11 Tips To Clean A Glass Shower Door
An elegant glass shower door is the hallmark of a sophisticated bathroom. But retaining its pristine appearance is no walk in the park! Over time, this glass panel loses its spotless appearance and becomes a real eyesore for the users. This usually happens due to two reasons in particular – hard water and soap. Hard […] The post 11 Tips To Clean A Glass Shower Door appeared first on Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home..
An elegant glass shower door is the hallmark of a sophisticated bathroom. But retaining its pristine appearance is no walk in the park!
Over time, this glass panel loses its spotless appearance and becomes a real eyesore for the users. This usually happens due to two reasons in particular – hard water and soap.
Hard water and soap deposits mark the glass surface and leave stains that are difficult to remove. More often than not, people end up using harsh chemicals to undo the damage, but we believe in simple, natural techniques with promising results. So, here are our 11 tips for cleaning a glass shower door in the most effortless and satisfying way.
Without further ado, let’s get down to business.
Difference Between Hard And Soft Water
Before we get into the tips, we want to explain the cause of these ugly, stubborn stains on the shower door. The primary cause is hard water, especially for homeowners who live in regions with hard water supply. Unlike soft water, it has high amounts of dissolved minerals, including magnesium, calcium, chalk, and lime.
Unfortunately, maximum water supplied in the US is hard, especially in urban areas. It absorbs minerals and transforms into hard water while moving through the ground.
When these minerals mix with soap scum, they leave stains all over your glass doors. The best thing you can do to avoid this menace is to clean the glass surface regularly. Don’t let the spots conquer the whole door; act as soon as they start appearing.
What Is Soap Scum?
Soap scum typically has a waxy texture, consisting of soap particles, minerals from hard water, and calcium stearate. These elements react with one another, resulting in tough, water-insoluble stains on the shower door.
While it may seem a whole lot irritating, you can deal with it inexpensively, thereby avoiding the cost of replacing the door. You should start by cleaning the accumulated soap scum. Later, follow up on the cleaning routine after taking a shower. Doing so will prevent the occurrence of soap and mineral buildup in the future.
How To Prevent The Development Of Soap Scum?
With most cleaners, there’s a need for a final rinse after cleaning. This is mostly due to the hard water supply in the maximum regions of the US. Thus, this last wash, more often than not, leaves soap scum, tiny limescale particles, and watermarks on the shower screen after drying.
The best way to deal with it is by using a squeegee. You may already be using one to clean a windshield. Nevertheless, if you don’t have one, you could always get it in any local departmental store. Simply use the squeegee to wipe off the excess water on the glass after rinsing it.
Shower Glass Door Cleaning Supplies
Now, let’s take a look at a list of necessary and efficient cleaning supplies that will transform your shower door into a radiant and transparent glass panel. You can find each of these items online or at any home supplies store.
- Spray bottle
- Scrub sponge
- Glass cleaner
- Squeegee
- Cloth or microfiber towel
- Paper towel
- Newspaper
- Cleaners – white vinegar, dish soap, baking soda, lemon, peppermint, ammonia, tea tree, vodka, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide
Steps To Clean A Bathroom Shower Door
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Clean After A Hot Shower
Begin with cleaning right after taking a hot shower as the warmth and moisture allow you to remove soap scum easily. Alternatively, you could let the hot water run, producing enough steam to mist up the glass door.
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Use A Spray Bottle Or Sponge
No matter which cleaner you choose, the most convenient way of applying it is by spraying on the glass. So, pour the mixture in a spray bottle and aim the nozzle directly on the pesky stains.
Other than that, you may soak a sponge in the same solution and wipe the shower door. In case you are using commercial chemicals, your bathroom must be adequately ventilated. Also, depending on the cleaning agent, you may need gloves while working with a sponge.
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Start With The Exterior
Always begin cleaning from the edge of the door and end with the interiors. After spraying, let the solution sit for 10 to 30 minutes. Then wipe down the glass door with a water-soaked sponge till all the solution is washed away. Use a cloth, paper towel, squeegee, or microfiber towel to dry the doors.
11 Tips To Clean A Glass Shower Door
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Vinegar And Water
White vinegar is a fool-proof and effective cleaning agent that can work wonders on your shower door. It’s inexpensive and usually available at home. White vinegar is a practical solution that helps you remove all accumulated dirt from the surface without being hazardous to the environment or family members.
Simply pour and mix 1 part of white vinegar and 3 parts of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray it generously on the surface and let it sit for a while. Rinse with warm water after some time and wipe it clean with a cloth, paper towel or newspaper.
