How to Clean Glass Shower Doors With Hard Water Stains
One of the most frustrating clean-up tasks that seems to be a constant chore for homeowners is getting rid of soap scum from glass shower doors. Why is that?
Because soap scum is a stubborn combination of water hardness, fatty acids from skin and oil, and soap residue. If you clean the doors regularly, then the scum will not stick as much.
Cleaning shower glass is relatively easy, and it should take you no more than a few hours on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Although, learning how to clean glass shower doors with general household items you likely already have on hand is the name of the game.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what you’ll need, and the most effective methods to clean your glass shower doors without the use of nasty chemicals.
What You’ll Need
In order to clean your glass shower doors, you will need the following supplies:
First, wipe down your glass shower door with a towel to remove any excess dirt and debris.
Once you’ve completed a quick prep and gathered everything you’ll need, you can choose one of the following methods for a sparkling clean shower door.
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors – DIY Method
There are a bunch of DIY methods with household products to can use for a sparkling streak-free shower door finish. Here are a few DIY options to clean your entire shower without having to make a trip to the store.
What Cleans Glass Shower Doors the Best?
To clean glass shower doors, the best product to use is a mixture of lemon and baking soda. This mixture will get rid of the soap scum and mildew stains without damaging the glass or leaving behind any streaks.
Soap scum forms from hard water minerals that are left on the surface by the soap. Mildew occurs when bacteria form in a moist environment, whether that be on a stainless steel kitchen sink or glass shower door in your bathroom.
Baking soda helps cut through the grime and also disinfects. Plus, this cleaning solution is super easy to make, and literally cost pennies to manufacture in the comfort of your own kitchen or bathroom.
How Do I Clean Shower Doors With Lemon?
Cut a lemon in half and dip cut sides in baking soda. Rub on each side at each glass door opening. The acid in the lime reacts with baking soda to make soft and firm foams, which work like magic to clean smudges and marks. Then simple rinse clean.
If you want to clean your glass shower doors with ease, baking soda is the answer.
Baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used in many different ways around the house, from scrubbing grills clean to getting rid of odors in your fridge.
Step-By-Step: Lemon and Baking Soda Method
Step 1: Mix it Up
Begin by mixing lemon with baking soda to make a paste. To effectively make this formula, you will want to pour the baking soda into a bowl. Then squeeze about five lemons into the bowl and stir the mixture for a few minutes until you’ve got yourself a consistent paste.
Step 2: Apply the Paste
Next, you will want to brush or wipe the baking soda paste onto your glass shower door in an even layer. Be sure to work it into any nooks or crannies left by soap scum and other sediments. Allow it to sit for as long as possible before scrubbing.
Step 3: Rinse Away
Once the scrubbing and whatnot are out of the way, you’ll need to thoroughly rinse clean the glass with cold water. Then simply wipe dry your pretty-looking doors with a dry paper towel or squeegee if you have one.
Step 4: Remove Residue
Once your shower door has been cleaned, use the same damp paper towel to wipe down any remaining baking soda residue on the glass or tile surfaces of your shower.
Step 5: The Finishing Touch
To finish cleaning and prevent soap scum build-up in future showers, wipe down your entire shower with a microfiber and an all-natural glass cleaner like Better Life’s Natural All-Purpose Cleaner.
This process may take a little elbow grease at first, but you’ll be surprised by how clean this method leaves your glass shower doors!
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors With Vinegar?
White vinegar and dish-washing powder help re-clean the exterior of a bath or toilet as soon as possible and eliminate germs.
If the water in your shower is built from stone your shower is more vulnerable to developing a nasty smell. Instead, mix liquid soap and baking soda until frosting meets that quality.
Rinse out a solution using water and a damp sponge. Dry the glass using a microfibre cloth. Use caution to clean shower door handles when cleaning with vinegar says Kris Koenig CEO of Natura Clean who warns: Vinegar may harm stone-making shower doors.
For DIY shower door cleaners mix with warm black alcohol and diluted dish detergent.
Step-By-Step: Vinegar and Warm Water Method
Step 1: Make Your Mixture
Firstly, you’ll need to fill the bathtub with warm water (about 1-inch) and add 2 cups (heaped) of vinegar to it. Ideally, you’ll be aiming to make a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water.
