How to clean a shower, from glass to tile
Although your shower is designed to keep you clean, the space can actually become dirty quite quickly. If not cleaned properly and regularly, showers build up with soap scum, mildew, and bacteria. This is true no matter the type of shower you have, whether it's glass, tile, or stone. While daily maintenance can keep your shower relatively free of grime, it still needs a deep clean every so often to ensure it stays in tip-top shape. Luckily, cleaning a shower is relatively easy and can be done with a few everyday supplies.
Related: How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms
How Often to Clean a Shower
How regularly you clean your shower depends on a few different factors, including how many people use it, how frequently it's utilized, the hardness of your water, the type of products you use, and how ventilated your bathroom is. "There's no hard and fast answer because of these variables," says Melissa Maker, cleaning expert and founder of Clean My Space. "But, generally, people clean their shower two to four times per month." This guideline is for deep cleaning your shower—you should do general upkeep of the space once a week.
How to Clean a Glass Shower
Vinegar is the best material for cleaning a glass shower, as it helps dissolve soap scum and mineral deposits. "Keep a spray bottle of diluted white vinegar handy and use it for light cleaning between deeper cleanings," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of Aspen Clean. When cleaning a glass shower, be sure to avoid using abrasive materials that can scratch the surface.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these ingredients on hand before getting started.
Spray bottle
Distilled white vinegar
Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
Baking soda
Toothbrush
Warm water
Steps
Follow these steps from Sokolowski to clean a glass shower.
Remove all personal items, shampoo bottles, soap dishes, and any other objects from the shower.
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water.
Spray the vinegar solution all over the glass surfaces, ensuring you cover the walls, shower floor, and other areas.
Allow the vinegar solution to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth or soft sponge.
Gently scrub the glass surfaces with the cloth or sponge, focusing on areas with stubborn stains and soap scum buildup.
Dip an old toothbrush in vinegar and scrub hard-to-reach areas, corners, and edges.
Rinse the shower with warm water, making sure to remove all vinegar and baking soda residues.
Use a microfiber cloth to dry the glass surfaces.
Related: Your Complete Guide to Cleaning a Showerhead, from Unclogging the Nozzles to Restoring Its Filter
How to Clean a Stone Shower
Before cleaning a stone shower, you need to identify your stone type. "Different types of natural stones—marble, granite, travertine, and slate—have varying porosity levels and sensitivity to cleaning agents," says Sokolowski. "Before proceeding, identify the type of stone in your shower to ensure you use the appropriate cleaning method." Generally, warm water and a natural, pH-neutral soap is a suitable cleaning solution for most stone types.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these ingredients on hand before getting started.
Natural pH-neutral soap
Warm water
Spray bottle
Soft sponge or microfiber cloth
Soft bristle brush (optional for stubborn stains)
Steps
Follow these steps from Sokolowski to clean a stone shower.
Remove all personal items, shampoo bottles, soap dishes, and any other objects from the shower.
In a spray bottle, mix warm water with a few drops of natural pH-neutral soap.
Spray the solution all over the stone surfaces, ensuring you cover the walls, shower floor, and other areas.
Allow the cleaning solution to sit for a few minutes.
Using a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, gently wipe the stone surfaces clean.
Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub any stains.
Rinse the shower with warm water, making sure to remove all vinegar and baking soda residues.
Use a microfiber cloth to dry the glass surfaces.
Related: How to Clean Your Shower Curtain and Liner the Right Way
How to Clean a Tile Shower
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Cleaning a tile shower is very similar to how you'd clean a glass shower, but you'll need to pay close attention when cleaning the grout lines, which can harbor a lot of grime. You may want to consider applying a natural grout sealer to protect the grout lines from moisture and stains, says Sokolowski.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these ingredients on hand before getting started.
White vinegar
Baking soda
Spray bottle
Warm water
Microfiber cloth or soft sponge
Toothbrush
Steps
Follow these steps from Sokolowski to clean a stone shower.
Remove all personal items, shampoo bottles, soap dishes, and any other objects from the shower.
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water.
Spray the vinegar solution all over the glass surfaces, ensuring you cover the walls, shower floor, and other areas.
Allow the vinegar solution to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Sprinkle baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth or soft sponge.
Gently scrub the glass surfaces with the cloth or sponge, focusing on areas with stubborn stains and soap scum buildup.
Put equal parts baking soda and water in a bowl and mix it into a paste.
Dip an old toothbrush into the paste and spread it on the grout lines.
Allow the paste to sit for a few minutes.
Rinse the shower with warm water, making sure to remove all vinegar and baking soda residues.
Use a microfiber cloth to dry the glass surfaces.
Related: 15 Incredible Shower Ideas That Will Make You Forget About a Soaking Tub
How to Remove Stains From a Shower
The methods outlined above should be enough to remove stains from soap and limescale, but you'll need to follow a different method when addressing any rust stains. "Common places for rust stains are metal fixtures, tiles with iron content, or areas where metal objects have left rust marks," says Sokolowski.
Materials Needed
Make sure you have these ingredients on hand before getting started.
White vinegar or lemon juice
Baking soda
Spray bottle
Old toothbrush
Warm water
Steps
Follow these steps from Sokolowski to clean rust stains.
Locate rust stains.
Thoroughly spray white vinegar or lemon juice directly onto the rust stains, making sure the affected areas are well-saturated.
Allow the vinegar or lemon juice to sit on the rust stains for at least 15 to 30 minutes.
Sprinkle baking soda over the affected areas and gently scrub the rust stains with a damp cloth or sponge.
Uses an old toothbrush to scrub hard-to-reach areas, corners, and edges.
Rinse the shower thoroughly with warm water to remove any residue. Check if the rust stains are fully removed. If they persist, you may need to repeat the process.
How to Keep Your Shower Clean
In between deep cleans, there are some measures you can take to ensure your shower stays cleaner for longer.
Use a squeegee after you shower to remove water from the tiles and floor. "Removing moisture will ensure you have no soap scum, hard water build up, or mildew in the shower because there's no lingering moisture or residue within that moisture," says Maker.
Ensure your bathroom has proper ventilation. "A dry bathroom is a clean bathroom," says Maker.
Regularly clean and maintain grout lines to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Avoid using abrasive cleaners, as they can damage the shower surfaces over time. "Stick to gentle, pH-neutral cleaners or natural alternatives," says Sokolowski.
Replace old shower accessories. "Over time, shower accessories like loofahs, bathmats, and shower curtains can accumulate grime," says Sokolowski.
Seal stone surfaces and grout several times a year to preserve the color and finish.
