Clean your glass shower door (in no time) with a DIY cleaning solution to restore clarity and shine.
Natalie Perez has been a writer and multimedia designer for five years. Highlights: * Began her career as an editorial intern at Real Simple * She is currently the senior designer of digital experience at American Airlines. Glazed Tempered Glass
Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation.
Haley is a Wisconsin-based creative freelancer and recent graduate. She has worked as an editor, fact checker, and copywriter for various digital and print publications. Her most recent position was in academic publishing as a publicity and marketing assistant for the University of Wisconsin Press
Knowing how to clean glass shower doors is crucial if you want a sparkling clean bathroom. While glass shower doors and walls are stylish and practical (showcasing beautiful tile work), they also get dirty frequently. After every shower, water droplets, shower products, and body soil cling to their surface.
If you aren't diligent about cleaning your glass shower door and removing the splatters after every shower, soap scum created by the minerals in the water, soap, and body soil can permanently etch the glass, leaving a foggy mess. One option is to use a soap scum remover. Or, follow these steps for a clean glass shower door that shines, using a cleaning solution made with household items.
Glass shower doors should be cleaned after every use. This is the best way to keep them clean. Just a quick spray with a DIY or commercial shower cleaner that is then removed with a squeegee keeps soap scum from accumulating. You can also spray your shower door with a daily glass cleaner that doesn't even need to be wiped off or squeegeed.
Or skip using cleaners and simply wipe the surface clean to remove water and buildup. If daily cleaning is not manageable, deep clean your glass shower door weekly—at a minimum.
Distilled white vinegar contains acetic acid that will cut through soap scum; however, the acid can damage unsealed natural stone. Do not use this method on showers with stone.
Mix two parts of distilled white vinegar with two parts of distilled water in a spray bottle. Add 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to help the solution cling to the glass.
Starting at the top of the glass door, liberally spray the solution onto the glass. Let the solution work for at least five minutes to break down the soap scum. If you use this cleanser after every shower while the glass is wet, there is no need to wait.
Starting at the top, use a non-abrasive sponge or squeegee to wipe the glass down. If the vinegar solution has dried, add a bit more.
If using a sponge for cleaning, rinse the glass with water, then dry it with a lint-free microfiber towel. If you are cleaning with a squeegee, use the towel to remove any smudges or smears.
Lemon juice contains citric acid (not as strong as the acetic acid in vinegar) and can be used for daily cleaning. However, even though it is milder, it should not be used around natural stone showers.
Mix equal parts lemon juice and distilled water in a spray bottle. Add 1/4 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
Start at the top of the glass door and spray the surface with the solution. Let it work for about five minutes.
Starting at the top, wipe the glass with a non-abrasive sponge or squeegee. Working from the top down helps avoid smudging and streaks.
Rinse away any solution with water. (If using a squeegee, rinsing may not be necessary.) Use a microfiber towel to dry the glass and remove streaks and smudges.
Shower door tracks catch all of the soap scum and dirt that slides down the glass. Be sure to clean them each time you deep clean the glass shower doors.
Locate the drainage hole or slit in the shower door track. Plug it with an old washcloth or paper towel.
Pour undiluted distilled white vinegar into the track. Let it sit and work for at least four hours or overnight.
Once the vinegar has been allowed to break down the soap scum, unplug the drainage holes to drain the vinegar. Use a toothbrush to scrub away the soap scum and dirt.
Rinse the shower door track with distilled water. Scrub again (if needed) with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar. Rinse and dry with a microfiber towel.
If you haven't cleaned your shower door regularly, the soap scum or water spotting from minerals can be tough to remove. After cleaning the door using vinegar or lemon juice, tackle the water stains with either gentle abrasives or more potent cleaners for glass shower doors. If one method doesn't work, move to the next one.
Ammonia is a common ingredient in commercial shower and bathroom cleaners. It has a very strong odor and should not be combined with other cleaning products. However, it is effective on water stains. Open a window and be sure to have ventilation when cleaning with ammonia.
To help your shower door stay clean longer, try these tips.
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