While cleaning the bathroom shower isn’t the most exciting chore, it beats stepping into what you think will be a relaxing shower, only to look up to be greeted by mildew spots on the ceiling. The best way to clean showers is to tackle the hard water spots, soap scum, and dirt through quick after-shower wipe downs, as the shower is already wet, and steamy which helps to loosen up any present debris. But for those who haven’t locked in that weekly deep clean, this comprehensive guide will give you the exact tools and steps you’ll need to tackle every part of your shower, regardless of whether it’s fiberglass, acrylic, tile, or stone.
A Quick Reference Chart Of The Right Tools & Materials For Cleaning Your Shower
Not sure if you have all the tools and materials you need to clean your shower? Scan through our quick reference chart below to find out.
| Shower Type/Component | Tools | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass/Acrylic | A squeegee for drying. A towel for wipe down. A soft-bristled brush for scrubbing. |
Commercial shower cleaner like ROG3. Optional: baking soda, vinegar, dish soap. |
| Tile | A squeegee for drying. A soft-bristled brush for scrubbing. A grout brush (toothbrush). |
Commercial shower cleaner like ROG3. Optional: baking soda, vinegar, dish soap. |
| Stone | A soft towel for wipe down or a microfiber cloth. A sponge. |
A stone cleaning solution. Optional: mild dish soap. |
| Shower Glass Doors | A spray bottle for easy solution spread. Non-scratch sponge or microfiber cloth. Soft toothbrush or grout brush for the tracks. |
Commercial shower cleaner like ROG3. Optional: distilled white vinegar, dish soap, and baking soda if not using a commercial cleaner. |
| Shower Head | A soft, microfiber cloth. | A plastic bag, rubber band, and distilled white vinegar for hard mineral deposits. |
| Shower Drain | Wire hanger and pliers. | White vinegar solution |
Once you’ve gathered the tools and materials you need for your shower type, and the components you’ll be cleaning today, move on down to the instructions portion of this guide.
The Best Way to Clean Showers: Step-by-Step Instructions for Fiberglass, Tile, & Stone Showers
Ready for the easiest deep clean you’ve ever experienced? Find your shower type below and follow the step-by-step instructions for a fast clean.
Deep Cleaning Your Fiberglass or Acrylic Shower
A lot of homeowners have fiberglass or acrylic-based showers because they are super affordable to purchase and install in any bathroom design. The trick for cleaning these showers the right way, is to avoid the use of harsh tools, as these shower types are susceptible to surface scratching. Here is the best way to clean fiberglass/acrylic showers.
1. Remove All Shower Accessories & Apply a Suitable Cleaner. To give your shower a thorough clean, start by removing all the shower accessories – loofah, bottles, razors, soap bars – the whole lot. Then, grab your preferred commercial shower cleaner, or choose to make your own solution by mixing equal parts vinegar and dish soap. If using a commercial shower cleaner, it’s as easy as spraying the solution evenly across the shower walls, floor, and across the hardware like the faucets, shower head, and piping. For the hardware and corners of the shower, you can use a soft-bristled brush to give them a good scrub before letting the solution sit.
2. Let The Magic Happen – Sit, Then Scrub. Now comes the really boring part; give the solution time to work its magic. Pull up a chair (or not) and sit and wait it out. For commercial cleaners, this is rather quick, being 10-minus or less usually; but read the back of the bottle first to find out. If you’re going the DIY route with the vinegar and dish soap, this solution isn’t going to be as powerful, so it may need more time to sit and work. The best thing to do with a DIY is to sprinkle a little baking soda on top of the homemade solution – but keep in mind that baking soda is abrasive, so you may want to opt out of this for your fiberglass/acrylic shower.
3. Rinse It All Away & Wipe It Down. The third and final step is to close the shower doors up, and turn on the water. If you have one of those detachable shower heads, grab it and use it to rinse away all the excess cleaning solution. Once you’re satisfied with the rinse, grab your squeegee or soft towel and get to work wiping down the shower until it’s bone dry (this prevents water spots).
The Best Way to Clean Tile Showers – Watch That Grout!
For the most part here, you’re going to be following the exact same steps as above for the fiberglass shower, but there are a few key things to watch for when it comes to ceramic or porcelain tile showers. Tile showers are extremely popular because they are low maintenance and can put up with a lot due to their high durability, but where it can get tricky is in between the lines. Yep, those grout lines are a hotspot for dirt and mildew, so you’ll need to tackle them with gusto if you want your tile showers spotless.
1. Say Goodbye to the Bottles & Apply The Cleaner. The best way to clean showers is to remove all the loose items on the inside. So, say goodbye to the shampoo and conditioner bottles, remove that loofah, and ditch the body wash and soap bars. Then, apply a suitable commercial tile cleaner to the ENTIRE shower. You could go with an equal parts vinegar and dish soap mixture, but keep it in mind it may take longer to work and take more scrubbing.
