How to clean glass shower doors easily

There’s something stylish and practical about having glass shower doors in the bathroom. The only problem is that the water droplets, bathing products, splatters, soap scum, and body soil cling to the glass surface over time. Foggy or dirty shower doors may give your bathroom an unkempt look. But, how to clean glass shower doors? 

That’s exactly what we will try to answer in this blog. Cleaning glass shower doors is actually not so difficult if you know how to do it and when to do it. Keep in mind that you need to be regular with your cleaning and home maintenance or else the soap scum and body soil can permanently etch your bathroom glass doors.

Whether you use commercial glass cleaning products or make your own natural cleaning solutions, the ultimate goal is to keep your bath sparkling clean. Here, we have some simple steps and tips on how to clean glass shower doors in minutes.  

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Spray the shower door with a store-bought glass cleaner

You have the option of using different cleaning products that chemically remove mold and mildew from your shower area. And then, there are cleaners that specifically target hard-water stains, smudges from a steam shower, and soap scum. Using them is the fastest way to clean a glass shower door.  

You also can find one that removes calcium, lime, or rust. You could also use a magic eraser made up of melamine foam to remove stubborn water spots on the surface without scratching the glass. However, it’s always a good idea to use more eco-friendly alternatives for cleaning your shower. 

Always avoid using an abrasive cleaner or scouring pads to clean your glass shower doors for these can easily scratch the surface – permanently damaging it.

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Prepare your own cleaning product and spray 

Before you try heavy-duty cleaning products that have chemicals, make your own cleaning solution at home. For this, you’ll have to take distilled white vinegar, some water, a cleaning brush, and rubber gloves.

• Slightly heat 1/2 cup of undiluted vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle.
• For tough stains, you can add an equal amount of grease-cutting liquid dish detergent.
• Mist a part of your glass doors and let it soak for five minutes.
• Scrub the door gently wearing cleaning gloves. You can use a soft plastic bristle scrub brush or sponge.
• Rinse the glass door thoroughly with water.
• Repeat if necessary.

Spray a mix of lemon and water

If you want to avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar, you can use lemon instead. It has cleaning power, smells nice, and removes lighter soap scum buildup.

• Mix three tablespoons of lemon juice and one cup of water. Put it into a spray bottle.
• Spray the doors and wait five minutes.
• Wipe the area clean with a sponge.
• Dry the glass with a clean microfiber cloth.

Spray ammonia

If you’re looking to remove streaks and deep marks from your glass door, ammonia comes in handy. However, keep in mind that you need to be cautious when working with ammonia. Before you start the cleaning, remember to open the doors and windows of your bathroom for good ventilation. And do not mix ammonia and chlorine bleach or else it will produce toxic gases.

• Mix two tablespoons of ammonia with two quarts of warm distilled water. Put the solution in a spray bottle.
• Spray the glass door and wait for two to three minutes.
• Wipe the door clean using a microfiber cloth.

Deal with the problem areas like a pro

If you’re unable to remove tough stains and spots, you may have to try a few other common products. 

• Dryer sheets: These sheets that are made to soften fabric can be used to cut through scum on a glass shower door. Wipe the door with moistened dryer sheets and rinse the door thoroughly.
• Multi-purpose cleaning pads: Besides removing marks on walls, these pads may also help you eliminate hard-water stains.
• Penetrating lubricants: If you want to loosen rust, quieten a squeaky bathroom door, or remove hard-water tough stains, you can use a lubricant.

Clean the shower door tracks too

Don’t forget to clean the shower door tracks too – unless, of course, you have frameless glass shower doors. 

Make sure there’s no soap scum or grime buildup in the metal tracks. Clean tracks will make it easier for you to operate the shower doors while making them look spotless. You can use acidic white vinegar to help you with the cleaning. 

• Use a paper towel to cover the drain hole or the track slit.
• Fill the track with distilled white vinegar and let it rest overnight.
• Use paper towels to absorb the vinegar in the morning.
• Scrape stains and debris with an old toothbrush – getting into tight corners.
• Wipe the tracks clean with a dry cloth. 

Stick to a regular cleaning schedule

The most important cleaning tip for glass shower doors is a regular cleaning routine. It may help you avoid spending hours deep cleaning. 

• Always have a window squeegee in the shower stall. Use it to wipe the door clean after each shower.
• Wipe the door thoroughly using a dry microfiber cloth. 
• Spray your daily cleaner on the glass surface. 
• Open the shower doors wide open to allow good air circulation.

You can make your own glass cleaner by mixing ½ cup of rubbing alcohol with the same quantity of hydrogen peroxide. Pour it into a spray bottle. Add a tablespoon of dishwasher rinse along with one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Add some water and shake. Use the liquid cleaner on your shower door and clean using a squeegee. You can also use the mix for cleaning your shower head.

Preventive measures to keep your glass doors clean

If you witness frequent soap scum buildup and hard-water stains, you could:

• Use a liquid body wash instead of bar soap to reduce the build-up of soap scum.
• Install a water softener to reduce the mineral levels in the water supply. It can help prevent tough hard-water stains.

How often should you clean glass shower doors?

Glass shower doors should be cleaned after each usage to keep them gleaming. Soap scum or dirt buildup can be prevented from becoming a major issue with a daily spray of a commercial or DIY cleanser. If you’re unable to do that, you should at the very least clean the doors once every week.

Last thoughts on how to clean glass shower doors

Hard water stains or mildew on glass shower doors can give your bathroom an unclean look. As you shower, grime can readily accumulate – dirtying, clouding, or fogging your shower glass doors. However, if you understand how to properly clean glass shower doors, you’ll be able to manage the buildup easily. We hope this cleaning guide will help you in keeping your bathing space clean and hygienic. 

Written by Ramona Sinha. October 11, 2022

Ramona is a content writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depths of her soul.