The Easiest Way to Clean Shower Doors
The Easiest Way to Clean Shower Doors
It’s always a challenge to clean shower doors, but that doesn’t mean you have to use powerful cleansers made with ammonia, bleach, and other harsh chemicals. Without much trouble, you can effectively clean shower doors in ways that are much safer for your family.
Jill Schoff, author of Green Up Your Cleanup, recommends using a mixture of baking soda and water. Combine the two in a wide-mouth container, using just enough water to form a thick paste. Rub the paste on shower doors with either your hand or a non-abrasive sponge, then rinse with vinegar. “The paste works amazingly well—better than any commercial cleaner I’ve ever used,” says Schoff.
If your shower doors slide, don’t forget to clean the metal tracks that the doors run along. According to Schoff, this part of the process couldn’t be simpler, just “plug the drain holes with a bit of paper towel, fill the track with vinegar, and let sit overnight.”
Prevent soap scum and mold buildup by using a squeegee, sponge, or absorbent towel on the doors and walls of the enclosure after every shower. Doing so helps remove residue before it hardens, while also eliminating the moisture that mold and mildew need in order to thrive. “If you use a sponge or towel, be sure to wring it well and allow it to dry completely between uses,” says Schoff, who adds, “Launder the towel or throw the sponge in the dishwasher to disinfect.”
If you can get your family to adopt this regime, it won’t be necessary to clean shower doors often, only to shine things up occasionally by spraying with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and water.
