Top-to-Bottom Shower Cleaning – Expert Tips to Make Your Shower Sparkle

Want to keep your shower looking sparkling clean? We’ve got you covered with a friendly step-by-step guide on how to clean showers made from fiberglass, tile, and stone! We’ll show you how to tackle everything from the showerhead and doors to the grout and more. Over time, things like dirt, dust, hard water spots, mildew, and soap scum can accumulate, but don’t worry!

The best time to give your shower a deep clean is right after you use it. The surfaces will be nice and wet, and that steamy warmth makes it so much easier to loosen up dirt. With these simple cleaning tips, you can enjoy a gleaming shower with very little scrubbing. Happy cleaning!

We have collected these tips from Jessica Bennett, Former Digital Assistant Home Editor, an author of bhg.com

Determining the Frequency for Shower Cleaning

To maintain a clean and inviting shower environment, it is generally advisable to perform a light cleaning once a week. While a full deep clean may not be necessary every week, attending to the shower floor and wiping down shelves regularly can help prevent the buildup of soap scum, mildew, and grime. For glass enclosures and doors, consider using a squeegee and rinsing them more frequently to minimize splatters and streaks. Additionally, incorporating a more thorough deep cleaning of the entire shower, including the liner and showerhead, into your monthly cleaning routine can be beneficial.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Soft-bristle brush
• Squeegee
• Towel
• Grout brush
• Sponge
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cloth
• Toothbrush
• Wire hanger
• Pliers

Materials

• Commercial shower cleaner
• Baking soda
• Commercial tile cleaner
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Stone cleaning solution
• Plastic bag
• Rubber band

Guidelines for Cleaning a Fiberglass Shower

Showers made from fiberglass or acrylic are a favored choice in numerous households due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of installation. This type of shower is also relatively simple to maintain using common household cleaning supplies. It’s advisable to avoid abrasive scrubbing tools, as they may scratch the surface of a fiberglass shower.

Spray Shower with Cleaner

First, take out all shower accessories and bottles. Then, spray the whole area with a commercial shower cleaner or a homemade cleaner made of equal parts vinegar and dish soap. Remember to clean the hardware too, as soap scum builds up on shower faucets. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean around the faucets and in the corners.

Let Sit and Scrub

To clean the grime from the shower floor, first sprinkle baking soda over the wet area. The floor should still be damp from the vinegar and dish soap mixture. Let the baking soda sit for about 10 minutes, then gently scrub it with a soft brush.

Rinse and Wipe Dry

Rinse the shower with water. Use a squeegee or towel to wipe away extra water. This helps prevent water spots.

Guidelines for Cleaning a Tile Shower

Showers that feature ceramic or porcelain tiles are not only durable but also pretty easy to take care of! However, the grout between those tiles can sometimes attract a bit of grime and mildew. Thankfully, keeping your shower looking fresh doesn’t have to be a hassle. Using a top-quality shower tile cleaner can make the job a lot simpler!

Spray Shower with Cleaner

For optimal results, you may consider applying a commercial tile cleaner or a blend of equal parts vinegar and dish soap to your shower tiles..

Let Sit and Scrub

Allow a few minutes for the cleaning solution to effectively work on breaking down soap scum and hard water deposits. After this brief waiting period, gently scrub the area with a soft-bristled brush for optimal results.

Rinse and Wipe Dry

Please ensure thorough rinsing. To achieve the best results, gently remove any excess water from the surface using a squeegee or a towel. Thank you!

Clean Grout

To effectively clean the grout in your shower, you might consider using a mixture of two parts baking soda and one part vinegar. Applying this blend with a grout brush or an old toothbrush can be quite helpful. Allow it to sit for approximately five minutes before gently scrubbing the grout lines and rinsing thoroughly for optimal results.

