How to Clean Glass Shower Doors So They Shine

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Cleaning glass shower doors so they sparkle

We hate to break it to you, but cloudy shower doors are a sign that you’re not cleaning often enough. And it might be because scrubbing glass can be about as much fun as scrubbing the toilet or making time to clean a shower head. But here’s the problem: If shower doors aren’t on your regular cleaning schedule, the glass will lose its luster. Worry not, though. We talked to the experts to find simple tips for how to clean glass shower doors and free yourself from unsightly grime and mildew.

If you’re already learning how to clean your bathroom, what causes pink slime in the shower and how to clean shower curtains, you’re well on your way to a sparkling bathroom. And the experts agree: Proper cleaning is not that hard. Check out their tips for making glass shower doors shine with less effort.

How often should you clean shower glass?

You shouldn’t be waiting until spring cleaning to scrub your shower. Frequent maintenance, according to Tom Portelli, Scotch-Brite product engineer, is the key to preventing those dreaded deep cleans. “It is much easier to remove [soap scum] as you see it because it only gets worse,” Portelli says. To keep those shower doors shiny (and on schedule), follow this cleaning cheat sheet for what to clean when.

• Daily: Squeegee the shower glass after each use, and leave the door open to allow for ventilation, says Ana Andres, co-founder of TidyChoice cleaning service. Use a squeegee that suctions right to the shower wall so you won’t have any excuse not to use it.
• Weekly: Clean the doors using one of our expert-approved methods listed below.
• Monthly: To help repel the water, apply a glass cleaner with hydrophobic properties, recommends Tommy Patterson, director of new product development for Glass Doctor.
• Yearly: Before applying a metal polish, inspect all hardware, such as handles, hinges and seals. “Look for signs of wear or corrosion that could cause problems down the line if not addressed,” says Nick Lines, director at U.K.-based door retailer Internal Doors.

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How to clean glass shower doors with white vinegar

Supplies:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 3 cups warm water
• Spray bottle
• Sponge
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Combine the vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution on the glass doors. Use the sponge to gently scrub stubborn spots, then the whole door. Wipe clean with the microfiber cloth.

Pro tip: Be careful mixing products

There are many household uses for vinegar, and it certainly deserves a spot in your cleaning cupboard. But to avoid creating noxious fumes, make sure you’re not mixing it with certain products. And to avoid damage, never use vinegar, lemon juice or other acidic cleaners on natural stone surfaces like marble, travertine and granite.

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How to clean glass shower doors with baking soda paste

Supplies:

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 2 tablespoons warm water
• Bowl
• 2 microfiber cleaning cloths

Directions:

Pour baking soda into a bowl and add just enough water to achieve a thick paste, like that of toothpaste. Gently rub the paste onto the (already wet) glass with the microfiber cleaning cloth. This paste is great for removing hard water stains, so apply a little extra pressure to stuck-on spots. Rinse clean with warm water and dry using a fresh cloth.

Pro tip: Take advantage of the shower head

Some products simply make life easier. To turn your shower head into a cleaning hose for easy rinsing, try the Rinseroo, a slip-on extension that gives you a long reach, so you can get to the shower door corners.

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How to clean glass shower doors with white vinegar and baking soda

Supplies:

• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 2 cups warm water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Spray bottle
• Sponge
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Mix the white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Saturate the doors by spraying and allow the mixture to settle for 30 minutes. Dampen the sponge and dip it in baking soda, then gently wipe the doors with it. Rinse with water before drying the doors with a microfiber cloth.

Pro tip: Try these cleaning solutions around the house

Baking soda is great for odor absorption and scrubbing, while vinegar can lift hard water stains. The combo makes baking soda and vinegar cleaning solutions some of the most popular in households. Luckily, the mixture can be used beyond cleaning shower glass. Use it for laundry, fridge refreshes and to clear a clogged sink drain.

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How to clean glass shower doors with dish soap

Supplies:

• 6 teaspoons liquid dish soap
• 2 cups warm water
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Start with damp doors. In a bucket, mix dish soap with water to make a thick foam. Dip the sponge in the solution, and using one finger to apply pressure, thoroughly clean the doors. After rinsing the doors, finish by drying them with a soft cloth. And remember to be careful with dish soap. While it’s great for cleaning shower doors, these are the things you probably shouldn’t clean with dish soap.

