Glass bathrooms and glass doors are fast becoming a common fixture in the modern bathroom due to their sense of class and their contribution to the bathroom décor. Moreover, they prevent the water from the shower from spreading to other areas of the bathroom. However, glass shower doors are prone to a myriad of problems, and more so, the cheap glass shower doors. Depending on the type of shower door installed in your bathroom, you may encounter several problems. Sliding shower doors are constantly exposed to water and may accumulate rust. The water trapped in the metal frames of the door may also lead to the growth of algae and moss. Advanced water damage may also lead to other problems such as the door getting stuck caused by rusting of the rollers or the tracks bending out of shape. A solution to this would be to install hinged doors, which in foresight, are more expensive than the sliding doors. The door, however, is still exposed to a huge amount of moisture from the humid bathroom environment and the hinges may also rust. This may cause the door to fall off its hinges in advanced situations. An inexpensive solution to this problem would be to ensure your shower doors remains clean at all time and that rust and algae do not get the chance to develop. Moreover, keeping the shower door and the glass shower environment ensures that your bathroom remains presentable and free from soap stains, scum and grime. There are several cleaning methods you can employ in your cleaning and they have been covered in detail in this article.
- How to clean glass shower doors with Vinegar and Dawn
There remains to be seen a more formidable duo at shower cleaning than a combination of Vinegar and Dawn. Dawn dish detergent is a commonly used dish-cleaning fluid used in cutting grease and other kitchen stains. This liquid can be found at any retail outlet or mall near you. Vinegar is a chemical made up of weak acids, other chemicals and is used for several applications including cleaning and flavoring.
Preparing the Solution
This vinegar and Dawn is not only a simple solution to prepare but also a very cheap combination to acquire. The preparation only requires some source of heat and cooking pots that you do not mind making dirty.
- Take equal volumes of the amount of each solution that you want to make. For example, if you need a liter of the solution, take half a liter of vinegar and half a liter of Dawn dishwashing solution.
- The mixtures might not make a uniform solution without heating so heat both solutions separately. You can heat each one of them separately if you prefer to do so. After heating the solutions, put them in a spray container and shake vigorously for a perfect solution.
The completed mixture can then be used for cleaning the glass shower door or surface. If the volume prepared was large, you can store the extra fluid for future use.
Usage and Application
Making the solution is the easy part. Getting the grime and stains out is the hard part. After putting the solution in a spray can, it can be used with paper towels, a cloth, or even a squeegee. The door can then be rinsed with warm water to attain that clean shower door look you’ve always wanted. Care should be taken especially when cleaning cheap glass shower doors to prevent them from breaking due to excessive force. Moreover, since vinegar is used, a sharp smell should be expected while cleaning.
- How to clean glass shower doors with hard water stains
Hard water stains are a common problem in almost every bathroom and can be a real pain in the back. They are as a result of dissolved salts in water and cause white spots on glass surfaces. Some of them can be even resistant to regular cleaning efforts and remain an eyesore to our once spotless shower doors. Contrary to popular belief, these hard water stains are quite easy to remove with commonly available and over the counter chemicals and cleaning agents. Several methods can be used in cleaning these hard water stains. However, since hard water stains are caused by alkaline salts in water, the best solutions involve using an acidic component alongside water to neutralize and dissolve the troublesome stains. Examples of solutions include white vinegar, acidic industrial cleaners, salt and water and adding ammonia to other cleaning fluids.
Preparing the Solution
Depending on the solution chosen, all the above-mentioned solutions are easy to prepare and are guaranteed to work on any tough stains on a glass surface. Industrial cleaners come ready to use and can be directly applied to the areas with hard water stains. Other solutions like salt and water require preparation. Best results are achieved by using warm water to prepare the solution. White vinegar is by far the best solution. Since white vinegar is strong, you should create a solution with one part vinegar and one part water. Both solutions can be warmed first before mixing.
Usage and Application
For solutions involving ammonia and vinegar, gloves and other protective clothing should be used, especially for sensitive skin in order to avoid injury to the skin. A sponge can be used as an applicator and for scrubbing alongside a bowl with your preferred solution. A spray bottle can also be used in place of the bowl. The following instructions should be of help.
- Spray the entire surface to be cleaned, in this case, the shower door, with the solution you prepared. Keep it wet for at least five minutes.
- After the five minutes are over, dab the stains with a sponge or cloth dipped in the same solution, or while the glass is still wet. The stains should come off easily leaving your glass shower door spotlessly clean.
- If you need to rinse, do so with boiled or distilled water to avoid adding more hard water stains.
- How to clean glass shower doors with dryer sheets
Despite the invention of fabric conditioner dispensers in modern cleaners and dryers, dryer sheets still remain a popular alternative during laundry. They were invented to help reduce the static cling of clothes after a drying phase and to also help make the clothes wearable immediately after drying. However, dryer sheets are also very effective when used to clean glass shower doors. After using them in your dryer, instead of tossing them into the trash, you can use used dryers to clean that scummy surface on your bathroom door.
