The shower glass is continuously exposed to a lot of moisture, chemicals, and dirt. This may then cause a visible soap build-up in the form of scum and this may promote the growth of mold. The right knowledge about soap build-up, the basic tips, and the right tools will go a long way in ensuring that the shower glass s left clean. Preventive measures may also be applicable.
Why the Shower Glass Gets a Grim Look
There are two types of water, hard water, and soft water. Hard water is what results in a grim look because it contains large amounts of minerals, for example, calcium and magnesium carbonates that will leave a residue after contact with limestone. The soap build-up in form of scum will therefore result when the hard water is inevitably mixed with the soap. The results are stains and streaks that then give off the grim appearance. The soap build-up is important to remove because, after some time, the shower glass is damaged due to the porosity of the soap scum. This is seen when the minerals contained in the hard water seep into the glass bringing about corrosion in the form of etching.
Process of Removing the Soap Build up
In the market today, many commercial cleaning products have been developed to assist one in soap build-up cleaning. It is important to note that with these commercial methods, abrasive cleaners should not be used on the shower glass or the aluminum frames. However, to ensure environmental safety, there are other eco-friendly and healthy methods used for cleaning the shower glass. The natural methods give one an option to avoid the harsh products giving you the same clean effect but with zero exposure to toxic chemicals that may cause harm to the individuals in the household.
Dry sheets that have been moistened can be used to cut through a light build-up of soap. To create a DIY cleaner for the soap scum, lemon juice is a good option. Simply mix up to three tablespoons of lemon juice with a single cup of water inside a spray bottle for easy application. Leave the shower glass for five minutes after spraying carefully in all areas. This allows the breakdown of the soap build-up. The final step is to wipe the glass with a clean sponge, drying and buffing using a microfiber cloth.
Tougher build-up soap will require a stronger solution, therefore; the lemon juice is replaced with distilled white vinegar. The distilled white vinegar should be heated for about 30 seconds or until warm. It is then placed inside a spray bottle and applied onto the shower glass leaving it to soak for almost five minutes. As protective wear, use rubber gloves to scrub the glass and frame using a non-abrasive soft bristle brush. Once done, rinse the shower glass with warm water, dry, and buff using a microfiber cloth.
There are instances where the shower glass has not been cleaned in a long time requiring the use of more cleaning power. Half a cup of baking soda is mixed with white vinegar in a plastic container. A thick white paste should be formed. After the fizzing stops, apply the paste to the shower glass leaving it for 15 minutes. This should be done using a non-abrasive scrubber and most importantly gloves. After fifteen minutes, scrub then rinse with warm water. Finally, dry and buff the shower glass using a microfiber cloth.
How to Keep the Shower Glass Clean
Cleaning should be done regularly to prevent the buildup of soap. The equipment needed is a sponge, a microfiber towel, and an eco-friendly cleaner. Cleaning should be quickly done after showering.
Cleaning the shower glass is a doable and easy process if one has efficient equipment. The simplicity of the three different procedures for the type of soap build-up prevents one from skipping this cleaning task. The importance of removing the soap built up is that it prevents the permanent damage of the glass that may lead to more future expenses. Most importantly, the bathroom is left with a clean and fresh look.