Glass shower doors are beautiful, but keeping them clean is a challenge. Normal glass-cleaning options don't remove mineral deposits and soap scum, making cleaning difficult. In this article we share the fastest, safest, and easiest way to make your glass shower doors sparkle.
A commercial glass stripper is the fastest, easiest, and safest way to clean your glass shower doors. Apply a commercial glass stripper to the inside of your glass shower doors. Rinse off and wipe down the glass stripper with a clean microfiber cloth or rag. Apply your favorite glass cleaner to your shower doors inside and out. Complete the process by wiping down with a clean microfiber cloth, rag, or newspaper.
Apply a commercial glass stripper
First, apply a commercial glass stripper to the inside of your glass shower doors. The inside is typically where mineral deposits and soap scum build up. It is also the hardest part of your doors to clean because mineral deposits bond to your glass and don't come off with normal glass cleaners.
Commercial glass strippers are designed to safely remove contaminants and deposits that have bonded to your glass. A high-quality glass stripper uses mild abrasives to polish away contaminants. It will deep clean your glass without scratching, and will restore your glass doors to their original condition.
Applying a glass stripper is as easy as pouring the liquid stripper onto a sponge and then rubbing it onto your glass in a gentle circular motion. You don't have to scrub or press hard because the special abrasives will do the work for you.
Rinse off and wipe down the glass stripper
Once you've applied the glass stripper to the inside of your glass shower doors, rinse it off with water and then use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any residue.
This step should not require hard scrubbing or multiple passes. Just rinse off and wipe down. It's easy and the result is immediate: clean, clear glass. You'll be amazed.
Apply glass cleaner to your glass doors inside and out
Now that you've removed the glass stripper you'll want to use your favorite glass cleaner to get an added level of sparkle, inside and out.
Apply your glass cleaner to both sides of your glass shower doors. For best results we recommend using a glass cleaner that's free of additives like soaps, scents, or dyes, as they leave behind residue that causes streaking. Of course, we're partial to Invisible Glass, but use whatever glass cleaner you're most comfortable with.
Wipe down with a clean microfiber cloth, rag, or newspaper
Last, wipe down your glass with a clean cloth. This might seem like a minor detail, but the kind of cloth you use matters.
Avoid using paper towels as they often contain contaminants like glue and sizing that get left behind on your glass, causing streaks. We recommend using either a clean microfiber towel or a clean rag. Some people swear by newspaper, which works well, too.
That't it—you've got sparkling clean glass shower doors! And, it should have taken less than five minutes, significantly better than other methods which can take hours and require multiple attempts.
How often should you clean your glass shower doors?
If you'd like to keep your shower doors always looking their best, use the following routine:
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Squeegee your glass doors after every shower use to keep water spots, mineral deposits, and soap scum buildup to a minimum
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Clean your glass doors with a glass cleaner at least once a week, keeping them free of dirt, fingerprints, and contaminants inside and out
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Use a commercial glass stripper once every three months, or whenever your glass shower doors are starting to look like they need some extra attention
Understanding hard water
Deposits and scale on glass shower doors is common. The problem is caused by water with elevated mineral content, also known as, "hard water".
Water becomes hard when it percolates through layers of limestone, chalk, or gypsum in the ground. It gains elevated levels of calcium and magnesium as it passes through these deposits, and becomes what we refer to as hard water.
You might be surprised to learn that 85% of the US has hard water. This is why most of us encounter hard-to-clean glass shower doors, as well as scale build up on our shower heads and faucets.
What makes these deposits difficult to clean is that, unlike common dirt and grease which sit on the surface of your glass, minerals from hard water tend to bond to your glass. Over time they develop significant deposits that attract soap and dirt, making them difficult to remove.
Alternative methods for cleaning glass shower doors
The following are a number of other methods for cleaning glass shower doors. These typically take a good deal more time and effort. We can't vouch for their efficacy or safety, but we share them to help you be as informed as possible.
DIY Glass Door Cleaner
Some people recommend making your own glass door cleaner by mixing together ¼ cup dish soap, a cup of water, and ½ cup distilled white vinegar. A variant is two parts vinegar to one part dish soap. They advise applying the solution using a spray bottle, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then scrubbing your doors, rinsing, and then if that doesn't eliminate everything, using some ammonia to really get the job done.
Two things to note: First, never apply a vinegar solution to stone or stone tiles. It can damage them. If you're not certain what your shower tiles are made made of, then play it safe and avoid vinegar all together. Second, ammonia is a dangerous chemical and should be treated with caution. Never mix it with other chemicals or materials and make certain your work area is well ventilated.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a popular ingredient for clean up. It is a mild abrasive and causes dirt and grease to dissolve in water. Some people suggest making a paste using baking soda and some water, applying it to a sponge, and then scrubbing your glass shower doors.
Dryer Sheets
Others suggest using a damp laundry dryer sheet to clean glass shower doors. To do this, take a used dryer sheet, wet it, rub down your glass, rinse with water, and wipe clean.
Lemon Water
You can also try cleaning your glass shower doors using a lemon juice added to warm water. Some people like using lemon because the acid is good at cutting through grease. As with vinegar, be very carful with a lemon juice solution around materials like stone or stone tiles, as they can easily get damaged.
Conclusion
There are a number of ways you can try to clean your glass shower doors, but the fastest, safest, and easiest way is to use a commercial glass stripper. Apply the glass stripper to the inside of your glass shower doors. Rinse off and wipe down. Apply a glass cleaner to your doors inside and out. And finally, wipe down with a clean rag or microfiber cloth. You'll have beautifully clean glass shower doors that look brand new in just a few minutes.