Preparation
Unlike regular cleaners, dryer sheets come imbued with chemicals that not only help in softening fabric but also remove static. These chemicals are also very useful in cleaning scum and grime. For this reason, dryer sheets do not require any preparation for use on your glass shower door.
Usage and Application
Apply a little water to your dryer sheet and wipe away at your shower door. If the stains prove stubborn, you can use a scouring pad to help with the cleaning. Alternatively, you can add a little vinegar to the dryer sheet to further strengthen the cleaning power of the sheet. Vinegar helps by removing hard water stains that cannot be removed by water, soap and fabric conditioner. Rinse after cleaning.
- Cleaning glass shower doors with vinegar and baking soda
Baking soda is a very versatile salt. It can be used for a variety of applications including as a toothpaste, relieving insect bites and even helping maintain clear skin. Baking soda is also a good cleaning agent and cuts through grease and scum easily. Moreover, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is a very formidable cleaning agent and is particularly effective on shower doors and even cheap glass shower doors.
Preparation
There are various ways you can prepare this solution for use on your shower door. However, a concocted mixture of both agents is easiest to make and use.
- Prepare some warm water and dissolve half a cup of baking soda in one cup of water.
- Add two to three teaspoons of vinegar to the solution and stir vigorously. The measure of vinegar can be increased depending on the strength required for your cleaning purpose.
- Funnel the mixture into a spray bottle for easy application.
Usage and Application
This solution can be used like any regular cleaning agent. Squirt it on the area to be cleaned and vigorously rub with a sponge or cloth. Vinegar solutions should be used with care due to the corrosive nature of vinegar. Such measures include gloves and eye goggles to protect the hands and eyes.
- How to clean shower doors with vinegar
Vinegar has been in use for thousands of years for its numerous purposes. From preservation to cooking to cleaning, vinegar still remains one of the most used home chemicals. Vinegar can be used to get rid of those stubborn stains and grime on your glass shower screen.
Preparation
Depending on how strong you want your solution, vinegar can be used in full strength or in diluted form. Full strength vinegar can be used to wipe the grime off the metal railing of a slide glass door or cleaning other stubborn stains. Diluted vinegar can be used for the glass surface of the door to get rid of hard water stains and soap stains that plague the door. This can be made by mixing one part vinegar with one part water. A more dilute solution can be made by adding the parts of water in the solution.
Usage and Application
The solution is quite easy to use and you should have an easy time using it. Preventive measures should also be taken to avoid acid burns that could result from concentrated vinegar solutions.
- How to clean shower doors with WD40
Vinegar, vinegar-based and other homemade solutions aside, industrial cleaners, though quite expensive, also come in handy when cleaning your glass shower door. One such cleaning agent is WD40. WD40 is a manufactured spray that can also be used for a wide range of activities besides cleaning.
Preparation
This factory manufactured chemical does not require any preparation as it comes ready to use.
Usage and Application
Industrial cleaning agents such as WD40 often come with a very high concentration of chemicals that may be harmful to your skin. However, industrial regulations ensure that instructions for use of any of the cleaning agents are well documented and shipped alongside the spray or published online. You can visit the official WD40 site to know more about these usage instructions and precautions. Always ensure that the room is properly ventilated before using WD40 because the fumes can be harmful. Apply an even film on the shower door and on the metal frame of the door and leave it to soak for a few minutes. Wipe the door clean with a piece of cloth for a clean finish. A rougher item may be used to clean the grime off the frame.
- How to clean shower glass with vinegar
Besides cleaning the shower door, vinegar can also be used for your general shower area. With the dissolving power of vinegar, cleaning your glass shower cubicle can be a very effortless affair. Cleaning can be done using undiluted vinegar or with a vinegar solution mixed with one part water and one part vinegar.
How to keep glass shower doors clean
Shower doors can be a nearly insurmountable task to keep clean. While we all enjoy having a clean glass shower door, many don’t know how to do so. Several methods can be employed to ensure your shower door is always clean.
- The best solution to maintaining a clean shower door is constant vigilance. This can be done by using a clean squeegee mop after every shower. You can also adopt a regular cleaning schedule to ensure that dirt and grime do not accumulate.
- A slightly more expensive solution is to install a glass door with a coating to prevent the glass from soap and hard water stains. These glass doors are available as many manufacturers offer the option of a coated glass door for your shower.
- Another solution would be to leave the shower door open when in use. This easy solution may sound ridiculous but it ensures that water and soap do not spill on the door, leaving it clean for longer.
- Polishing the glass door with furniture oil after cleaning also prevents the build-up of grime and scum. This can be done by applying a thin layer of furniture oil and letting it sit for a few minutes then cleaning the excess oil with a piece of cloth. This layer acts as a protective layer against stains.