2. Let the Solution Sit and Scrub. Allow the cleaning solution to sit for several minutes to break up soap scum and hard water deposits. Then, scrub with a soft-bristled brush.
3. Rinse and Rinse Again Before Drying. Once you’re happy with how much elbow grease you’ve put in and are done with scrubbing – commercial cleaners require very little scrubbing action – it’s time to rinse it all away and dry the shower. Rinse using warm water, and then use a squeegee or soft towel to dry completely.
4. Arm Yourself With a Grout Brush. The best way to clean showers with tile and grout is to add in a fourth step to the deep cleaning ritual that specifically targets the grout lines in your shower. To clean grout in the shower, apply a mixture of two parts baking soda with one part vinegar using a grout brush or an old toothbrush. After about five minutes, scrub the grout lines and rinse clean.
The Best Way to Clean Stone Showers – Say No to Acidic or Harsh Cleaners
When it comes to stone showers, including granite, marble, travertine, and other natural stone materials, these need special cleaning techniques because they are susceptible to scratches and stains. Stone has a high permeability, which means using harsh tile cleaners or acidic ingredients like vinegar or lemon juice can actually damage the stone’s surface.
1. Spray On and Buff With Sponge. It is extremely important for stone showers that you use a cleaner that is designed specifically for stone. You can use mild dish soap with water if you feel uneasy using a chemical cleaner. When cleaning, don’t just spray the cleaner on and instead buff the surface using a soft cloth or sponge.
2. Rinse, Dry, & Maintain. Rinse the stone surface clean and dry it immediately with a soft towel. Regularly wipe the stone shower dry after each use, polish the surface weekly, and apply a stone sealer twice a year to maintain its pristine condition.
The Best Way to Clean Showers: Shower Doors, Shower Heads, Drains, and Curtains/Liners
Shower Doors
To make your glass shower doors sparkle and shine, you simply repeat the steps as found above. If you’re using a commercially-bought shower cleaner like R.O.G.3 that can be used on multiple components in your bathroom, like your faucets, countertops, and glass shower doors then you can work the steps below INTO the steps above, otherwise you may want to clean them separately. For glass shower doors, spray on a suitable cleaner and let it sit for the recommended time on the bottle, or for about 30-minutes if going the DIY route. Then, all you need to do is use a damp sponge and clean water to wipe away the cleaning solution, and then squeegee or use a microfiber cloth to dry. If you have a stone-based shower and are worried about damaging surrounding stone surfaces with a DIY solution, use a gentle dish soap with a non-scratch sponge for the doors, and a soft-bristled toothbrush for the shower tracks.
Shower Heads & Drains
You can remove mineral deposits and buildup from your shower head without even taking it off. The idea here is to take distilled vinegar, fill up a plastic bag with enough that it will cover the shower head, and then secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Wait for about one hour before removing the bag and turning on the water to flush out the vinegar. Dry and polish the shower head with a soft cloth. Repeat this process monthly to keep your shower head free from buildup.
To fix slow-moving shower drains, all you need is a few common household ingredients. Begin by removing the drain’s cover and soaking it in white vinegar to remove soapy residue. Then use pliers to straighten out a wire hanger and create a hook at one end. Carefully lower the wire into the drain and use the hooked end to pull out the clog, repeating as necessary until the drain is clear.
Shower Curtains & Liners
When it comes to your shower curtains and liners, these can hold mold and mildew if not aired out after showering. A good idea is to check the tags to see if they are machine-washable or disposal, and routinely clean them or replace them as needed.
What Are The Best Shower Cleaning Tools?
The appropriate cleaning supplies will make it much easier to scrub away dirt and grime in your shower. A brush is more effective than a sponge at loosening soap scum and water deposits. Opt for one with a diamond-shaped head, which reaches into corners more easily than a brush with a flat head. Also, keep a squeegee or an absorbent bath towel handy to clear away excess water from walls and doors after each shower, preventing water spots and soap scum buildup. Squeegees with suction-cup handles can be attached to the shower wall for added convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions For The Best Way to Showers
1. Is it safe to clean a shower with vinegar?
a. You can use vinegar to clean your shower if the shower is not made from natural stone.
2. How do you clean a walk-in shower?
a. The process is no different from the steps provided in this guide.
3. How do you rinse off shower walls effectively?
a. If you have a handheld shower head, use it to spray and rinse the shower walls after cleaning, or alternatively you can use a spray bottle.
Discovering the best way to clean showers doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll efficiently clean and maintain various shower materials, from fiberglass to natural stone. And for those tough stains and grime, don’t forget to check out ROG3 products, trusted by homeowners and hotel professionals alike. Transform your bathroom into a sparkling, hygienic haven today. Visit https://www.rog3.com/ to learn more! Happy cleaning!