Advice on Keeping Shower Door Clean

Updated on August 02, 2008
C.T. asks from Denton, TX
15 answers

I'm a clean freak and it drives me crazy that I can't seem to keep my shower door clean. I have no problems with soap scum or spots or anything like that. It is the black yucky stuff that collects in the corners and crevices from constantly being damp. Even under and around the stripping that seals the glass in place can get pretty disgusting, so I have to sit down on the floor and use Q-tips and rags and whatever else to try to clean it the best I can. I've even considered just buying a new door, but then it would just get dirty, too. I've tried Kaboom and cleaners with bleach and I use a daily shower spray. Any other suggestions? Or do I just have to live with it not being as clean as I would like?

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So What Happened?

Wow!! Thanks for all the advice. I never thought I would get so much information about my shower. Leaving the door open does make a difference! My shower dries out within an hour where as before with it closed it took all day. I plan on trying some of these products eveyone has mentioned, too. Thank you so much for all your responses! I appreciate the help!!

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P.F.

answers from Dallas on

I'm with you on this one and hate that also! We use the daily shower cleaners but I've found for the yucky accumulation X14 or Tilex works great but if you're caulking is loose or the stripping you might should replace that.

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

If possible with out damaging anything else I use strait bleach. I am a clean freak as well. Put strait bleach on the area let it set and then come back after a few minutes and the clean as usual. Make sure you do not close your self in the smell does get to you and your eyes will burn like crazy. But as I stated I am a clean freak as well and I hate for things to look like that in my bath room.

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

We have a policy in our house.....Last one out of the shower will squeegee the door and wipe down the inside.

We have a porous tiled shower with a 3 panel glass door. Along with using the squeegee daily AND wiping down the entire shower daily after use, I use a lot of vinegar. For the flooring of the shower, I use comet scrub with bleach.

A mom on here suggested the magic eraser. That also works wonders.

I have also used a marine boat polish on the glass (A HUGE pain in the rear to apply, dry and buff) but if you do this the water just beads on the glass and it is easier. RainX might have the same effect.

GOod luck

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

Dry the door off with your bathtowel when you finish drying yourself. Or get a squeegee and clean it off when you finish. Could work.

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L.

answers from Dallas on

I also learned about the dryer sheet on the shower door on this site. Amazing! I am not sure if its supposed to be wet when used, but with the dryer sheet wet, it got rid of all of the soap scum for over 2 weeks now! I am still working on the black corners and floor being discolored. I try not to used bleach, so I may try vinegar and tub n tile.

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T.P.

answers from Dallas on

You might also want to try using a dehumidifier in the bathroom. Some look like air purifiers but it will keep the moisture level down.

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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

Niki is absolutely right ! Dish soap will work very well. I was cleaning houses for more than 10 years and always used dish soap. Now I have bottle Pantene Pro_V in my shower and wash cloth just for that reason, and when I see it's getting dirty I wash my shower before my self. Besides it's always clean, not toxic, takes very little time, it's also happy experience. I never roll my eyes anymore with thought "I need to clean shower". I use wash cloth from Whole Foods, don't know what brand it is, but it has scrubbing texture like exfoliating gloves, it's about 3 foot long, and a feet wide , very thin which make it easy to fold and press to reach in the corners. I'll write the name when I figure it out. Sponge will work too, especially it's good for a first good cleaning, you just need to be aware of soft surfaces like plastic walls and adjust pressure. Remember, if you'll damage surface it will be harder to clean next time. Same apply to hush chemicals like bleach , Kaboom and etc. it ruin the surface slowly but surly, you will not see it right away, but in time your bathtub or shower will get dirtier and in shorter time and of course it will be harder to clean. Not to mention how bad it is for your health! After all this years cleaning 2-3 houses per day, reaching for perfection I get rid of all not necessary different sprays for every need. You can get a better result without spending money and toxicating your home. Use glass cleaner to clean your toilets - it's better and faster. Shampoo for your showers and bathtubs, same spray that you use to clean kitchen counter tops will work great in the bathroom sink or shower walls. On money that you save you can buy better products, like "Seven Generation" glass cleaner, "biokleen" soy toilet scrub, and some not toxic spray that will dissolve oil and don't leave film ( I use 365(whole foods brand) all purpose cleaner or "citrasolv"). For any type of floor "Mrs. Meyer's clean day" laundry detergent works the best (I wouldn't recommend to use other laundry det.), but Mrs. Meyer's is absolutely wonderful! You need only 1-2 tb spoon per bucket of warm water. You'll be amazed with result. Perfect towels to clean your floor you can buy @ Target,( white and blue stripes in car wash section). Smaller, square towels good for everything else except windows. That's all you really need. Use toothbrush instead of q-tips to reach in the tiny places. To prevent mold in the shower always leave door a little bit or a lot (depends on the air flow ) open. I never use squeegee anymore, just don't close the door completely and it drys up. Never have molding problem. Good Luck, I hope this tips will be helpful.

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N.V.

answers from Dallas on

The ladies who clean our house use dawn dish soap in the shower. I wondered how they got it so clean, and finally figured out their secret! Good luck!

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T.T.

answers from Dallas on

I use Magic Erasure to start. Then I spray after every shower with No Work and Tub n Tile - that'll keep it like new for a week or so, then I start over...but I just think it's hard to keep a shower clean.

Good luck!

T.

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S.A.

answers from Dallas on

I learned on this site that you can use a used dryer sheet to get the soap scum off and then once that is clean you can spray the glass door with lemon pledge. I let it sit there for a few minutes and then wiped it down. It stayed clean and clear for a little over a week, which is really good for our shower.
Have you tried peroxide for your black yucky stuff. also if you leave the shower door open until it is dry it will help a lot.

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P.B.

answers from Tyler on

I clean houses for extra money.

I have noticed that the houses where they use the daily shower sprays usually get that black "crud" around the grout and doors. I suggest putting a floor mat down and leaving the shower door ajar until the moisture is dried. It is these areas staying wet that makes it "mildew" and turn black. Once the shower dries, just hang the mat on a towel bar for the next use.

Hope it helps,

P. <><

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V.H.

answers from Dallas on

I am a clean freak too. I love Tilex Mold and Mildew. It has to be Tilex and it has to be Mold and Mildew. It is very strong, but all you have to do is spray it on and in a couple of minutes it will be gone (Its like magic). I haven't used Q-tips in my cleaning since I bought it. I go through a lot of Tilex, because it cleans sooooo good. I use it on almost everything. I pour it down my drains to keep them smelling good. I clean out my ice chests with it. If you have a bath with jets, spray it in the jets and they are clean in a couple of minutes.

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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

Tub&Tile is amazing and it doesn't contain any toxic chemicals. And very affordable. If you would like to learn more email me. I would be glad to talk with you. This pulls the yucky stuff out so that you can wipe it away!

H. M.

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T.S.

answers from Amarillo on

We have a squeege (sp?) and we keep a squirt bottle of diluted bleach in the corner to keep the mildew from growing. We give 2 or 3 sprays when we get out. Also, an old toothbrush or scrubbing block would work much getter than q-tips and rags, those are too soft. Best wishes!

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