors with it. Rinse with water before drying the doors with a microfiber cloth.
Pro tip: Try these cleaning solutions around the house
Baking soda is great for odor absorption and scrubbing, while vinegar can lift hard water stains. The combo makes baking soda and vinegar cleaning solutions some of the most popular in households. Luckily, the mixture can be used beyond cleaning shower glass. Use it for laundry, fridge refreshes and to clear a clogged sink drain.
Start with damp doors. In a bucket, mix dish soap with water to make a thick foam. Dip the sponge in the solution, and using one finger to apply pressure, thoroughly clean the doors. After rinsing the doors, finish by drying them with a soft cloth. And remember to be careful with dish soap. While it’s great for cleaning shower doors, these are the things you probably shouldn’t clean with dish soap.
Pro tip: Work from top to bottom
Sometimes, the best way to clean shower doors is the easiest. Don’t make extra work for yourself by redepositing grime on a freshly cleaned surface. Working from top to bottom is the most efficient way to clean glass shower doors, says Adriana Aziz, operations manager of home cleaners MaidForYou.
Cut a grapefruit in half and dip the cut end into table salt. Rub the grapefruit directly on the shower door. Allow the salt and fruit mixture to settle up to 10 minutes on any difficult to remove spots. Rinse, and if needed, repeat with the other half. After thoroughly rinsing the doors, dry them with the cloth.
If you’re not already using microfiber cloths, the extremely durable household staples, you’ll want to start now. And to preserve their cleaning power, make sure you’re washing them correctly, says Leanne Stapf, COO of professional cleaning service The Cleaning Authority—that means avoiding the use of fabric softeners and drying using the lowest machine setting.
Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. To clean shower glass, spray mixture and use a cloth to gently buff any persistent spots. Rinse and use the fresh cloth to completely dry the glass.
Pro tip: Clean with lemons
Why are lemons the ideal ingredient to clean glass shower doors? Steve Elliott, franchise owner of Restoration 1, water damage experts, relies on the acidic fruit. “Thanks to their high citric acid content, lemon juice will effectively remove hard water stains on shower doors.” And if you want that lemony-fresh smell outside of the bathroom, here are other household things you can clean with lemons.
In a spray bottle, combine hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Drench the doors and allow the cleaner to sit for 60 seconds before wiping it with a cloth. Rinse with water and dry with the fresh microfiber cloth.
Pro tip: Store your homemade cleaners safely
For easy identification, label the spray bottle as “glass cleaner” and keep it stored safely, out of the reach of children and pets. Looking for more ways to use rubbing alcohol? Keep it on hand to get hairspray off glass, erase permanent markers and more.
Add the ammonia and water to the spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the door and let it sit for two minutes. Rinse the door with water, then use the cloth to dry the glass. One of the most powerful cleaning tools in the household cleaning arsenal, ammonia can be used to remove soap scum and grease, clean oven racks and more.
Pro tip: Be careful with ammonia
As with all cleaning agents, too much exposure can be harmful to your skin or eyes. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves, and make sure the room is well ventilated to avoid breathing in fumes.
Wet the sponge side of the triangular scrubber. Apply gentle pressure with one finger while you scrub. Flip the scrubber to the solid side to wipe the glass.
Pro tip: Clean while you suds up
Want to save time? Portelli prefers to clean the shower while he’s using it, which means he looks for tools that are quick to use and don’t require chemicals.
Plug drain holes with cotton balls before pouring the vinegar in the track. Allow vinegar to sit three to five minutes before removing the cotton balls to drain. You can even use an old toothbrush to scrub away any debris, says Jen Stark of Happy DIY Home. She then uses a fresh microfiber cloth to blot it dry.
Cleaning expert Jimmy Olas says to wipe the tracks out more often. “This is something most people don’t pay enough attention to,” he says, “and that can lead to other issues, like mold.”
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