Learn How To KeepYour Shower Door Looking New With These Easy Tips
There is no denying these glass shower doors are officially trendy whether you are remodeling your bathroom, or customizing a new home. But, they require special care and upkeep so they don't end up full of soap scum and hard water stains.
Understanding the different glass shower designs
Frameless Design
These doors are made of a single piece of glass that is mounted directly to the wall or shower enclosure without the use of metal framing. This creates a sleek, modern look and allows for maximum light and visibility.
Semi-frameless shower doors
These doors have a metal frame around the edges of the glass, but the rest of the door is frameless. This allows for a more affordable option that still has the modern look of a frameless door.
Sliding shower doors
These doors consist of two or more panels of glass that slide on a track to open and close. This is a good option for smaller bathrooms.
But, what is the best way to clean the actual glass at hand?
Though there are many designs, one thing remains the same... they are all GLASS! But why are these glass shower doors so high maintainence? Here is something that is helpful to understand:
Hard water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium that can cause a buildup of residue on glass shower doors. This can lead to the formation of hard water stains, which are often white or chalky in appearance. The minerals in hard water can react with the glass to form a hard, crystalline substance that is difficult to remove. This is why glass shower doors can accumulate hard water stains over time.
Some popular tips that you yourself can do to maintain your glass shower door is:
Use a squeegee to wipe down the glass after each shower. This will remove any excess water that can lead to water spots or stains. Many clients of ours with older houses that were new builds have kept their shower doors prestine by this method and it is the key tasks to keep your shower door looking new.
Avoid using harsh chemicals on your glass shower door like a lot of the commercial shower cleaners such as scrubbing bubbles. These can damage the glass and make it more susceptible to staining. Instead, use a gentle cleaner specifically designed for use on glass. This glass cleaner is tried are true in houses I myself have cleaned.
Dry the glass with a soft cloth such as a microfiber towel or an e-cloth after each shower. This will help prevent the buildup of water spots and stains.
Avoid using abrasive sponges or scrubbers on your glass shower door. These can scratch the surface of the glass, which can make it more difficult to clean and more susceptible to staining.
If hard water stains do appear on your glass shower door, try using a mixture of white vinegar with a little dawn dish soap and water to clean them. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and a few drops of dawn along water in a spray bottle and apply it to the stained areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a soft cloth or sponge.
There are also water repellents you can spray after you have cleaned the surface such as this one from the well known brand rain X.
What if your shower door already has extreme build up?
Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. When hard water is used for showering, the minerals can be left behind on the glass shower door as the water evaporates. This can result in a buildup of mineral deposits, also known as lime scale, on the glass shower door. It is such a tricky cleaning tasks to deal with and highly unsatisfying to look at.
If you're dealing with years of build up, the most effective way to remove, or reduce the amount is:
Step 1: Put half a cup of baking soda into a small plastic tub and add enough vinegar to it so that it forms a paste
Step 2: When the fizzing has stopped, use a sponge to smear the paste all over the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes or so
Step 3: Using the sponge, start to clean off the solution, using warm water to rinse the mixture away
Step 4: Dry the shower screen thoroughly using a microfiber towel. You may have to repeat this method more than once.
Another product that is also amazing and used for many things including glass is Bar Keeper's Friend but not your traditional form you are use to. They have a spray! for hard water build up. Another great and well known brand that makes a cleaner specifically for glass shower doors is Rejuvenate.
In conclusion, hard water can cause a buildup of mineral deposits on glass shower doors as we went through earlier in this blog. These deposits, also known as lime scale, can be unsightly and difficult to remove. However, there are several methods that can be used to prevent or remove this buildup, such as using a vinegar solution with either dawn dish soap or baking soda which is very eco friendly, you can also use one of the brands we covered that is move heavy duty and afterwards always using a repellent and glass specific cleaner, or installing a water softening system, but that is not very cost effecient when there are more budget friendly options. By taking these steps, you can keep your glass shower doors looking clean and clear!
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