Cleaning Tips for Glass Shower Doors

Do you have an elegant glass shower door in your bathroom that’s covered in spots, stains and soap scum? With a little know-how and determination, you can keep your shower door sparkling! Following are some tips on how to clean and maintain your glass shower door.

What cleaner(s) should I use? 

There are many choices of cleaners to use when scrubbing your glass shower door. 

• White vinegar: Inexpensive and readily available, vinegar is a non-toxic choice. Combine warm white vinegar with a bit of liquid dish soap and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the glass door, wait 10 minutes, then wipe off with a soft cloth or sponge.
• Baking soda: Also inexpensive and readily available, baking soda has just the right amount of abrasive to help clean that stubborn soap scum. Mix baking soda with just enough water to create a thick paste. Rub the paste onto the glass with a soft cloth. Rinse with white vinegar. Rinse again with water. Alternatively, use vinegar and baking soda to make the paste. Leave on the glass for 20 minutes, then rinse well with water. 
• Lemon juice: Don’t like the smell of vinegar? Try lemon juice instead. Mix the juice of three lemons with a cup of distilled water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the shower. Wait ten minutes, then wipe with a soft clean spot. Rinse with fresh water. Another method; cut a lemon in half, dip it in baking soda and rub it on the glass door. Rinse well with water.
• Borax can be found in the laundry detergent aisle of your local grocery store. It’s slightly abrasive and perfect for cleaning glass. Make a thick paste of borax and a bit of water. Apply with a damp sponge, then rinse well with water. 
• A Magic Eraser can remove stains from surfaces without needing cleaning agents. To remove soap scum, dampen the Magic Eraser and wipe off the interior of your shower door. This works best immediately after you shower when the glass is warm and wet.
• Peppermint and vodka: Yes, it really works! Mix a half cup of vodka with one cup of water and ten drops of peppermint essential oil. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray the glass door of your shower. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse well with water.
• Peppermint, tea tree and hydrogen peroxide: This mixture is particularly good for removing mold and mildew. Mix one cup of water, a half cup of hydrogen peroxide and ten drops each of peppermint and tea tree essential oils. Spray on the shower door and leave for 1 to 2 hours. Then rinse with water.
• Standard glass cleaner will not remove soap scum but is useful for removing streaks after using one of the other cleaners. Use as per directions on the bottle. 

Steps for cleaning your glass shower door:

1. Fill a spray bottle with the cleaner of choice and use it to thoroughly saturate the glass.
2. Let the cleaner soak for at least 10 minutes, longer if there’s significant buildup.
3. Dip a scrub sponge into baking soda and scrub the glass. The baking soda acts as an abrasive, while the cleaner dissolves the hard water spots and soap scum.
4. Rinse with fresh water.
5. Dry the glass with a microfiber cloth. 
6. If the glass is streaky, use a glass cleaner to finish cleaning. 

Once it’s clean, how do I maintain my glass shower door?

The best way to keep your glass shower door clean is to reduce build-up. Try these preventative measures.

• Keep a squeegee in the shower and wipe down the glass after each use.
• Create a daily shower cleaner: Mix a half cup each of hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol, one tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid and one teaspoon liquid dish soap and place in a 32 oz spray bottle. Fill to top with distilled water and gently agitate. Spray on the glass after each shower and use the squeegee to remove. For a simpler daily cleaner; mix a half cup of vinegar, a few drops of dish soap and 10 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil with one cup of distilled water. Spray and squeegee after each shower.
• Switch soap: Choose a body wash, liquid soap or talc-free bar soap to reduce the build-up of soap scum. 
• Air it out: Allow your shower and bathroom to air out after each use. Leave the shower door open and run the bathroom fan for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Apply sealant: After deep cleaning the glass, apply a hydrophobic compound (a substance that repels water) such as CleanX Invisible Shield Glass and Surface Coating. 
• Soften your water: if you have hard water, invest in a home water softener. 

Does your glass shower door have a hopeless case of soap scum and grime? Has your sophisticated glass shower become a dirty smelly place? Do you wish your shower to sparkle? Prevent soap scum from forming. Regularly clean with the cleaner of your choice. Invest in a squeegee and use it frequently! Contact House of Mirrors and Glass for all of your glass shower door needs!