Guidelines for Cleaning a Stone Shower

When caring for stone showers, such as those crafted from granite, marble, travertine, and other natural stones, it is important to use appropriate cleaning methods. Due to the material’s innate permeability, it is particularly sensitive to scratches and stains. To preserve the integrity of the stone’s surface, it is advisable to avoid harsh tile cleaners or acidic substances like vinegar or lemon juice, as these can potentially cause damage.

Apply Cleaning Solution

Use cleaning products made for your type of stone, or mix a little mild dish soap with water. Gently buff the surface with a sponge or a microfiber cloth.

Rinse, Dry, and Maintain

Rinse your stone shower and dry it right away with a soft towel. Wipe it dry after each use. Polish the surface once a week and apply a stone sealer twice a year.

How to Clean Shower Doors

To make your glass shower doors sparkle and shine, follow these cleaning tips.

Apply Cleaning Solution

Heat some distilled white vinegar in the microwave. Mix it with the same amount of dish soap. Pour your homemade glass cleaner into a spray bottle. Spray both sides of the doors.

Wipe, Rinse, and Dry

After approximately 30 minutes, it is recommended to gently use a damp sponge along with clean water to carefully wipe away the cleaning solution. Following this step, drying the surface with a microfiber cloth will help achieve the best results.

If you have concerns about potentially harming nearby stone surfaces, consider using a mixture of baking soda and dish soap instead of a vinegar solution. Gently apply this paste to the glass shower doors and use a non-scratch sponge for scrubbing. For cleaning the shower door track, a soft toothbrush paired with a mild dishwashing liquid can be quite effective. Be sure to rinse everything thoroughly afterward.

How to Clean a Showerhead

You can effectively eliminate mineral deposits and buildup from your showerhead without the need to remove it.

Soak Showerhead

To effectively clean your showerhead, consider filling a plastic bag with distilled white vinegar. Once filled, gently place the bag over the showerhead and secure it in place with a rubber band for optimal results.

Dry and Polish

Wait approximately one hour before removing the bag and turning on the water to flush the showerhead. Afterward, gently dry and polish the showerhead using a soft cloth. To maintain optimal performance and keep your showerhead free from buildup, consider repeating this process about once a month.

How to Clean a Shower Drain

If you’re experiencing a slow-moving shower drain, you can address this issue using a wire hanger along with some common household ingredients.

Remove Drain Cover

To begin, you might consider removing the drain’s cover and allowing it to soak in white vinegar. This can help effectively eliminate any soapy residue.

Remove Clog and Rinse

To address a clog in your drain, you might consider using pliers to gently straighten a wire hanger and create a hook at one end. Carefully lower the wire into the drain, utilizing the hooked end to gently extract the obstruction. You may need to repeat this process until the drain is clear. Afterward, running hot water down the drain can help flush away any remaining buildup.

How to Clean Shower Curtains and Liners

Shower curtains and liners can sometimes accumulate dust, germs, and mold or mildew, but cleaning them is a straightforward process. Many of these items are machine-washable; it’s a good practice to refer to the care tag for specific instructions. To clean, carefully remove the rings or clips, and place the curtain and liner in the washer on a gentle cycle using warm water. Once cleaned, simply rehang them and allow them to air dry.

Best Shower Cleaning Tools

Choosing the right cleaning supplies can make it easier to clean your shower. A brush is generally better than a sponge for removing soap scum and water spots. It’s best to use a brush with a diamond-shaped head because it can reach corners more effectively than a flat-headed brush. Keep a squeegee or a bath towel nearby to wipe off excess water from the walls and doors right after you shower. This helps prevent water spots and soap scum buildup. Many squeegees have suction-cup handles that stick to the shower wall for convenience.

The best shower cleaner depends on the type of material your shower is made from. Some surfaces need special care, so it’s important to use cleaning products and scrubbers that match your shower’s material. Daily cleaning sprays can help prevent soap buildup and work well for most materials. It’s a good idea to spray the shower walls after each use, following the product instructions. However, be careful not to use too much spray, as this can cause streaks. Some sprays contain oily ingredients to help repel water and soap; only apply these to the walls to keep the shower floor safe and slip-free.