How to Clean Your Shower
Your Shower Gets You Clean, but What Cleans Your Shower?
What we have come to realize about showers and bathrooms is that the actual age of the shower doesn’t necessarily determine how it looks. What makes a difference is how well the shower is cared for. If you want to keep your shower looking like new, these tips and tricks will help you.
If you spend a few minutes drying the bathroom after showering, you’ll save yourself from a lot of frustration later trying to get rid of the annoying, hard-to-clean lime stains – and you’ll keep your bathroom in a better condition much longer. So why not take a moment to wipe off excess water from the shower system and shower area after use? You will thank yourself later.
Daily Shower Care - 4 Things to Remember
The efficient way to keep the bathroom clean and shiny is daily upkeep. The most important thing is to wipe off excess water from the bathroom after every use to reduce soap scum and keep water spots from appearing.
- Wipe down the shower set with a soft dry towel.
- Dry the floor and other flat surfaces with a squeegee.
- If you have an extractor fan, use it!
- If a showerhead nozzle gets blocked with lime, you can rub it off with your finger while in the shower.
Only use a mild detergent to clean the shower. Never use products that contain abrasives, strong acids, ammonia, or chlorine, as these can damage the coatings.
Read more specifically about shower and bathroom cleaning below.
How To Clean a Shower Head
We designed the thin shower heads to minimize mineral build-up but especially if you have hard water, regular cleaning will be necessary from time to time.
If the water streams from the nozzles are uneven, get skewed, or clogged, first rub the nozzles with your finger or use a soft toothbrush. Wash your hands first to keep grease off the nozzles or do it while in the shower and gently rub the nozzles preferably with your finger's knuckle side (to avoid grease). This releases mineral deposits from the nozzle and allows water to flow freely. Do this easy maintenance as soon as possible and you’ll prevent bigger problems in the long run.
That should be enough for most but if there's a lot of buildup, you can use a mild vinegar solution to dissolve the lime off. Mix white vinegar to water approximately at 1:5 and soak the shower head in the solution. Let it sit for 1-2 hours and thoroughly rinse with water. Again, use a soft brush to get rid of the most persistent mineral deposits.
How To Clean the Shower Set
To keep soap scum and water spots from appearing, wipe down the shower column and other parts with a soft dry towel after use. When you need to clean the shower, select a PH-neutral detergent and use a soft cloth or sponge. Apply detergent straight to the dampened cloth and wipe the surfaces. Rinse with plenty of tepid water. Finally, dry the pipes and fittings by wiping them with a dry, soft cloth. This ensures no marks remain and prevents water spots from appearing.
Attention! Only use a mild detergent. Never use products that contain abrasives, strong acids, ammonia, or chlorine, as these can damage the coatings.
Take Care of the Shower Area
The best time to deep clean your shower area is right after use. The surfaces are already wet and the steam has loosened dirt, making your job easier. Specific materials, such as tile, acrylic, and marble need specialized care as do glass shower doors. Read below what is the right method for each material and check the manufacturer’s instructions.
How To Clean Tile Shower Surrounds
Plan on spending extra time cleaning your tile surround because it tends to attract mildew and soap scum. To remove soap scum, use a non-abrasive cleaner made for bathrooms, a daily shower cleaner, or a white vinegar-and-water solution. To keep soap scum and water spots from reappearing, wipe down the walls and floor with a soft dry towel or squeegee after every use.
How To Clean Prefabricated Shower Surrounds
Gently wipe the acrylic surface using a damp clean cloth or chamois. Wash with warm water and a mild liquid dishwashing detergent or granular cleaner mixed with water. Use a soft cloth or a clean sponge, as acrylic scratches easily. Rinse the surface with a damp clean cloth, then dry it with a clean soft cloth.
You may also want to use a gel cleanser made especially for acrylic and fiberglass products. Use a clean dry cloth to apply it to a dry surround, then rub it into the surface and let it dry until it turns hazy. Buff off the haze to get a brilliant shine.
How To Clean Marble Shower Surrounds
Marble is a softer stone often used in custom installations for its beauty. There's a trade-off though: Marble walls are vulnerable to scratches and stains. To clean marble tiles, use a pH-neutral cleaner that is specifically suggested for the stone. Acidic products, such as vinegar or lemon-base cleansers, should be avoided due to possible etching. Wipe the marble surface dry after each use. Polish the marble weekly and cover it with a marble sealer twice a year.
How To Clean a Glass Shower Door
Using a glass cleaner and squeegee and soft cloth, wipe down the glass shower doors and enclosures. To remove soap scum film, use a cloth dampened with white vinegar, then rinse well. Finally, finish by cleaning the shower door track with a soft toothbrush and gentle dishwashing liquid. Rinse well.