Shower Doors - Cleaning the Scum and Stains

Your glass shower door can be a thing of beauty until it becomes coated with hard water mineral stains, mildew and soap scum. Instead of replacing the door to get that new clean door look try some cleaning tips from the glass door experts.

For a shower door that is prone to soap scum, many consumers have found the solution is quite simple. Simply stop using bar soap and switch to liquid body soap. It isn't necessarily as cost effective but it won't leave your door covered with soap scum either.

If you are determined to keep using bar soap or you just want to get the old scum off the shower door, one solution to keeping it clean and clear is to use a mixture of one cup liquid fabric softener and one quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge and rinse off and you door should be sparkling clean again.

Some consumers have reported wonderful results with the unexpected cleaning material such as fine steel wool. Simply use the fine steel wool to give the glass shower doors a gently scrubbing and the end results will speak for themselves. However as a word of warning, this method is one that should be tried in an inconspicuous location first and only with the lightest touch to make sure the glass won't be scratched and damaged by the procedure.

If you have hard water deposits it can be harder to get the sparkle back without using harsh abrasive chemicals but there are a few safe alternatives to try that have been successful. For example a sponge dipped in white vinegar and a gently scrubbing can often loosen up hard water deposits so a final rinsing of water makes the door as good as new again.

If your door is prone to mildew some preventive care can help. Squeegee the door down after your shower and wipe down the inside of the shower so it isn't left wet. Keep the door cracked to allow air to circulate and vent and keep mildew at bay. You can also spray the shower down regularly with a disinfect mildew preventive spray.

And of course if all else fails you can use commercial cleaners that are designed specifically for hard water, soap scum and mildew clean up. But the best solution to keeping your shower door looking new and clean is to maintain a weekly cleaning schedule in the first place so you can enjoy the beauty of your glass doors that drew you to them in the first place.