A simple step-by-step guide on how to clean a shower, and keep it clean.
Showers are a great way to start the day fresh and energized. They're also a great way to end it. Showering is a time for relaxation, stress relief, and reflection on your day. But if you don't take care of it properly, the shower can quickly become dirty and smelly, with soap scum build-up on tile walls or mildew in corners.
The key to keeping your shower clean is making sure you clean as often as needed without scrubbing away all of the dirt that builds up naturally from use. It can be tempting to overclean because we want our showers looking sparkling every time we step into them but this will only lead to more problems down the road when you have nothing left but a weakened grout to scrub away.
The frequency of your shower cleaning will depend on the number of people who use it, how hard your water is, and how often you use it. If only one person ever uses the shower or water isn't lifted out of it too often, you can probably clean it every other week. If it's used multiple times a day or has hard water, you should try to wipe it down daily or every other day.
How do showers get dirty?
Showers get dirty because of a build-up of soap scum and hard water. Soap scum is actually composed of several ingredients found in many bar and liquid soaps. These include: glycerine, fat (triglycerides), salts of fatty acids, water, and preservatives.
When you use your soap, some of these ingredients get left behind on the walls and corners of your shower. Over time, this build-up creates a filmy layer of soap scum that absorbs dirt and makes your shower look dirty.
Hard water is made up of calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, and other metal ions that do not easily dissolve in water. These particles collect on the walls of your shower and also create a filmy layer that makes your shower look dirty.
Don't use any harsh chemicals
While it might seem like using harsher products will do a better job at removing dirt and grime, it will also strip away the chemicals that hold together your shower tile.
Turn off the water
It's best to keep the water off while you're cleaning in order to avoid loosening grout and eroding soap scum.
Wipe down your showerhead and faucet regularly
A showerhead can gather dirt and grime just like any other part of the shower. Some people like to clean their bathroom once a week and wipe down all surfaces, including the showerhead. If you're only cleaning your shower, wiping it down every other week or once a month will do just fine.
Use dry paper towels to clean up water spots
If you don't have any sponges to use, paper towels are great for absorbing water and leaving the remaining surfaces dry.
Throw out your shower curtain liner after two years, if not sooner.
These liners get dirtier over time and can contribute to a more dirty shower. If you don't want to go through the hassle of cleaning the liner, it may be best to replace it after two years.
Clean your glass shower doors regularly with a squeegee
There is nothing worse than a glass shower door covered in water spots. Spots will make your shower appear dirty even though it's been recently cleaned. Be sure to wipe down the doors, squeegee them dry, and then give them a wipe down with a towel to remove any excess water.
Clean your shower curtain liner with mild soap and warm water
If you're looking for a simple way to clean your shower curtain, all you need is some mild soap and warm water. Be sure to throw the liner in the washing machine with your towels at least once every two months or so to keep it looking new.
How do professionals clean showers?
Professionals use a mix of chemicals and tools to get your shower looking like new. They will use a spray-on product that loosens grime and soap scum so that it can be easily wiped away.
This spray-on product will usually contain surfactants, alkalines, and acids that will help break down grime. They'll then use a scrub brush to remove as much soap scum as possible before wiping everything down with a squeegee.
Final thoughts
No matter how often you clean your shower, it can get dirty quickly. Avoid using harsh chemicals that may damage your tile and grout. Instead, wipe down your shower after every use and give it a thorough cleaning once or twice a month.
Use simple household items like vinegar and baking soda to clean your grout. Throw out your shower curtain liner regularly for easy cleaning, or clean it with a washing machine. Use a squeegee to ensure your glass showers doors don't have water spots. And, if you have a shower curtain, be sure to clean it regularly.
