Having a glass shower enclosure is such an improvement over a shower curtain. It’s easier to clean, it lasts longer, and it makes every bathroom look more beautiful.
With just a little maintenance done regularly, a glass shower enclosure will look just as good as the day it was installed.
Today, we’re sharing our best glass cleaning tips and tricks to ensure that your bathroom always sparkles. We’ll let you know what to do—and what to avoid—when cleaning the glass in your bathroom.
Let’s get started!
How Best to Clean Glass Shower Doors
There are a variety of great options for cleaning glass, so feel free to experiment to find what’s right for your home. Here are our favorite tips.
#1 For regular cleaning, use vinegar and dawn.
Lots of people swear by this combination. Mix distilled vinegar and Dawn in a one-to-one ratio and scrub away with a non-scratch sponge. (Just be aware that this mixture can damage stone—so if your shower enclosure includes stone, it’s best to skip this one and use a different cleaner.)
#2 Clean while you shower.
This tip is helpful for a couple of reasons. First, you don’t have to worry about getting wet or spilling cleaner all over your clothes. Second, it will actually be easier for you to clean the shower door this way: the warm water from the shower will have loosened up the grime by the end of your shower—making it easier to scrub away.
#3 Squeegee after every shower.
You can prevent annoying and unsightly streaks from showing up on your glass shower door—just by getting into the habit of squeegeeing the door after every shower. After squeegeeing, do a quick wipe of the shower door with a microfiber cloth and—voila!—no more streaks.
#4 Use a toothbrush to clean nooks and crannies—like the tracks of sliding glass doors.
If dirt and mildew are starting to build up in the tracks of your shower door, an old toothbrush is the best way to clean it. Spray your cleaner directly onto the bristles or onto a paper towel wrapped around the head of the toothbrush, then scrub away!
#5 Soften your water.
Hard water is, well, hard on your shower. The minerals that are present in hard water will cause an excess of soap scum buildup on your shower door. If your water is extremely hard, consider installing a water softening system—not only will it save you cleaning time, it will also extend the life of your plumbing!
What to Avoid for Beautiful Shower Doors
There are a few things you might be doing that are sabotaging your efforts to keep a clean, beautiful bathroom. Here are a few things you should ditch today.
#1 Don’t use bar soap.
Soap scum—the white or gray film that builds up in the shower—occurs when the minerals in tap water mix with the paraffin and talc in bar soap. To cut down on the amount of soap scum that forms in your shower and tub, switch to a gel or liquid soap (which don’t contain the same scum-forming ingredients).
#2 Don’t let soap scum get out of control.
We get it: life gets busy! Still, it’s a good idea to try (as best as possible) to clean your glass shower enclosure regularly. Soap scum buildup isn’t just ugly: over time, it will actually etch into and permanently damage the glass. By doing a quick cleaning at least weekly and a deep cleaning every month or so, you’ll keep your shower looking like new.
#3 Don’t use any old towel or sponge.
If you’re not a cleaning aficionado, you might be grabbing the nearest towel and sponge to clean your shower. Stop! Using regular sponges—like the ones you use to scrub your dishes—can scratch the glass. Make sure your shower-cleaning sponges are labeled “non-scratch.” Regular bath towels and paper towels leave unsightly lint, so use microfiber towels instead.
#4 Don’t use vinegar, bleach, and ammonia-based cleaners together.
If you have one cleaner containing vinegar (like the spray we recommended above) or bleach and another containing ammonia (like Windex), make sure to never use them together. Mixing these chemicals can create fumes that are hazardous when inhaled.
Ready for a Bathroom Upgrade? Call Us!
If you’re tired of cleaning your old, moldy shower curtain, consider upgrading to glass! Your bathroom will look better for years to come.
We can help you create the bathroom of your dreams. Call the residential glass experts at Jack’s Glass: we do it all, from full-scale design help to professional installation.
