Should You Avoid Using Abrasive Cleaners on your Shower Doors?

Glass shower doors and enclosures have gained popularity in recent years.  Since even in large expansive bathrooms, shower doors tend to account for a good portion of wall space, the shower is typically the focal point of a bathroom.  Glass shower doors and enclosures eliminate barriers like shower curtains or heavy hardware allowing more natural and artificial light to flow into the space unimpeded improving visibility.  A glass shower enclosure provides for a more open look and feel with a straightforward view into the shower and allowing the beauty of the space to shine through. However, dirty glass doors with visible hard water staining, soap scum, or mildew can make a bathroom look dingy and dull.

Keeping your glass shower doors clean is not only hygienic, but it can also give your bathroom a freshly polished look.  Mildew, hard water staining, and soap scum are the main culprits in most dingy showers. 

What’s the Grime on my Shower Door?

Mildew grows in warm damp places, like a shower, and can be harmful to you and your family, so keeping your shower doors clean is important for health and aesthetics.

Hard water comes from small bits of minerals in your water such as calcium and magnesium carbonates. When hard water mixes with your soap, it can leave stains and streaks on your glass shower doors.  This “soap scrum” can eventually damage untreated glass because hard water minerals can seep into the porous glass and can cause corrosion.

Tips for Cleaning Glass Shower Doors

If you haven’t cleaned your glass shower doors in a while it may seem daunting, and you may feel that it’s time to break out the heavy abrasive cleaner to get the job done, but wait.  It is important to avoid using abrasive products like Comet, Ajax, or anything containing cerium oxide. Abrasive cleansers while effective in cleaning many other surfaces can damage glass and are not recommended. It’s also best to avoid using scouring pads, abrasive brushes, or sharp objects while cleaning glass shower doors, as these can scratch the glass.

While there are many commercial products available for tackling the scum and grime in your shower, you may also want to try some DIY eco-friendly options.  Here are some tips on cleaning your glass shower doors without abrasive cleaners or industrial chemicals.

For tough layers of buildup try combining ½ cup of baking soda in a plastic container with enough white vinegar to create a thick paste.  Wearing rubber gloves, use a non-abrasive scrubber to apply the paste to the door.  Let it sit for 15 minutes. Scrub thoroughly then rinse with warm water.  Buff to a sparkling shine.

For regular scrubbing, create a cleansing spray by adding warm vinegar to a spray bottle.  Be sure to wear rubber gloves while you coat your shower door with the solution.  Let soak for about 5 minutes then wipe down with a sponge, rinse with water, and buff with a microfiber cloth.

For cleaning mild build-up try combing 3 Tbs. of lemon with a cup of water in a spray bottle.  Spray down your glass shower doors.  Wait about five minutes as the spray breaks down the scum.  Wipe with a sponge then rinse clean and buff to a shine.

A neat trick for light soap scum build-up is to wet down used dryer sheets and use them to lightly wipe down your glass shower doors.  It’s a great way to recycle dryer sheets and it helps cut-through soap scum and hard water stains that are beginning to form on your shower glass.

If you’re replacing old shower doors or adding a new glass shower enclosure you may want to consider buying glass with a hydrophobic coating that repels water and hard water and soap scum.  HydroShield™ has been specifically designed to protect glass shower enclosures, shower doors, and more. Learn more about why Dick’s Rancho Glass recommends Water Spot Protective Coatings.

Clean and sparkling glass walk-in showers and glass shower doors allow your eye to see into the shower space, creating a sense that the room is more expansive. Because frameless glass shower enclosures are so sleekly unobtrusive, they look great no matter how your bathroom is decorated.

 At Dick’s Rancho Glass we have many years of glass design and installation experience and are happy to serve homeowners throughout the Sacramento Area. Our superior glass design team can work with you to select a stunning new glass shower enclosure that suits your style, budget, and daily needs. To begin exploring your glass shower design options, check out our shower gallery, Click here to contact us, give us a call, or visit one of our two glass showrooms in the Sacramento region:

Dick’s Rancho Glass Sacramento at 2900 ROUTIER ROAD
Or call us at (916)363-6554

Dick’s Rancho Glass Fair Oaks at 5349 SAN JUAN AVE.
Or call us at (916)863-2500

~ At Dick’s Rancho Glass our versatility and pride of craftsmanship are keys to our success. Our excellent reputation has been built on the foundations of quality, reliability, and maintaining a dedicated staff. ~