How To Clean Heavy Grime from Shower Glass
It's always nice to keep the house spick and span, but a clean shower area can make the start to each day particularly enjoyable. Shower glass is a feature that is found in many bathrooms to help contain splashes and create a room with a feeling of both structure and openness. Most household glass is fairly resistant to cleaning chemicals and to scratching. However, shower glass may be treated with materials that make it more susceptible to damage while cleaning. These instructions are created to minimize risk of damage to shower glass.
Caked on grime spoils all these aspects, as well as creating an unsanitary and unsightly shower environment. To remove caked on grime and help restore your bathroom, use the following basic steps to address the problem. Glass textures and protective coatings can vary somewhat, so test all cleaning solutions and application techniques in an inconspicuous location before using them in a wider area.
If possible, remove the shower glass from the track and clean outside with the aid of a garden hose so that the grime will not migrate to other, cleaner surfaces in the bathroom. If the glass is not easily removed, or if you are concerned that it cannot be moved safely, the methods and cleaning solutions are still effective. For shower glass that you are cleaning in the bathroom, try running a hot shower first for several minutes to allow the heat and humidity to soften the stain.
As much bulky, greasy buildup should be removed right away. Use a wooden spatula, paint stick or similar blunt implement to gently scrape away any grime that has a built up thickness. Work in small sections, removing the grime from the scraper with a paper towel as necessary. Vinegar is an excellent grease-cutting remedy in this case. Avoid getting vinegar on objects with metal finish such as fixtures and the shower track as the mild acid may damage the finish. If you find the odor of white vinegar bothersome, you can substitute apple cider vinegar. Apply the vinegar undiluted or equal parts vinegar and water with a clean sponge, working in small sections and beginning with the most problematic areas first. If the vinegar is not quite aggressive enough, cornstarch can be added to help dislodge the grease and create a creamier cleanser. Baking soda is not recommended as it may be excessively abrasive for the softer vinyl coatings that are often put on shower glass.
Once you have used vinegar, or vinegar and cornstarch, to remove the bulk of the caked on grime, rinse the shower glass well. Follow with a lightly sudsy solution of water, applied with a clean sponge to remove the vinegar/cornstarch residue and any remaining grime. Rinse well with water. Use a squeegee to wick away water and help prevent excess moisture that encourages mildew growth and other buildup. For an extra shine, wipe the shower glass with crumpled newspaper that has been dampened with rubbing alcohol.
Caution: Never mix cleaning agents or chemicals, the result can be dangerous or deadly. Before cleaning, always test the agent on an inconspicuous location to determine its suitability and to make certain it does not damage the material. Wear appropriate clothing such as gloves and protective eyewear, and work in a well-ventilated area. Accidental inhalation or ingestion of cleaning agents can be hazardous and even fatal, particularly to pets and children.
