How to Clean a Glass Shower Door—and Keep It Sparkling
Updated: Aug. 07, 2023
This is how to clean glass shower doors and make them crystal clear, whether you prefer natural cleansers or store-bought scrubbers.
A sparkling clean shower is essential to creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom. Scrubbing the tub is simple enough, but cleaning glass shower doors can be tough, especially if they’ve gotten cloudy or stained. You can absolutely restore the sparkle with our guide on how to clean glass shower doors.
How Often Should You Clean Shower Glass?
The first secret to clean glass shower doors is consistency. Staying on a cleaning schedule prevents hard water from building up on the surface overtime. Here’s how to tackle it on a daily and weekly basis.
- Daily: Squeegee your shower doors after each shower to remove water droplets. When hard water droplets are allowed to air dry, they cause calcium stains. Keep a squeegee hanging in the shower for easy access.
- Weekly: Clean your glass shower doors weekly with one of the methods detailed below. Waiting too long in between cleaning will allow hard water buildup to accumulate and make it much more difficult to remove.
- As-Needed: About once a month, apply a water-repellent like Rain-X to your glass shower doors. Rain-X causes water to bead and slide off the glass, getting rid of soap scum and hard water stains.
Want more shower cleaning tips? Learn how to get rid of pink mold.
How to Clean Shower Glass, 4 Ways
When it comes to cleaning your shower glass, you have options! Our favorite methods make your glass look new again, whether you reach for eco-friendly products or store-bought solutions.
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors with Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover
Tools
- Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover
- Sponge
Directions
Not as widely known as other shower-cleaning products, Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover is a miracle worker! Spray it on your shower doors (it also works on tile and fixtures), wait three minutes, then rinse clean to remove tough soap scum and stains—no scrubbing needed. For extra-stubborn buildup, spray on the product, wait three minutes and then scrub with the abrasive side of a sponge before rinsing. Still using paper towels? That’s one of the most common bathroom cleaning mistakes.
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors with Vinegar
Tools
- Vinegar
- Dawn Dish Soap
- Spray bottle
- Sponge
Directions
In a spray bottle, combine 2 cups of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of Dawn dish soap. Spray the mixture on the shower glass. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Scrub the glass with a sponge, then rinse thoroughly.
Use a squeegee to dry and get a clear finish. You’ll be amazed at the sparkle. Seriously, vinegar can clean almost anything.
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors with Lemon
Tools
- Lemon
- Kosher salt
- Soft cloth
Directions
Cut a lemon in half, then dip half the lemon in kosher salt. Rub the lemon directly on the shower door. Repeat with the other half if needed. The acidic lemon juice and abrasive salt help to break down hard water deposits. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth or squeegee. Cleaning with lemon leaves the freshest smell!
How to Clean Glass Shower Doors with Ammonia
Tools
- Ammonia
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
Directions
For hard water buildup, mix three parts water to one part ammonia in a spray bottle. Spray the shower glass and scrub the surface with a sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
To get rid of streaks, mix 2 tablespoons ammonia with 2 quarts distilled water. Spray on door and wait two to three minutes. Then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
Shower Cleaning FAQs
How do you fix cloudy shower doors?
Cloudy doors are caused by hard water buildup (mostly calcium deposits). Try the vinegar method from above, but leave the solution to soak in overnight before wiping off. For heavy-duty stains, try using extra fine steel wool (#0000). It won’t scratch the glass but will help dislodge mineral buildup. Wipe the door with a sheet of dry steel wool, going from top to bottom in a circular motion. This is one of our favorite shower cleaning hacks.
How do you keep your glass shower doors spot-free?
Prevent water spots by keeping your shower doors dry in between uses. Dry the doors with a cloth or squeegee after each shower. When not in use, leave the shower door ajar to allow air ventilation. To prevent soap scum, consider switching to natural soaps with ingredients like shea butter, olive oil and coconut oil.
How do you clean shower door runners?
You can use the same vinegar and Dawn dish soap mixture from above to clean the shower tracks as well. Spray the solution on the tracks, let it sit for an hour or two, then scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse. If there’s a lot of crusty buildup present, try scraping some of it away with a paint scraper; or these narrow scraper tools—the perfect size for a shower track.
Originally Published: June 15, 2022