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Vinegar And Dish Soap
For making this solution, mix equal quantities of white vinegar and dish soap. Pour the mixture into a handheld sponge dispenser and wipe the shower glass door clean.
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Baking Soda And Vinegar
Make a paste of half-cup baking soda and white vinegar. Apply the paste generously on the offensive shower door glass and leave it on for at least 10 to 15 minutes. After that, wipe off the paste with a cloth or paper towel.
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Baking Soda And Water
Put about half a cup of baking soda on a cloth or hand towel and wipe the damp shower door with it. As soon as baking soda comes in contact with water, it forms a scum-fighting scrub. Let the reaction continue for a while and then clean it off with warm water.
Soon enough, your shower door will get back its original sheen, without any signs of the previous stains. For better results, you may rinse the glass surface with lemon juice or white vinegar.
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Lemon And Water
Tap into the extraordinary cleaning properties of citric acid to wipe off tough stains on your shower door. That said, lemon juice is an excellent surface cleaner, ensuring positive results with minimum effort. Besides, it smells fresh and pleasant when you take a bath after the cleaning session.
Get 2 to 3 lemons and squeeze them to extract the juice. You will be needing about 3 tablespoons of juice to mix with a cup of water. Pour the lemon juice infused water into a spray bottle and shake it vigorously for proper mixing.
After that, spray the solution on the shower door and leave it on for about five minutes. Then give it a final wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
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Vinegar, Baking Soda, And Salt
Use a spray bottle to apply white vinegar over the glass panel door. Give it a few minutes before applying a paste baking soda and salt on the same surface with a damp sponge. Again let it sit for some time before rinsing it clean.
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Peppermint And Vodka
This is another mixture that can deliver satisfying results. All you have to do is mix half a cup of vodka with 1 cup of water, and add about 8 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in it. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply generously on the glass door, every time after a shower.
Alternatively, you may use the solution for weekly cleaning sessions. We suggest spraying the cleaner everywhere in the shower cabin and later rinsing after 10 to 15 minutes.
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Ammonia And Water
DIY ammonia-based cleaners are known to be quite useful on ugly streaks and stains on glass shower doors. However, this is not for everyone, as the smell can be quite unpleasant.
But if you have made up your mind, simply combine two tablespoons of ammonia with warm water and fill up a spray bottle with this mixture. Wipe the door with this mixture and then clean up the surface with a dry microfiber cloth after about 3 to 5 minutes.
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Peppermint, Tea Tree, And Hydrogen Peroxide
The combination of peppermint and tea tree is a practical solution to eliminate mold and mildew growing in your shower cabin. For this, you’ll be needing 1 cup of water and half a cup of hydrogen peroxide.
Incorporate 8 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and an additional 10 drops of tea tree oil into the mixture. Spray the shower door and other areas inside the cabin affected with mold or mildew. Let it sit, then rinse the area after 1 to 2 hours.
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Commercial Cleaners
It may so happen that you live in an area that only gets hard water. In that case, homemade cleaners may not be powerful enough for the job. Fortunately, there are some non-abrasive cleaners on the market that can solve the issue in no time.
Firstly, you should make sure that the glass surface is completely dry. Then you can use any commercial cleaner with a pH range from 7 to 8. Let it rest for a few minutes before wiping it clean with a cloth or paper towels. We recommend wearing gloves during the cleaning process to protect your hands and skin from harsh chemicals.
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Hydrogen Peroxide And Rubbing Alcohol
Mix approximately half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with an equal part of rubbing alcohol. Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and dishwasher rinse aid each into the mixture. Fill it up in a spray container and pour some water to dilute it.
Swirl and mix gently to avoid forming foam inside the bottle. Apply it to the glass door, and use as much as required.
Final Words
That’s all for now, folks!
As mentioned earlier, the only way to keep the glass door of your shower stainless and sparkling is by regular cleaning. Every time you take a shower, try and notice if there are any spots on the glass. It takes some time for these marks to turn into persistent stains, so you must clean the surface before that happens.
Ultimately, it’s up to you which cleaner or technique you find most useful and convenient. Regardless, make sure to get all the necessary cleaning supplies as the efficacy of these cleaning solutions depends on the use of the right supplies. On that note, we will sign off.
Till next time, happy cleaning!
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The post 11 Tips To Clean A Glass Shower Door appeared first on Homesthetics - Inspiring ideas for your home..
