The Best Way to Clean Shower Glass without Vinegar
Cleaning shower glass doesn’t have to be time-consuming or labor-intensive if you keep up with a schedule.
While shower glass doors can make your bathroom look bigger, they are hard to keep clean. Soap scum and water spots build-up due to constant moisture, a lot of use, or hard water.
If you want to get and keep your shower glass clean but don’t like using vinegar, you’re in luck. There are natural methods and store-bought products that will leave your glass crystal clear.
Top Five Ways to Clean Shower Glass without Vinegar
There’s more than one way to tackle a dirty shower door. These solutions are tough on soap scum and hard water buildup.
Lemon Juice Cleaner
Vinegar is effective at breaking down hard water stains because of its high acidity. If you hate the smell but want a similar cleaner, use lemon juice instead.
Here’s what to do:
- Add three TBS of lemon juice and one cup of water to a spray bottle (you can use bottled or fresh lemon juice)
- Spray your shower door and let the mixture sit for five minutes
- Wipe the solution from the glass using a damp sponge or microfiber cloth – use downward motions while wiping
- Repeat if needed
Homemade Ammonia-Based Cleaner
Ammonia is an active ingredient in many glass cleaners and works just as well on shower doors.
To make your own ammonia shower glass cleaner fill a spray bottle with one quart of warm water and one tablespoon of ammonia. Spray the glass and wait five minutes before wiping it clean. Repeat if needed.
Store-Bought Soap Scum Remover
While homemade cleaners are popular, store-bought cleaners work just as well, sometimes better than DIY versions.
If you have no interest in making your own shower glass door cleaner, here are some top-rated products you can purchase:
Magic Eraser
Magic Erasers remove soap scum and hard water stains. But they work best when used with another method. For example, try cleaning your shower door with lemon juice first. Then after wiping away the lemon juice solution, go over the door with a damp Magic Eraser, concentrating on stubborn spots.
WD-40 (Last Resort)
WD-40 is a solvent capable of breaking down stubborn hard water stains. Since WD-40 stinks and can make your floors slippery, save it as a last resort.
If you have hard water or soap scum stains that won’t come off with any other method, here’s how to treat them with WD-40:
- Spray WD-40 on hard water stains
- Scrub with a sponge
- Rinse with water and dry
Lay towels on the floor before using the product, so the overspray or drips are easy to clean up.
How to Keep Your Glass Shower Door Clean
Once you get your shower glass clean, keep it that way with a bit of upkeep.
- After every shower – Keep a squeegee in the shower and use it to clean the door after each use. Without water on the door, hard water spots and mildew won’t be able to form.
- Every week – Spray the shower glass door with an appropriate shower or glass cleaner and wipe clean.
- Once per month – Deep clean the shower glass using one of the methods above.
- Use a water repellant (optional) – Consider a product like Rain x Shower Door Water Repellent for added protection. It will add a coating that causes water to bead, preventing it from sticking to the surface and causing stains. But be warned, this product does put off fumes, so if you’re sensitive to chemical-laden cleaners, skip this step.