How to Clean a Shower

How to Clean Ceramic Tile Showers

The biggest challenge with cleaning tile showers is the grout, especially if left unsealed. The porous nature of the grout makes it the perfect growth medium for mildew spores, so it's essential to keep up with cleaning to keep mildew away.

1. Empty the Shower

   The shower will be much easier to clean if you remove all the shampoo bottles, soap, razors, poofs, and toys. Combine products and recycle any empty bottles.

   Wipe each item with a cloth dipped in hot water to remove any sticky messes or mold. Remove hair from the drain.

2. Ventilate and Wet the Walls

   To help ventilate any fumes from cleaning supplies (and allow the shower to dry quickly), turn on the bathroom fan and open the door and windows.

   Use a bucket or a handheld showerhead like the Waterpik ShowerClean Pro with a pressure rinse head to wet the shower walls.

3. Remove Mildew

   If you notice mildew on the grout, tackle it before you move on to the usual grime.

   • Mix a solution of one part chlorine bleach and two parts water.
   • While wearing rubber gloves, apply the solution to the mildewed grout with a sponge.
   • Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes, then scrub the grout with a soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush.
   • Rinse the area well with hot water before moving to the next step.

   Warning

   Never mix cleaning solutions like chlorine bleach and ammonia that can cause toxic fumes.

4. Apply the Cleaner and Wait

   Whether using a commercial cleaner or a homemade solution, the key to easier cleaning is giving the product time to do its job.

   Spray cleaner on the shower's walls and floor, and step away for at least five to 10 minutes. The cleaner will begin to break apart the soap scum and soil and lessen your need to scrub.

5. Scrub and Rinse

   Clean every section of the walls and floor using a sponge or plastic mesh scrubber. Never use a metal scrubber or hard-bristle brush because they can scratch the ceramic tile.

   Rinse the walls with clean water, starting at the top and moving down.

6. Squeegee Dry

   Use a squeegee or old towels to remove any water from every surface. Skipping this step will result in water spots.

How to Clean Fiberglass Showers

Fiberglass shower enclosures are durable and easy to clean using the right tools and products. It's essential never to use anything that will scratch the fiberglass surface, especially regarding what you clean with. When scratches occur, soil settles into the area, making cleaning harder.

1. Empty, Spritz, and Squeegee

   After removing all the bottles and accessories in the shower, spray the walls and floor with distilled white vinegar.

   Use a squeegee to wipe down the walls. The vinegar will cut through soap scum and any minerals in water spots.

2. Scrub the Floor

   Fiberglass floors are usually textured and need some scrubbing to remove grime. Use a good scrub brush or a soft-bristle brush to scrub away the dirt on the textured floor. Rinse with water.
   

   Tip

   Once your fiberglass shower stall is sparkling clean, you can use fiberglass boat wax to provide a protective coating on the walls, allowing water to run right off without spotting. However, never use the wax on the floor because it can leave a slippery finish.

How to Clean Stone Showers

If you have upgraded to marble, granite, or another natural stone as a finish, your shower should be cleaned a bit differently. By wiping down the walls after every use, you should only clean the stone once a week.

1. Empty and Spray

   Empty the shower of all loose items. Spray down the walls with a commercial stone cleaner or 1 tablespoon of dishwashing soap solution in 1 quart of warm water.

   Wipe down with a microfiber cloth, using a bit of extra elbow grease on any water spots and soap scum. Rinse with clean water and dry with a microfiber cloth, starting at the top of the shower and working to the bottom to avoid streaking.

2. Treat Mildew

   If you spot any mildew on the stone or grout, mix one part chlorine bleach and one part water.

   While wearing rubber gloves, dip a sponge into the mixture and apply it to the mildewed area. You can use a toothbrush to reach smaller grout areas.

   Let the solution sit and work for 15 minutes, scrubbing lightly with a soft-bristle brush and then rinsing away with plain water.

3. Reseal the Stone (Twice a Year)

   Natural stone typically needs a barrier to prevent chemicals and water from penetrating the stone. Sealing the stone twice a year prevents bacteria from settling into the natural crevices of the stone's surface.

   After the stone is immaculate and dry, apply a sealer in small sections following product directions. Buff with a soft cloth until all of the sealant is absorbed.

How to Clean Glass Shower Doors

1. Make a Cleaning Solution

   You can use a store-bought cleaning solution or make a solution from equal parts distilled white vinegar and dish soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.

2. Spray Cleaning Solution

   Spray the cleaning solution on both sides of the shower door. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes.

3. Wipe Clean

   Use a damp sponge and clean water to wipe away the cleaning solution. Dry the surface with a microfiber cloth.
   

   Tip

   To inhibit water spots, use Rain-X water repellent for your door and glass surfaces to repel water from the surface.

How to Clean a Showerhead

Here's how to quickly clean a showerhead without unthreading it. The inside of the showerhead is a dark, moist place where mold and mildew can flourish. If left to multiply, a showerhead becomes a way to spread mold spores every time you shower.

1. Soak Showerhead

   Use distilled white vinegar as a soaking solution and soak the showerhead in a plastic bag filled with vinegar for one hour. Secure the bag by tying it with twist ties or rubber bands.

2. Rinse, Wipe, and Dry

   After an hour, turn on the water to flush the showerhead. Dry the showerhead and polish it with a soft cloth and repeat monthly.
   

How to Clean a Shower Drain

Clean any clogs from your shower to prevent water from accumulating on the bath floor.

1. Remove and Clean Drain Cover

   Remove the drain's cover and soak it in white vinegar to remove soapy residue.
   

2. Remove Clog

   Use a drain snake or a straightened-out wire hanger to make a small hook to pull out hair clogs or other shower gunk on one end.

3. Rinse Drain

   Run hot water down the drain to flush out any remaining buildup.
   

How to Remove Stains From Showers

Removing Rust Stains

If a metal can or any other object leaves a rusty ring in the shower, apply a paste of lemon juice and baking soda to remove the stain. However, if the stain is large or old, you must use a commercial cleaner that contains oxalic acid.

Eliminating Adhesive Residue

If you've had stickers on the shower floor or a removable accessory left some goo, use olive oil to saturate the area. Allow it to sit and work for at least 15 minutes, and then use a plastic scraper or the edge of a credit card to remove the goo. If a bit of glue is left, some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball will typically remove it.

Tips to Keep Your Shower Clean Longer

• Prevent mold and mildew by removing moisture. Towel down a shower after you shower, improve ventilation by using the exhaust fan every time you shower, open a window, or if you don't have a window or ventilation is poor, get a dehumidifier for the bathroom.
  
• Bath mats with suction cups are necessary for certain slippery showers and bathtubs, but they're also a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Wash them every week and replace them every two years to prevent a mold problem from brewing.
  
• If you need a quick remedy for cleaning mold off your vinyl shower curtain liner, a melamine sponge, like Magic Eraser, can wipe away your woes.
  
• Shower caddies or shower nooks also tend to harbor mold and mildew in crevices; remember to clean these areas when you shower.