Water spots, soap scum, streaks and smudges are only a few of the challenges you may be facing while cleaning your glass shower door and framing. When you add in mildew and mold growth, trying to keep the shower door clean becomes an extremely dreaded task. Good news! There is a simple solution to getting you out of shower cleaning duty much quicker and without having to use expensive, toxic chemical cleaners. Here are some tips to help you naturally cut through the gunk and grime on your shower door and framing.

First Things First

The first thing you will need to do is make the cleaning solution. All you need is vinegar, liquid dishwashing liquid (such as Dawn®) and baking soda. Here’s what you’ll need to mix the solution:

• 1 cup of warm vinegar
• 1 cup of liquid dishwashing liquid (one that specifies it cuts through grease)
• 1 cup of water
• Baking soda
• Sponge
• Old toothbrush
• Hydrogen peroxide (optional for mold and mildew)
• Spray bottle
• Cloth

Remove Soap Scum and Water Stains

To clean the glass in your shower, add the solution in spray bottle and mix the warm vinegar, dishwashing liquid and water. Spray the mixture on the glass and allow it to set for a few minutes, then wipe away cleaning solution with a sponge and dry with a soft cloth.

Clean the Framing

To clean the framing around the glass, sprinkle baking soda inside the track and spray the cleaning mixture over the baking soda and around the framing. Allow this mixture to soak for a few minutes. Using an old toothbrush, scrub the framing and the track to loosen the buildup and rinse with cool water. Make sure to dry the framing after cleaning to reduce the risk of mildew.

Say Bye, Bye to Mold and Mildew

Soap scum may be an unappealing sight, but mildew and mold are potential health hazards. Without regular cleaning, both mold and mildew can grow in the track between the framing and glass door. Instead of using the vinegar solution, use hydrogen peroxide to kill any toxic mold that may be lingering around the shower door. Simply spray hydrogen peroxide into all of the gaps and cracks, wait a few minutes and rinse well with warm water. If necessary, use an old toothbrush to get into hard-to-reach spaces.

Prevention is Key

The best thing you can do to avoid frequently having to deep clean the shower door is to squeegee the door after each shower. This will help to keep hard-water deposits from building up on the glass. Another trick is to wipe the glass with a product used in the dishwasher to prevent water spots on glassware, such as Jet Dry®. Once a week, use a soft cloth to wipe the water spot repellent on the inside of the shower door.

Another preventative option is to have Diamon Fusion® glass coating applied to help keep your shower glass looking as good as new. This product can be installed on either new or existing glass, ceramic, tile, porcelain, granite and quartz. The chemistry of the coating (silicon dioxide) bonds with the material to be coated and creates a thin protective layer, which makes the material easier to clean and resistant to weathering. Not only is this material good for your shower, but also for the environment; with this coating, you won't need to clean as often, which can help preserve water.

Sometimes, regardless of how diligent you are with keeping the shower door and framing clean, it may be time to replace the shower door, track and frame. In this case, contact us at DeSola Glass, Art & Frame Gallery to get that shower glass sparkling with a new shower door and frame.