Shower Door Cleaning: Best Cleaning Tips for Post-Shower Installation 

First, you’ll need to find the best cleaner for glass shower doors. Both DIY cleaners made from things you have around the house and store-bought commercial cleaners can do the trick. It’s all about finding the glass cleaner that you prefer, but we’ll get you started with a few suggestions.

Making a DIY Shower Door Cleaner

When you’re making a cleaner for your glass shower door, the goal is to create something that can break down mineral buildup and soap scum while restoring shine. One of the easiest, safest, and most popular choices is a solution of two tablespoons of Dawn liquid dish detergent (or the foaming dish detergent of your choosing) per one cup of distilled white vinegar. You can also swap out the vinegar for a mild citric acid. Either way, add your mixture to a clean spray bottle* for convenient use and storage.

*Do not repurpose a spray bottle that used to contain bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or ammonia if you are making a DIY cleaning spray. Doing so can create toxic gas that is hazardous to your health.

Best Commercial Cleaner for Glass Shower Doors

Maybe you’re more inclined to purchase a shower door cleaner than make one. That’s totally fine! Here are some of the commercial cleaning solutions we recommend for cleaning your glass shower door:

• Bar Keepers Friend: You can either purchase the Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray + Foam or mix Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser Powder with water to create a paste.
• The Pink Stuff: While you can The Pink Stuff Miracle Multi-Purpose Cleaner, we recommend The Pink Stuff Miracle Bathroom Foam Cleaner, which is specifically designed to break down soap scum and limescale.
• CLR Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover: This is a great choice if you live in an area with hard water, which many of our homeowners do. It is also effective at breaking down soap scum, but that isn’t what it was formulated to do, so it may not be your best bet if soap scum is your main concern.

Tools for Cleaning Shower Doors

Your cleaning solution is the first half of the puzzle, but it won’t take you where you need to go without the right tools. Consider keeping the following on hand:

• A sponge (kitchen grade) or non-scratch scrubber like a Scrub Daddy: Use these to work your cleaning solution into the glass and break up soap scum.
• A rubber squeegee: Use this to wipe away water after showering (more details below).
• A clean towel or microfiber cloth: Use this to dry off your shower door after cleaning it.

One of the best ways to deal with shower door cleaning when you have hard water is to take a preventative approach. Let’s talk about two important elements of hard water prevention.

Hang a Squeegee in Your Shower

Remember that squeegee we just mentioned? If you can get into the habit of using it often, it’s going to make a huge difference.

You don’t need anything particularly fancy for this. Something like the $7 MOXIE All Purpose Rubber Shower Squeegee will do the trick. Consider hanging your squeegee in or near the shower with a suction cup hook so it’s always right where you need it.

Now, all you need to do is use your squeegee to remove excess water from your shower door, preferably after each use. This might sound time consuming, but it only takes a minute or two. Even if you don’t get your shower door perfectly dry, completing this process often will drastically lower your hard water stains and buildup (and buy you more time between deeper cleanings).

Can You Use Rain-X on Your Glass Shower Door?

Some homeowners suggest using a product called Rain-X on glass shower doors. Rain-X is a product that was originally formulated for windshields and is designed to repel water. The idea behind using it on your glass shower door is that it will repel hard water, preventing things like stains and mineral buildup. Does this work? Is it a good idea?

The short answer is yes, you can use Rain-X products as a preventative method to keep your shower doors clean. However, we strongly recommend using the Rain-X products they’ve designed for shower doors, not the products designed for cars. This includes:

• Rain-X Shower Door X-treme Clean: A cleanser that removes existing soap scum and stains while leaving behind a clean water-repellant coating that lasts for weeks.
• Rain-X Shower Door Water Repellent: A repellant-only product (as in, not a cleanser) that can last for months at a time. Note that this requires multiple steps to apply and requires proper ventilation and protective gear.

Soap scum can leave your glass shower door looking cloudy and aged, but the right cleaning routine can bring it back to like-new condition. To remove soap scum for your shower door, start with your cleaning spray of choice (basically anything from our list above except, perhaps, CLR Calcium, Lime, & Rust Remover) a sponge or Scrub Daddy, and a towel or cloth.

1. First, spray a thin layer of cleanser on the inside of your shower door. Allow it to sit for at least 15 minutes to start breaking down that stuck-on soap scum.
2. Then, wipe away the cleanser and loosened soap scum using your towel or cloth, moving in straight lines.
3. If needed, spray another thin layer of cleanser on your shower door, focusing on areas that still have stuck-on soap scum.
4. Gently scrub the cleanser into your shower door using your sponge or Scrub Daddy, once again moving in straight lines.
5. Rinse the excess cleanser and remaining soap scum away. Use a dry towel or your squeegee to dry.

• Do NOT use an abrasive scrubbing pad: Steel wool and other abrasive tools can create micro-scratches in your glass shower door. Some people may suggest #0000 grade steel wool for stubborn buildup, but we don’t recommend using any steel wool, even if it’s ultra-fine.
• Do NOT use harsh chemicals like bleach: Bleach is a disinfectant, not a cleanser. Not only is it not the right chemical for breaking down soap scum and mineral deposits, but it can also corrode the hardware on your shower door.
• Do NOT do your final scrub or wipe in circular motions: This is what tends to leave behind visible streaks. Instead, work in straight lines with everything from your sponge to your towel, just like you would with your squeegee.

All you need to keep your shower door like new is the right supplies and the right steps. With this guide, shower door cleaning becomes a breeze, so don’t hesitate to bookmark it and come back for a reminder!

With a new walk-in shower or tub-shower combo, the glass enclosure is only half the story. At ZINTEX Remodeling Group, we’re a leader in high-quality acrylic shower wall systems. Take a look at our guide on how to clean your acrylic shower wall panels.