If you’re a busy person, you probably don’t have much time in your schedule to clean your shower glass. However, you don’t need to stress over those hard water and soap scum stains on your glass during what should be your “me time.” There are easy ways to help prevent and remove residue from your shower door glass to keep it looking clean and pristine.

 

Why Does Shower Glass Get Dirty?

 

Hard water is high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium carbonates that appear when water encounters limestone or chalk deposits. When the hard water mixes with your soap, it can leave stains on your shower door glass called soap scum. Soap scum can be harmful to the glass and take away from the aesthetic of your bathroom. Glass is porous, allowing those hard water minerals to seep into the glass over time and cause corrosion. Keeping it clean is the best way to prevent any long-lasting or hard-to-remove stains.

Soap scum is different from mildew, which is a thin coating made up of fungal hyphae. It grows in warm, damp places. Your bathroom is the perfect breeding ground, especially around the edges of your shower door where the glass meets the frame. Mildew can be harmful, and you will want to get rid of it as soon as possible using a solution with chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. You don’t need to scrub, just spray the solution onto the area with mildew and wipe it away.

 

Shower Clean and Maintenance Tips

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There are several tips and tricks to keeping your shower door clan from soap scum.

• Use the Squeegee

Even if your door glass has hydrophobic or protective coating, it will still require maintenance. Even if your shower door doesn’t contain a coating to prevent residue build-up, using a squeegee will still help prevent water and soap stains. Using the squeegee every day keeps the glass clean. It’s not a time-consuming chore, but should be made into habit by everyone who uses the shower.

Make sure to squeegee soon after you’ve finished your shower. Start from one of the top corners and put slight pressure onto the squeegee as you drag it down the glass. The water should run down the glass as you pull. Repeat this, overlapping the area you dried about two inches, until you’ve removed all the water droplets on your shower glass. Dry the rubber blade in between each pull so the squeegee doesn’t leave streaks and rubber marks.

 

• Vinegar and Water

This is and inexpensive and easy way to keep your shower clean in and environmentally friendly way. Just mix one-part white vinegar with three parts distilled water and put the mixture into a spray bottle so you can store the solution easily. Spray the water and vinegar onto the glass and let it sit on the door for up to five minutes if the soap scum or hard water stain appears tough to remove. Spray more solution if it appears to be drying. Then rinse the solution with warm, distilled water or wipe it off with a lint-free towel, rag or paper towel. Newspaper is also a good cleaning material that won’t cause glass streaks. Always use non-abrasive material when cleaning and drying your shower glass.

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• Commercial Cleaners

There are several commercial glass cleaners on the market that can clean the tough stains vinegar and water may not be able to remove. You can find these in your local grocery store. For high-performance glass cleaning products, check with your local shower glass company. First, dry your glass, then use non-abrasive cleaner with a pH of seven to eight. Some cleaners may advise you to leave the solution on the glass for several minutes. When scrubbing or lightly cleaning your glass, avoid scouring pads, sharp instruments or using acid-based cleaners that can damage the glass coating. Use a lint-free towel, rag or paper towel instead to protect your glass and prevent streaks. Consider wearing gloves to protect your skin from chemicals when cleaning with these solutions.

 

• Leave the Door Open

Leaving the bathroom door open after a shower will allow air to circulate and aid in water evaporation. This will also prevent mildew build-up in other areas of the bathroom. If your shower is not properly ventilated, keep your shower door open to release humidity when not in use. If you do have a vent, turn it on before starting your shower. If you do not, consider having a vent installed to protect your shower glass and bathroom from potentially harmful mildew and mold.