How to Clean Glass Shower Doors and Other Glass Surfaces

AD It YourselfHow to Clean Glass Shower Doors and Other Glass SurfacesA sparkling guide to glass cleaningMay 9, 2022Cleaning glass shower doors is easier than you think.Cleaning glass shower doors is easier than you think.Illustration: Julia Abbonizio/Getty Images

Nothing ruins the look of a clean bathroom quite like glass shower doors covered in streaks, hard water stains, and grime. But how to clean glass shower doors properly? Worry not, our cleaning tips for pristine glass surfaces are pretty clear, and simple to boot. “You can easily keep your shower doors clean with a homemade concoction and a few tools,” says Ray Brosnan, managing director and contractor at Brosnan Property Solutions in Cork, Ireland. Once you’ve mastered the tried-and-true secrets of glass shower door cleaning, you can clean all of your other glass surfaces—splotchy mirrors, grimy windows—with ease.

How often should you clean glass shower doors?

“Ideally you should be cleaning your shower doors once a week, then once a month you should give the entire shower a thorough, deep clean,” Brosnan says. Although weekly bathroom cleaning is always a good idea, you can extend the longevity of your cleaning efforts by implementing a few prevention techniques.

To keep soap scum from building up on shower doors, use a squeegee to dry the glass after every shower. Water spots appear on your shower’s glass doors when the water dries there, so it’s best to remove them before they get the chance. A few quick swipes will save you lots of cleaning time in the long run. You can also prevent buildup by applying lemon furniture oil to the glass. Rub on the oil with a soft cloth, let sit for a few minutes, then polish off excess with a clean rag. Try this simple DIY method for clean glass shower doors.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

The key to clean shower doors is the right supplies. Even though a commercial glass cleaner could work, you can avoid harsh chemicals with this simple DIY shower door cleaner using ingredients on hand. To make this at-home solution you’ll need:

  • Water
  • White vinegar (avoid if you have any marble or stone in your shower)
  • Dish soap
  • Lemon juice
  • While deep cleaning, you’ll also need the following cleaning products:

  • A non-abrasive sponge or dry microfiber cloth
  • Squeegee
  • Two spray bottles
  • Newspaper
  • Step 2: Mix your cleaning solution

    “Most glass shower doors will be lightly coated with a soapy scum, but this can be blitzed easily with a natural cleaning product such as vinegar,” Brosnan says. Start by combining two pumps of dish detergent with some white vinegar in a spray bottle. “If you’re worried about a strong vinegar smell lingering in your bathroom, just dilute the mixture with some water,” he says. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of an essential oil to mask the strong odor from the vinegar.

    Step 3: Spray vinegar solution onto the glass surface

    After mixing your solution, spray it all over the glass shower doors and let it sit for about 30 minutes. While you’re waiting, this could be a great time to clean other areas of the shower where mineral deposits and other buildup can occur, like grout, the shower door tracks, shower head, and faucets. After half an hour, scrub the doors with a non-abrasive sponge and wipe away with a clean cloth.

    Step 4: Use water and lemon juice for a streak-free finish

    The vinegar solution should take care of stubborn hard water spots and other grime, and lemon juice helps with a streak-free finish. Start by mixing equal parts water and lemon juice in your second spray bottle and spray all over the glass doors. Though you can use a squeegee or microfiber cloth to wipe away the lemon juice, Brosnan recommends using newspaper. “The paper soaks up all of the moisture as opposed to just pushing it around, making it perfect for a streak-free finish,” he says. Don’t think that paper towels are an even swamp for newspapers. Its pulpy texture is the prime culprit for streaks and lint.

    Next, tackle your mirror

    Once you know how to clean glass shower doors, keep your supplies out and scrub the mirror. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Vinegar
  • Water
  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Step 1: Remove toothpaste and makeup spots

    If your mirror has any spots of toothpaste, makeup, or other buildup, use warm water and a clean cloth to remove them. Take a duster across the surface to clean the mirror of debris before proceeding with the cleaning solution.

    Step 2: Mix vinegar and water

    To get rid of streaks and soapy residue, use the vinegar solution on your mirror in the same manner as you did on your glass shower doors. Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and add a few drops of an essential oil, if you’re concerned about the smell.

    Step 3: Spray and wipe

    Spray your vinegar mixture all over the mirror. Then, take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe away the solution in a zigzag motion, covering the entire surface. Like the shower, you can also use newspaper in place of a cloth to achieve a streak-free finish.

    How to clean windows

    If you’re on a glass-cleaning roll, you’ll likely want to give some attention to your windows too. If you’re strapped on time for a full window cleaning tutorial, look to our abridged version. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Squeegee
  • Squeegee wet cover
  • Window cleaning solution or liquid dishwashing soap
  • Bucket
  • Microfiber cloths
  • Step 1: Mix the solution

    Prepare a bucket with a cleaning solution or a mix of water and liquid dishwashing soap.

    Step 2: Squeegee

    Dip the squeegee in the solution and apply to the window in a top-to-bottom motion. Drag the squeegee across the window, working from top to bottom and curving the squeegee downward at the end of the stroke. Wipe the squeegee off with a dry cloth between each stroke.

    Step 3: Dry

    Once you wipe away most of the cleaning solution with the squeegee, run a dry microfiber cloth or newspaper over the windows to remove excess water, particularly in corners and on the windowsill.

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    Originally posted on: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/secret-streak-free-windows-mirrors