Step 2: Apply the Vinegar Solution
Once you’ve crafted your vinegar solution, apply it to clean glass doors with a clean sponge or clean cloth. Let the solution sit for at least ten minutes.
This method is great because it’s super cheap and doesn’t contain any soaps. It will not remove all of the scum, but is a good start!
FYI, the scrub sponge should be dipped and soaked in the mixture before you begin cleaning.
Step 3: Scrub to Perfection
Once you’ve allowed the vinegar solution to work its magic on your grimmie-looking glass shower door, you’ll want to use a sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub the glass clean.
Step 4: Simple Rinse
After all that huffing and puffing, you’ll want to then rinse the glass thoroughly with cold water. I’d recommend you give the glass a good go-over as the vinegar solution can leave a lingering odor if not removed entirely.
Step 5: The Finishing Touch
Next, use a squeegee until you can see nothing but your own pretty reflection in your sparking glass shower door. Simple stuff, but highly satisfying once you get to sit back and admire that mirror finish.
How Do I Clean a Shower Door Track?
Any edge or track that leads to a bathtub door needs maintenance. These creases are prime targets for mold and trapped soap-based scum.
Use a toothbrush to remove metal frames that have a metal finish. A paint scraper can help remove gunk where metal meets a shower and door.
If carefully applied to the blade a razor scraper will effectively remove mineral streaks from the metal. Make sure you use a clean and sharp knife that is held at a 45-degree angle to help prevent scratching the Glass.
A similar technique can be applied to scrape off the glass behind the shower doors.
Fuller Shower Track & Grout Brush
- Ditch that old disgusting toothbrush and get your hands on a track and grout brush that will eliminate grime and mold with ease.
- Equipped with a narrow brush head design that allows you to access tough to reach places be it deeper door tracks or awkward corner spots.
- High-quality made brush with polypropylene bristles that is tough on bathroom grime & gunk, yet gentle enough on delicate surfaces.
- Fitted with a 5½-inch sturdy handle on a shower brush that has been designed to clean shower track doors to perfection.
How Often Should I Clean Glass Shower Doors?
Hard water spots develop when drops of liquid dry on the glass and mold and mildew tend to grow in damp climates. It’s important to avoid glass spillage and stains when cleaning your shower doors.
Plan to wipe down your doorways after your bath is complete every day. Spray doors with a water repellent spray or install a water softening system to reduce mineral build-up.
Cross multiple chores off your list by cleaning shower tiles, walls, floors, and shower doors at once. Conducting household chores via a calendar in one single sweep with a cleaning partner can speed up the process.
If you need additional assistance for cleaning your shower doors, there are a few options for amazing looking glass shower doors. Professional glass cleaners work well in removing water spots and soap scum from shower doors, leaving them streak-free and shiny.
How Do I Keep My Shower Door Clean?
Ideally, it’s recommended that you use a squeegee on your glass shower doors every morning and or evening after showering. Everyday OCT cleaning like this will eliminate the need for a marathon weekend clean, as you won’t have a massive amount of bathroom scum build-up to remove.
In short, the soap and hard water stains will be far easier to get rid of.
Remember that you must keep a bathroom door open and allow air in. Clean the toilet opening with a microfiber cloth to remove any surplus water. Use a squeegee to cover every surface of the entrance until you reach the top corner of the shower curtain.
Clean up the door and scrub away with clean water.
For years, people have used sprays and harsh chemicals to clean off soap scum from their glass shower doors. The use of chemicals and abrasive cleaners is both inconvenient and dangerous, as it can damage your skin.
Another disadvantage to chemical substances is that they require a drying time of at least 20 minutes before you are able to enter the shower. Using these chemicals is also harmful to the environment.
The Bottom Line
It’s important to clean your glass shower door with care. A dirty, smudged, or scratched-up surface will make it difficult for you to see the beauty of your bathroom and may also harbor bacteria that can lead to illness.
Keeping a well-maintained home shower is not only good for hygiene but also helps create an inviting atmosphere in your home.
To keep things looking their best, use these tips on how to wash a clear glass window without streaks!
