Shower doors require some serious care to maintain them. Cleaning them can be tricky if you're not careful.
You should know what kind of cleaning products work best on different types of glass/acrylic, and how to approach those stubborn stains that just won’t seem to budge.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Shower Door?
A glass shower door is one item in your house that will really get under your skin if you neglect it. You can either take care of it daily with something like this Wet and Forget daily shower cleaner, or end up with a huge project.
You should always wipe your glass shower doors after each use, as this will prevent streaks and soap scum.
If you’re busy and have no choice but to neglect your shower doors from time to time, you'll want to deep clean it at least once per month. If possible, wipe down residual water after each shower, or, at the very least, give it a mild scrub down once a week.
Hanging a squeegee inside your shower will make the cleaning process super easy and help you to remember to keep on top of things.
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What You Need To Clean
Squeegees are used to clean windows. They come in different sizes and shapes. A squeegee is made out of microfiber cloth or natural rubber. You will also need spray bottles, vinegar, dish soap, baking soda, and glass cleaner.
Creating A Mixture
Should you want to get rid of minor dirt stains without using harsh chemicals, consider using a mild detergent containing white vinegar. In order to make the washing formula, mix two parts white vinegar with one part washing liquid in a bottle.
Give it a good shake. If you're concerned about a strong vinegar solution, mix it with one part of water. However, we recommend using a stronger mixture for tougher stains.
Spray And Waiting
After you've mixed up your concoction, thoroughly coat the entire surface of your shower door with the solution, including any cracks or crevices that may be difficult to clean.
Let your homemade miracle cleaner sit for at least 30 minutes, or until you notice that it has penetrated the soap scum.
If you don't want to use soap, then mix a small amount of lemon juice into some water. This will help remove stubborn soap scum from surfaces.
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Cleaning And Rewashing Again
After waiting for at least 30 minutes, use a soft sponge to remove all of the mixture from your doors, and use a microfiber cloth if there’s any leftover residue.
The best way to get rid of mold is with a bleach solution. Mix equal parts chlorine bleach and water. Dip a rag into the mixture and wipe down your shower walls.
The bleach should kill off the mold spores. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your skin from the bleach.
If you want to remove rust stains, try rubbing them with steel wool or using a wire brush.
If you have hard water deposits, it's time to call in the professionals. Hard water leaves behind minerals that cause staining and spots.
To prevent future issues, keep your bathroom window open during showers so moisture can escape rather than settle on surfaces.
Try Out Some Baking Soda
If you haven't been taking care of your doors for a while, they might need some extra attention before they're ready to be opened again.
If the vinegar mixture isn't enough to cut through the scum, dip a sponge into a bowl of baking soda and use it as a scrubber to get rid of the scum.
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that helps remove dirt from surfaces when vinegar alone doesn't.
It's good at removing grease stains too. Just don't leave it in contact with metal or plastic for more than 10 minutes or so because it could cause damage.
You can also try using a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub away stubborn spots.
Getting Your Shower Doors Shiny
After cleaning off any remaining scum, it's time to give the door a good polish. Spray your door down with a bottle of commercial glass cleaning solution and focus on any remaining streaks. Wipe it clean with a microfiber cloth.
If you want to avoid your glass fogging up, don't leave it sitting out. After using a glass cleaner, wipe off any excess with a soft cloth.
Should you be dealing with plastic doors rather than glass, feel free to give them a buff with a microfiber towel, but your homemade solution will have done most of the heavy lifting.
Maintaining Your Shower Door
The best way to prevent a deep clean with your bathroom shower doors is by wiping them down after every shower, so they don't get dirty again.
Starting at the top corner, carefully clean the window using a squeegee until there is no water on the glass or acrylic. Then wipe it down with a towel or rag. If you have any streaks left, use some rubbing alcohol to remove them.
If you want to keep your shower door looking like new for longer, consider adding a little bit of shine. Use a few drops of clear silicone sealant to give your shower door a nice sheen. This will help protect the surface from scratches and other damage.
If you're having trouble removing stubborn stains, try using a mixture of bleach and ammonia. Mix equal amounts of each chemical together, and then add enough water to create a paste-like consistency.
Apply this solution directly onto the stain, open the windows, and leave it overnight. The next day, scrub off the residue with a sponge.
You may not be able to completely remove all the dirt that has accumulated over time. However, if you apply a coat of wax regularly, you should be able to keep it from sticking around as long.
For example, you could mix up a batch of homemade wax polish and apply it once a month.
You can also try using a commercial product such as Clear Wax. Just follow the instructions on the label to ensure that it's safe for your specific type of glass.
Summary
Having read this guide all the way through, you should now be able to clean your shower doors with ease. All the methods we have given you will work in removing tough stains and grime.
Take your time and make sure you follow each instruction carefully so that you can enjoy a freshly cleaned shower door.