Shower doors are aesthetically appealing and a much better alternative to shower curtains. They add a touch of class and elegance to a bathroom, and they are much easier to clean and maintain than shower curtains.
But now and then, they need a good clean. Soap scum, hard water stains, and other dirt are nasty and gross. Plus, over time, they can cause permanent damage. If you notice your glass showers appear cloudy, this means they are dirty.
Cleaning them will eliminate the dirt buildup, but if they are permanently damaged, you may need to replace them. To cut on the costs of replacing damaged shower doors due to dirt buildup, you need to clean them regularly.
Some people use squeegees to remove water spots and dirt, but a squeegee may not cut it if you are dealing with stubborn buildup. This is where cleaning agents come in. We are not talking about hardcore cleaning agents, but mild, powerful cleaning agents capable of removing mineral buildup, soap scum, and other dirt with relative ease.
Harsh cleaning agents can damage your shower doors and should be avoided. Use simple kitchen ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda, which are great at removing stubborn dirt and stains. They are not corrosive or harmful, and they are easy to use.
These ingredients are best used when you are doing a deep clean. If you have the time to clean your shower doors every day, we recommend using a squeegee or microfiber cloths.
Deep Cleaning your Shower Doors
A deep clean is only necessary if you are dealing with mildew, soap scum, and dirt buildup. And the safest and cheapest way to remove them is by using white vinegar or baking soda.
You may decide to use dishwashing soap, but brace yourself for a time and energy-consuming task because before the shower door becomes sparkly clean, your hands will throbbing and aching from all the scrubbing.
Spare yourself the drama and use a simple vinegar or baking soda recipe that will loosen the buildup and make the cleaning process super easy.
Cleaning with Vinegar
Take some vinegar and mix with some hot water, and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Use the bottle to spray the solution all over the shower door. Make sure to place an old cloth underneath the shower door to catch any drips.
Let the solution sit for about an hour to allow the acetic acid in the vinegar to dissolve the buildup. Then using a non-abrasive scouring pad or scrubbing sponge, gently scrub the shower door; you’ll find that the dirt is coming off relatively easy, and then rinse with cold or hot water.
Cleaning with Baking Soda
Mix some baking soda with warm water to make a paste. Apply the paste all over your shower door and let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Use a non-abrasive scouring pad to scrub off the dirt. It should come off easily, and you won’t need to use a lot of effort to get it off.
Rinse with cold and warm water.
Additional cleaning tricks
Aside from vinegar and baking soda, you can also use lemon juice and salt water to remove hard water stains and dirt buildup.
Cleaning with Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is commonly used as a cleaner because citric acid acts as bleach. Take some lemon juice and mix it with some warm water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, and spray the entire glass. Make sure to get the solution even in the tightest spaces.
Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes, then spray the shower door with the solutions again, and using a squeegee or a microfiber cloth, wipe to remove the loosened dirt buildup. Rinse the shower door with clean warm or cold water and let it dry or dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Cleaning with Salt water
Fill a small bucket or bowl with warm water and salt and mix well. Take a sponge or a non-abrasive scouring pad, dip it in the solution, and scrub the door in gentle circular motions to remove any hard water spots and dirt buildup.
Do this until you are satisfied that you have got all the dirt off. Rinse with warm water and let the door dry.
How to prevent hard water stains and dirt build on shower doors
Cleaning shower doors is not a fun or exciting activity. It can be laborious and time-consuming. To help prevent hard water stains and dirt build on your shower doors, use a squeegee or a towel to dry the shower doors after showering.
You should also consider installing a water softening system if you live in an area with hard water to help prevent calcium buildup and hard water stains.
Open the bathroom window or if you have a fan in your bathroom, turn it out to help prevent water spots.
Conclusion
Now that you have an idea on how to clean your shower door with basic kitchen ingredients try out some simple everyday practices like opening the bathroom window after taking a shower to help prevent water spots. Or using a squeegee to dry your shower door to help prevent dirt buildup and hard water stains.
