While fiberglass showers are the epitome of shiny, bright, and beautifully white, they can be a struggle to keep clean if not regularly maintained. And, as you likely know, cleaning a fiberglass shower once it’s got quite a bit of buildup of grit and grime on it, means you’re in for an unpleasant cleaning experience. To prevent soap scum, limescale, and mildew from taking over your shower, the best shower cleaner product to purchase is going to be one designed specifically for fiberglass. Before we jump into why this is, let’s briefly touch on fiberglass as a material, and why DIY methods may not be the best option for you.
Material: What You Need to Know About Fiberglass Showers
While fiberglass showers are a popular choice among homeowners for their easy installation, repairability, and flexibility to fit with any bathroom design, they are susceptible to the buildup of soap scum, mildew, and limescale due to their porous surface. This permeable surface also means that fiberglass showers are sensitive to staining from things like hair products, makeup, and even bath bombs. The best shower cleaner to use is going to take this penetrable surface into account so that you’re not damaging your shower as you clean it.
How Are Fiberglass Showers Made?
Fiberglass showers are made from a mixture of polyester resin and woven glass fibers that are poured into a gel-coated mold. When a fiberglass shower comes out of this mold, it is one seamless unit. However, because the base layer of the fiberglass shower is glass, there are tiny holes within it that allow liquid or air to pass into them. This means that when a fiberglass shower isn’t cleaned properly or is left too long, the fiberglass will absorb leftover water, lending to the formation of mildew and soap scum.
Why DIY Solutions Aren’t The Best Choice
When taking a look online for the best way to clean a fiberglass shower, you may come across several do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions that recommend using items like baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. While these may work in the short term, they are not likely to be as effective as a shower clean that is formulated for fiberglass, and if used in the wrong quantities, may even damage your shower in the long run.
For example, one popular DIY solution is to use white vinegar often mixed with water, dish soap, or baking soda. If you use too much baking soda, the abrasiveness of it may scratch your gel-top-coating, and the acidity of too much vinegar can eat away at the gel-coat. If the gel finish comes away, this will lead to a loss of shine, and in extreme cases, your shower may scratch more easily or become discolored quicker.
You want to avoid anything that is abrasive in nature as these will also dull your fiberglass shower. This includes using items like Borax, steel wool, brillo pads, or scouring pads.
What to Look for in a Fiberglass Shower Cleaner?
When on the lookout for the best shower cleaner to use on your fiberglass shower and tub, there are a few key characteristics you’ll want to keep in mind.
- A non-abrasive and non-acidic formula.
- Works on all aspects of the fiberglass shower (walls, grout, tile).
- Provides a protective barrier against future build-up.
- The ability to remove tough stains and restore your shower like it’s brand new.
- The ability to cut through soap scum, mildew, and limescale without an excessive amount of harsh scrubbing required on your end.
One product that meets and exceeds all of these criteria is R.O.G. 3. It is safe to use on all kinds of showers, including fiberglass, and acrylic. It can be used on the shower walls, doors, tile, and even on the grout. It is made from a non-abrasive, non-acidic formula that is non-toxic and safe to use around your family and pets. In addition to maintaining slip prevention, it provides a protective barrier against future buildup, and it is able to remove tough stains (hair dye), water spots, dirt, and even blood making it one of the best shower cleaners available.
How Much Effort Does R.O.G. 3 Take?
If you’re using the R.O.G. 3 kit, not much effort is required. Simply apply the blue R.O.G. 3 and let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub a tiny bit, and then apply the R.O.G. 1 white cream. Then scrub a little more and rinse your fiberglass shower out and you’re done. R.O.G 3 cuts through soap scum, mildew, and limescale with ease – making it the best shower cleaner for anyone who wants to restore their fiberglass shower to its original glory.