Pro tip: Work from top to bottom

Sometimes, the best way to clean shower doors is the easiest. Don’t make extra work for yourself by redepositing grime on a freshly cleaned surface. Working from top to bottom is the most efficient way to clean glass shower doors, says Adriana Aziz, operations manager of home cleaners MaidForYou.

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How to clean glass shower doors with a grapefruit

Supplies:

• 1 fresh grapefruit
• 1 cup table salt
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Cut a grapefruit in half and dip the cut end into table salt. Rub the grapefruit directly on the shower door. Allow the salt and fruit mixture to settle up to 10 minutes on any difficult to remove spots. Rinse, and if needed, repeat with the other half. After thoroughly rinsing the doors, dry them with the cloth.

Pro tip: Use microfiber

If you’re not already using microfiber cloths, the extremely durable household staples, you’ll want to start now. And to preserve their cleaning power, make sure you’re washing them correctly, says Leanne Stapf, COO of professional cleaning service The Cleaning Authority—that means avoiding the use of fabric softeners and drying using the lowest machine setting.

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How to clean glass shower doors with lemon juice

Supplies:

• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• Spray bottle
• 2 microfiber cleaning cloths

Directions:

Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. To clean shower glass, spray mixture and use a cloth to gently buff any persistent spots. Rinse and use the fresh cloth to completely dry the glass.

Pro tip: Clean with lemons

Why are lemons the ideal ingredient to clean glass shower doors? Steve Elliott, franchise owner of Restoration 1, water damage experts, relies on the acidic fruit. “Thanks to their high citric acid content, lemon juice will effectively remove hard water stains on shower doors.” And if you want that lemony-fresh smell outside of the bathroom, here are other household things you can clean with lemons.

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How to clean glass shower doors with hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol

Supplies:

• 1 cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1 cup rubbing alcohol
• Spray bottle
• 2 microfiber cleaning cloths

Directions:

In a spray bottle, combine hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. Drench the doors and allow the cleaner to sit for 60 seconds before wiping it with a cloth. Rinse with water and dry with the fresh microfiber cloth.

Pro tip: Store your homemade cleaners safely

For easy identification, label the spray bottle as “glass cleaner” and keep it stored safely, out of the reach of children and pets. Looking for more ways to use rubbing alcohol? Keep it on hand to get hairspray off glass, erase permanent markers and more.

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How to clean glass shower doors with ammonia

Supplies:

• 2 tablespoons ammonia
• 2 cups warm water
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Add the ammonia and water to the spray bottle. Spray the cleaner on the door and let it sit for two minutes. Rinse the door with water, then use the cloth to dry the glass. One of the most powerful cleaning tools in the household cleaning arsenal, ammonia can be used to remove soap scum and grease, clean oven racks and more.

Pro tip: Be careful with ammonia

As with all cleaning agents, too much exposure can be harmful to your skin or eyes. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves, and make sure the room is well ventilated to avoid breathing in fumes.

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How to clean glass shower doors with an all-in-one scrubber

Supplies:

• Scotch-Brite Swift Scrub

Directions:

Wet the sponge side of the triangular scrubber. Apply gentle pressure with one finger while you scrub. Flip the scrubber to the solid side to wipe the glass.

Pro tip: Clean while you suds up

Want to save time? Portelli prefers to clean the shower while he’s using it, which means he looks for tools that are quick to use and don’t require chemicals.

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How to clean shower door tracks

Supplies:

• 8 cotton balls
• 2 cups white distilled vinegar
• Microfiber cleaning cloth

Directions:

Plug drain holes with cotton balls before pouring the vinegar in the track. Allow vinegar to sit three to five minutes before removing the cotton balls to drain. You can even use an old toothbrush to scrub away any debris, says Jen Stark of Happy DIY Home. She then uses a fresh microfiber cloth to blot it dry.

Pro tip: Clean regularly

Cleaning expert Jimmy Olas says to wipe the tracks out more often. “This is something most people don’t pay enough attention to,” he says, “and that can lead to other issues, like mold.”

Sources:

• Tom Portelli, product engineer at Scotch-Brite
• Ana Andres, co-founder of TidyChoice
• Tommy Patterson, director of new product development and technical training for Glass Doctor
• Nick Lines, director of Internal Doors
• Adriana Aziz, operations manager of MaidForYou
• Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority
• Steve Elliott, franchise owner of Restoration 1 Water Damage Experts of Minnetonka
• Jen Stark, founder of Happy DIY Home
• Jimmy Olas, CEO of Silver Olas