In this post, you will learn:
- What causes shower glass to get dirty
- The best times to clean your glass shower
- The top 10 cleaning hacks (and when to use them)
A modern glass shower can add a beautiful spa-like luxury to your bathroom.
However, the inevitable build-up of soap scum, water stains, grime and mildew can often “dampen” the experience.
Although glass showers are much more hygienic than shower curtains, they do still require some routine maintenance to keep them shiny, long-lasting and scum-free!
What Causes Shower Glass to Get Dirty?
Glass showers are exposed to a combination of hard water, soap, body oil, skin cells and dirt on a regular basis.
As the minerals in the water (such as calcium and magnesium) combine with our soap, they leave behind a gray-coloured film referred to as soap scum.
Unfortunately, this scum can become harmful to the glass and even ourselves, as it can play host for all sorts of bacteria.
When is The Best Time to Clean Glass Shower Doors?
While the most effective cleaning schedule would include daily, weekly and monthly maintenance tasks – it doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds.
Not only would a consistent cleaning schedule decrease the amount of scum build-up between showers, but it will also decrease the amount of time needed to scrub away the hard-to-clean areas that build up over time.
Thankfully, there are a few great tips and tricks that we can use to help make the process as painless as possible!
For one, it is always a great idea to clean your glass shower doors right after a hot shower.
As the steam and warm water have already loosened up any grime, you will have a much easier time removing any unwelcome dirt.
Since keeping your glass shower clean is the best way to prevent any long-lasting or hard-to-clean stains, we have prepared a list of the top 10 cleaning hacks for a scum-free glass shower (along with when to use them):
DAILY CLEANING HACKS:
1. Squeegee
Prevention is key when keeping your glass shower doors clean.
While mold and mildew require a damp environment to thrive, the best (and easiest) thing to do is to give the glass a good squeegee following every shower.
These inexpensive tools are available at any department or dollar store, and can easily be hung inside your shower for everyone to use.
How To Use This Hack:
Simply start from one of the top corners and drag the squeegee blade down along the glass to remove any water droplets or possibility of mildew growth.
2. DIY Spray
For some extra sanitization, you can also create your own eco-friendly cleaning spray to follow up your squeegee skills.
With some cheap, home-owned ingredients (such as vinegar and dish soap) you can easily whip together this helpful cleaning solution to keep your shower glass looking crystal clear.
How To Use This Hack:
Mix together 1 cup of water, ½ cup of vinegar, a dash of dish soap and 10-20 drops of your favourite essential oil (for an extra kick of aromatherapy).
3. Air Ventilation
Be sure to keep your bathroom well-ventilated to prevent the growth of mould and mildew.
This can be accomplished by opening a window, turning on the bathroom vent, or leaving your bathroom door open after finishing your shower.
How To Use This Hack:
Keep your shower door open when you are finished with it to release humidity when not in use.
You may also keep your bathroom vent on during your shower, and up to 30 minutes after you are done.
If these options are not available to you, you may also consider opening a window or using a dehumidifier when needed.
WEEKLY CLEANING HACKS:
Give your glass shower a good wipe-down once a week with these awesome cleaning hacks.
4. Vinegar
You can use vinegar to clean pretty well anything, and that is no exception to the soap-scum lurking in your shower!
Just as it was used in your daily DIY spray (mentioned above), you can also simplify the recipe to include one part white vinegar with three parts distilled water for an easy, inexpensive and environmentally-friendly solution to dirty glass showers.
How To Use This Hack:
Spray the vinegar and water mixture onto the glass and let it sit for up to 5 minutes.
Once dry, you can either rinse off the solution with warm water or wipe it down with a lint-free rag or towel!
5. Magic Eraser
The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is an excellent multi-purpose cleaning tool that can remove soap scum and mineral deposits from glass showers.
As it is safe to use on a range of surfaces (such as kitchen counters, walls, and of course – glass showers), the magic eraser is a powerful and versatile tool to keep around the house.
How To Use This Hack:
Moisten the magic eraser with warm water and squeeze to activate it. Rub the glass doors down from top to bottom until clean, and enjoy!
6. Dryer Sheets
As dryer sheets are made to soften water deposits, they are a great secret weapon against accumulated built up!
Consider recycling a few from your laundry loads, or use a fresh sheet to take advantage of the fresh smell it will leave behind!
How to Use This Hack:
Use a damp dryer sheet to wipe down the glass from top to bottom. Once you are done, you can go over the surface with a damp paper towel and admire the shine!
MONTHLY CLEANING HACKS
Give your glass shower a monthly deep clean by getting into those nooks and crannies. Here are a few great cleaning hacks to get the job done:
7. Commercial Cleaners
In some cases, the eco-friendly options just won’t cut it.
In cases where stains and scum are too hard to clean, it may be wise to consider a commercial cleaner that is specifically designed to clean glass showers.
Branded sprays such as Tilex or Scrub Free may be a great option, as they are made for the ease of daily use.
How to Use This Hack:
Using protective gloves, apply the cleaning solution to dry glass following the instructions on the bottle.
As some solutions need to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing, it is best to follow the direct instructions of each specific brand.
8. Pine-Sol
Pine-Sol is an excellent all-purpose cleaner that cleans, deodorizes and disinfects.
Used for surfaces and floors, it is an excellent cleaning product to keep in stock as it can be used all around the house as well!
How to Use This Hack:
Mix 1/8th cup of Pine-Sol with ½ gallon of warm water into a spray bottle, and spray it on the glass shower walls before wiping it down with a soft sponge or towel.
9. Rain X
Rain X Shower Door Water Repellent is an excellent product for preventing hard water stains, soap scum and grime.
While it was originally used to improve visibility for vehicle windows in extreme weather conditions, this advanced technology has worked wonders for keeping glass showers clean and streak-free.
Added bonus? Each treatment can last approximately 3 months!
How to Use This Hack:
In a well-ventilated area, apply Rain X Shower Door Water Repellent to a dry cloth or paper towel. In firm, circular and overlapping motions, rub the repellent into the clean and dry glass surface.
The glass should dry with a light haze, which can be removed with a dry cloth or paper towel until the glass is clear and shiny.
10. Toothbrush
The hardest part of cleaning a glass shower is reaching between the metal tracks.
As the creases are a prime target for soap scum, mould and dirt, having a small toothbrush designated to cleaning duty can be a helpful hack to have.
While sharper tools (such as a paint scraper) may be required if the build-up is too hard to clean, a regular cleaning routine shouldn’t require too much elbow grease.
How to Use This Hack:
Use a toothbrush to scrub the metal frame of your glass shower door.
For added help, consider combining this with any of the cleaning hacks listed above!
By combining these daily, weekly and monthly tips into your cleaning routine, you can be sure to never have a scum problem ever again.
