How to Clean the Shower for a Perfect Shiny Bathroom [5 Steps]

Last updated on October 14, 2024

How to clean your shower area and keep it shiny? Here are five of the most effective ways to achieve the perfect cleanliness. Read on!

Bathroom shower area are infamous for collecting abhorrent amounts of dirt, grime, and soap scum. Since they’re naturally damp places, the steam, soap, shampoo, and water accumulate over time to form these ridiculously stubborn stains. All these deposits can be quite difficult to get rid of, especially when they’ve been there for a long time. However, with the proper cleaning solution and some scrubbing, you can restore your shower area to its earliest glory. So, here are 5 steps for effective cleaning bathroom shower area. 

Spray with a Solution of Water and Vinegar on the Glass of Bathroom Shower Doors

spray clean

Many of the commercially available cleaning solutions for household maintenance purposes are highly effective for removing soap scum. With that said, those cleaning agents can be incredibly harmful to you and your household members. 

Mostly, these solutions contain harsh chemicals and toxic substances that can be dangerous. This is particularly true if you have pets or small children who might inhale these hazardous compounds. Not only that, but the more efficient a cleaning agent is, the higher your chances of developing respiratory problems. 

In addition to that, they could also trigger headaches and allergic reactions. So, if your bathroom shower doors are really dirty, you might want to ditch the chemicals. Instead, opt for a homemade cleaning solution. Not only is it incredibly cost-effective, but it’s just as potent and much safer to use. 

The first step is to prepare your vinegar solution. Since vinegar is acidic by nature, it can eliminate germs, fungus, and bacteria. This makes it ideal for cleaning unkempt shower doors. Start by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle. 

Then work on spraying both sides of your shower doors, front and back. Depending on how large your shower is, you might need a higher volume of this solution. Now that you’ve sprayed the vinegar everywhere, allow for it to work. This can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. It all depends on how much soap scum, grime, and built-up reside there is.

Fill a Cleaning Bucket with Clean Water

After spraying your magic solution, there are several ways to go about this. You can get in the shower and multitask. So, you shower while at the same time the hot water and steam work their way through the dirt layers. Or you can grab a big bucket filled with clean water and get scrubbing. 

First, you need to put your rubber gloves on to avoid any skin irritation. Even when distilled, white vinegar is still quite powerful and can cause your skin to chafe. So if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to rashes and allergic reactions, make sure you’re well prepared. 

Now that you’re all geared up, get a big sponge, dip it in water, and start scrubbing. Start with the exterior areas of your shower enclosure and work your way around. Then you can move on to the interior, which will have probably collected more dirt than the outside. 

Soap scum can be quite stubborn to remove so continue with your vigorous scrubbing. Don’t forget about the space where the shower doors overlap, because you want to clean those as well.

Cleaning Nooks of Bathroom Tiles and Rollers of the Sliding Shower Door with an Old Toothbrush

clean tile with toothbrush

You might think that all that rabic scrubbing was the hardest part of the process. The sad news is you’re far from being done. The nooks and crannies of your sliding shower doors can collect so much mold, dirt, and grime. However, don’t give up just yet! 

Thankfully, there’s an easy and convenient way to get rid of all that buildup and residue in a matter of minutes. First, grab an old toothbrush and squeeze a dollop of toothpaste into it. Next, start scrubbing the metal tracks to lift any soap scum or grime. Once you start to see the shiny exterior of your runners then it’s probably time to stop. 

Now get your vinegar solution and start spraying the metal tracks for a flawless finish. If you missed quite a few spots or the runners are still holding onto the dirt, leave this solution overnight. On the other hand, if the tracks look quite clean and polished, you can rinse them off with clean water.

Dry It Using a New and Clean Towel

clean shower with cloth

If you see that your bathroom shower doors are spotless, you can proceed with the drying part. However, as disappointing as it is, if there’s still some soap scum on the surface, revisit the previous steps. 

Now, if you have a squeegee, that would be perfect for eliminating excess water and moisture. This step is especially important if you choose to add a rain repellant afterward. Regularly squeegeeing the glass doors will prevent soap scum and hard water stains from building up. 

The same goes for regular cleaning and maintenance. The more you do it, the less vigorous the scrubbing will be. Be that as it may, if you don’t have a squeegee on deck, a clean towel will do the job. So choose a towel with preferably fewer fibers so no streaks or patches remain visible. Finally, wipe the glass both from the interior and exterior for optimal results.

Use Baby Oil Where Needed

For that flawless and polished look, you need to ensure that your shower doors are well varnished. So if you don’t have any rain or liquid repellent, baby oil is just as effective, and it smells nice. First, take a clean cloth. Then pour your baby oil until the cloth is fully saturated and start wiping down in circular motion. Baby oil, or even lemon oil, is a great way to prevent hard water stains from accumulating. This will ultimately reduce the time you have to spend cleaning your shower doors. In addition to that, it provides excellent protection against dirt and leaves your bathroom smelling fresh.

Follow these 5 easy steps to get your shower doors looking spotless and as good as new!

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