How to clean glass shower doors with vinegar

Many modern bathroom designs these days opt for glass shower doors as opposed to curtains. It gives the bathroom a very sleek and modern look which is quite appealing.

This lovely look can quickly fade when the glass door ends up covered in build-up due to soap scum, mineral deposits or mildew.

Soap scum is a white film that is a result of soap mixing with mineral deposits from hard water. It can end up covering everything as you shower. As hard water evaporates during a shower, minerals tend to stick around. This leaves spots that create dirty glass shower doors.

Hard water spots are quite challenging to get rid of. How hard your water is depends on where you live, which can be challenging to change. Luckily, cleaning glass doors is simple; with a bit of elbow grease and everyday household items, your shower doors will be sparkling clean again in no time.

Simply using vinegar and water

What you will need:

• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
• A spray bottle
• Water
• A microfiber cloth or sponge
• A squeegee

Procedure:

1. Heat the white vinegar in a microwave until it’s very warm.
2. In the ratio of 1:3 vinegar and water, fill the spray bottle and mix well. To mitigate the unpleasant smell of vinegar, you can add a few drops of your preferred essential oil into the mix.
3. Spray the solution directly onto the shower doors, covering the entire surface evenly.
4. Allow 15 minutes for the solution to sit on the glass.
5. Dry the door using the microfiber cloth/sponge. Once dry, use the cloth to buff out any streaks or smudges.
6. Leave the door open to ensure any residual moisture evaporates from the surface of the glass.
7. Prevention is key. To prevent the possibility of water stains or mildew growth, use the squeegee frequently to wipe down after every shower to remove any water droplets.

Should the soap scum be too heavy, you can choose to mix a ratio of half vinegar and half water. If that still does not give you the desired results, you can try other cleaning techniques.

Using Vinegar and baking soda

Mixing vinegar with baking soda will create a more potent cleaning product for your glass shower doors. It’s important that you apply this mixture carefully to make sure you don’t leave permanent scratches behind on your glass.

You will need the following:

• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
• 1 ½ cups of baking soda
• 4 spoons of liquid dish soap

Procedure:

1. Make a mixture of baking soda and vinegar in the measurements given to form a thick runny baking soda paste.
2. Apply the paste to the glass shower door gently.
3. Let the paste settle for thirty minutes if there are stubborn water stains.
4. All water stains and soap scum will be broken down by the mixture of these two powerful cleaning ingredients.
5. Using a smooth scouring pad, scrub the glass door and rinse well.

A vinegar, dish soap, and essential oil approach

You will need:

• ½ cup of distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup of liquid dish soap
• 4 drops of the essential oil of your choice
• A spray bottle

Procedure:

1. In the spray bottle, add 1/2 a cup of dish soap and 1/2 a cup of vinegar. The bottle should not be full to the brim to allow the mixture to mix well during the shaking process
2. Add the 4 drops of essential oil
3. Mix the ingredients thoroughly by shaking the bottle.
4. Spray the mixture on the shower doors, completely covering the surface
5. Let the mixture settle for at least 30 minutes.
6. Scrub gently and rinse with hot water.

The following procedure will apply if you use the vinegar and dish soap alone, without the essential oils.

You will need:

• 2 cups of distilled white vinegar
• ½ cup of liquid dish soap
• A bucket of hot water

Follow these steps:

1. Let the shower run for a few minutes so it gets wet and steamy inside.
2. With a two-sided sponge, start cleaning at the top and move downwards.
3. Begin scrubbing with the dish soap alone, working it into a lather. This will help remove soap scum.
4. Mix the two cups of vinegar with a half bucket of hot water to make a vinegar solution.
5. The white vinegar solution will help you remove mineral deposits and water stains. Dip your sponge and scrub on the doors.
6. Focus on the rough spots where water stains are left behind. As you scrub, they will get smoother.
7. Use water to rinse the shower doors.
8. Dry any water drops left behind with paper towel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I keep glass shower doors clean in between showers?

To avoid hard water stains and keep your glass door looking clean and fresh daily, use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to clean your shower doors after every shower. Always have a squeegee in your bathroom.

A vinegar and water mixture in the ratio of 1:3 in a spray bottle should be kept in the bathroom. This mixture can be sprayed every three to four days and wiped clean with a microfiber cloth.

Will cleaning glass door showers ensure they last long?

Yes, cleaning glass shower doors will help increase their lifespan. Over time, if not cleaned properly, the scum formed can damage the glass and even ourselves, as it can host all sorts of bacteria.

It is recommended to always clean your glass doors immediately after a hot shower. As the steam and warm water have already loosened up any grime, making it much easier to remove any dirt.

Is vinegar safe for the glass used in shower doors?

Although vinegar is acidic, it is very safe to use for cleaning your glass shower doors. You should avoid commercial cleaners, as some contain very harsh acids that can weaken the glass material. Vinegar doesn’t have any harmful effects, it is non-toxic, and it is eco-friendly.

Grab your vinegar!

Clean glass shower doors make the whole bathroom appear clean and inviting. Next time you notice soap scum, hard water stains, or fingerprints on your shower door, opt for vinegar to give you a sparkling look instead of using commercial cleaning solutions, which are pretty expensive.

A handheld showerhead will make your cleaning process easier. With it, you can quickly rinse off and squeegee your glass shower doors after every shower. Then, once a week use a vinegar solution spray to get the doors sparkling clean.