How can you clean your shower screen and keep it clean? This how-to guide will show you the best way to keep it looking new.
Glass always looks amazing when it is clean! You want to keep your shower screen or frameless glass door looking nice as a highlight in your house. However, that’s not always simple.
Your shower glass is constantly exposed to contaminants and debris that may cause buildup and discoloration. Even constant exposure to soap scum, hard water, shampoos, and body oils may stain the shower screens gradually.
The worst thing is you cannot use aggressive cleaning chemicals to wash it. Because that may wind up staining and make the situation worse.
That’s why we created this comprehensive guide on cleaning shower screens and keeping them clean forever.
You Need to Know This First Before Cleaning Shower Screens
Before you start cleaning, you must know what kind of shower screen you have and how damaged it is. Though we recommend Budget Shower Screens Brisbane made of glass, you may have a screen made of metal or polystyrene. Our tips will work with either type of shower screen.
Next, you have to investigate what makes your clear shower screen cloudy and dull.
● Stage-I Corrosion
If your shower screen is discolored, it’s probably because of your area’s “hard water” (density of calcium and magnesium carbonates). These minerals build up slowly.
A buildup of soap scum on your shower screen can also make it dirty. It gives the glass a hazy look but doesn’t stain it. These types of accumulation and buildup are defined as Stage-I corrosion and can be cleaned off the surface.
● Stage-II Corrosion
When you don’t clean the surface regularly, the deposits remain on the glass. When water gets overly alkaline, hydrogen ions loosen silicon ions in the shower screen, causing pits to form on the surface. The water’s sodium and calcium ions get attached to the glass’s surface.
Stage II corrosion occurs when minerals begin to eat away at the glass, causing a stain that is significantly more difficult to remove. Because soap scum is alkaline, it aids in the process.
Don’t understand this chemical process? Don’t worry. There is no way to tell how far your shower screen is damaged without trying to clean it yourself.
In the next part of the blog post, you’ll learn to clean Stage-I corrosion using some essential household cleaning tools. If these clean your glass, that’s great! You can stop right there. If they don’t work, your shower screen probably has Stage-II corrosion, and you will have to move on to the next steps.
Tips on Cleaning Stage-I Corrosion (with Household Products)
Before you begin, take a snapshot of the glass to compare the effectiveness of each procedure. Alternatively, you may work on a small glass area, then rinse and dry it before comparing it to the remainder of the glass.
1. Vinegar
White vinegar, to be precise. It is an essential component of every household. And it can also be the best cleaner for your shower screen.
Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the glass panel. Using a non-starch sponge, apply the mixture to the screen before washing it off with warm water. It will wash off all the buildup.
2. Fabric Softener
Do you have fabric softener in your washer and dryer? All you need is one liter of water and some fabric softener. This combination will efficiently remove soap scums and residue from your glass door.
Rub the mixture over the glass door with a sponge, then rinse with warm water. If you have a dryer, you can also wipe the dryer sheets on the glass shower door. It aids in the removal of soap scum.
3. Salt and Lemon Juice
If you have a metal shower door, try this solution before any others. This will remove all the rust formations that may cause your glass to seem old and unclean.
Combine two teaspoons of salt and one tablespoon of lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the metal places where rust is developing using a toothbrush. Keep it for some time, and then rinse with warm water.
4. Scraper Blade
This one is not a solution but what I consider the most underrated cleaning tool. These are mainly used as window cleaners and paint scrapers; however, we can also use them to remove buildup from shower screens.
Make sure the blade is fresh and clean, then hold it straight and apply uniform pressure. Always use a scraper blade after wetting the glass to avoid scratching. Scrape in one direction only, not back and forth.
5. Bicarbonate of Soda
You probably have bicarbonate of soda on hand. You may have used it to clean bathroom tiles but may not know how to use it to clean a shower screen. Bicarbonate of soda is a natural deodorizer as well as a cleaner for shower screens.
Wet the shower screen first, then clean it using a cloth soaked in bicarbonate of soda. The soda will turn into a paste and remove mineral deposits, limescale, and soap scum effectively. When you’re through, rinse and appreciate your work.
6. Oven Cleaner
Finally, try using oven cleaner. It’s best to avoid breathing in the non-caustic foamy kind. And as a way, test in a small area first, and avoid getting any on the aluminum trim, as this might harm it.
The procedure is also simple. Wipe off the shower screen with a soft towel/clothing. Keep it for some time, and then rinse with water.
That’s it. Hopefully, one of these solutions has worked for you already. You don’t need to be overwhelmed by the options here. For most scenarios, trying one or two of the solutions should work.
Tips on Cleaning Stage-II Corrosion (with Professional Tools)
If you haven’t been able to remove the mineral accumulation already, your glass is probably stained and contains Stage-II corrosion. Let’s dig into our bag for the next set of tricks.
[Disclaimer: Some of the procedures below require polishing the shower screen glass in some fashion, while others need the use of power tools. You may want to delegate this task to experts. Proceed cautiously and with care.]
1. Oil
This is a temporary solution to give your shower screen a good shine. Try using essential oils like goanna oil or eucalyptus cleanser. You can also try cheaper alternatives like lemon and orange oils to remove soap residue from shower screens.
However, you shouldn’t do this too often since it might harm the surface. It should only be done every two weeks.
2. Sandpaper
You might also use superfine-grade sandpapers of 5000 to 7000 grit to polish your glass and remove any scratches.
Proceed cautiously. Start small and make sure you’re not harming the glass before moving on to a bigger area. If done unevenly, this might completely ruin the look of the glass.
3. Metal Polish
Another way to polish your glass’s etching is with a metal polish. Apply the cream with a moist cloth to a small area to ensure it is working. The glass should appear new if the etching isn’t too bad.
If none of these ways work, your shower screen is too badly scratched to be fixed. If you can’t live with it as it is, your only alternative is to replace it.
How to Avoid Dirt Build-Up on Shower Screens
Prevention is better than cure, isn’t it? Here are some ways to keep your glass always looking like new:
1. Buy a Squeegee
You shouldn’t allow mineral buildup on your shower screen in the first place. The best option is to keep a squeegee in your shower.
After each shower, use it to dry the glass. It will just take a few seconds and will maintain your shower screen in excellent condition. (Tip: Spray a homemade all-purpose cleaner before cleaning with a squeegee.)
2. Avoid Using Bar Soap
We recommend switching to liquid body wash since it leaves less soap scum on the shower glass.
Also, it doesn’t create an alkaline environment where hard water deposits attach to the glass.
3. Install a Water Softener
Only if you can afford it. This is an expensive way of saving your shower screen.
It’ll repel any mineral buildup on your shower glass and the insides of your pipes, faucets, dishwasher, showerheads, and other fixtures.
Conclusion
These ways of cleaning shower screens and keeping them clean will help you avoid soap scum buildup and any stain on the glass. However, even with the best preventive measures, the shower screen will need to be cleaned regularly (at least twice a month).
If cleaning your bathroom, particularly the shower screens, seems too much work, and you have better things to do with your time, don’t hesitate to hire cleaning professionals. You may even consider replacing your shower if it is beyond repair!
After all, who doesn’t love a good-looking shower?
