There are several tips, tricks, treatments, and products to keep your shower door clean from soap scum.
Choose Glass with a Coating
If you’re looking to buy shower door glass for your bathroom, choose a coating that will protect the glass from hard water and soap. Most shower door companies will have this option available to you. The type of coating will vary depending where the shower door company gets its glass. If your shower door glass doesn’t have a coating, it will need to be cleaned more often.
Use the Squeegee
Many shower door installers will provide you with a squeegee to set the expectation that despite your door glass having a hydrophobic or protective coating, it will still require maintenance. Even if your shower door doesn’t contain a coating to prevent residue build-up, using a squeegee will still help prevent water and soap stains. Using the squeegee every day keeps the glass clean. It’s not a time-consuming chore, but should be made into habit by everyone who uses the shower.
Make sure to squeegee soon after you’ve finished your shower. Start from one of the top corners and put slight pressure onto the squeegee as you drag it down the glass. The water should run down the glass as you pull. Repeat this, overlapping the area you just dried about two inches, until you’ve removed all the water droplets on your shower glass. You might want to have a backup squeegee on hand in case the rubber blade becomes dull or nicked. Dry the rubber blade in between each pull so the squeegee doesn’t leave streaks and rubber marks.
Vinegar and Water
This is an inexpensive and easy way to keep your shower clean in an environmentally-friendly way. Just mix one part white vinegar with three parts distilled water and put the mixture into a spray bottle so you can store the solution easily. Spray the water and vinegar onto the glass and let it sit on the door for up to five minutes if the soap scum or hard water stain appears tough to remove. Spray more solution if it appears to be drying. Then rinse the solution with warm, distilled water or wipe it off with a lint-free towel, rag or paper towel. Newspaper is also a good cleaning material that won’t cause glass streaks. Always use a non-abrasive material when cleaning and drying your shower glass.
Commercial Cleaners
There are several commercial glass cleaners on the market that can clean the tough stains vinegar and water may not be able to remove. You can find these in your local grocery store. For high-performance glass cleaning products, check with your local shower glass company. First, dry your glass, then use a non-abrasive cleaner with a pH of seven to eight. Some cleaners may advise you to leave the solution on the glass for several minutes. When scrubbing or lightly cleaning your glass, avoid scouring pads, sharp instruments or using acid-based cleansers that can damage the glass coating. Use a lint-free towel, rag or paper towel instead to protect your glass and prevent streaks. Consider wearing gloves to protect your skin from chemicals when cleaning with these solutions.
Leave the Door Open
Leaving the bathroom door open after a shower will allow air to circulate and aid in water evaporation. This will also prevent mildew build-up in other areas of the bathroom. If your shower is not properly ventilated, keep your shower door open to release humidity when not in use. If you do have a vent, turn it on before starting your shower. If you do not, consider having a vent installed to protect your shower glass and bathroom from potentially harmful mildew and mold.
Other Cleaning Solutions
There are dozens of formulas out there for people who like to make their own cleaning solution at home. If vinegar and water doesn’t appeal to you, then you could try baking soda and vinegar to form a paste. Use about half a cup of baking soda with enough white vinegar to form a paste. Add vinegar slowly to prevent the solution from becoming too watery. Wipe the paste onto the shower door glass and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it off with a gentle cloth or lint-free paper towel and rinsing the glass the water. Make sure to dry your shower door properly after cleaning.