The Secret To Keeping Glass Showers Streak-Free + 5 Best Cleaners
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The shower is where we go to feel fresh and clean, making it just about the last place you want to see dirt and grime. We asked cleaning experts about the no-fail strategies and go-to products that help them keep their glass showers spotless.
The best ways to clean your shower door.
As many of us know all too well, glass shower doors attract soap scum and mineral buildup over time if they are not well maintained. "About 85% of US households are affected by hard water, which results in the build-up of mineral deposits, mixed with soap scum, that can make it difficult to keep shower doors and walls clean," explains Alexandra Wojenski, a cleaning expert and "Grove Guide" at Grove Collaborative.
Beyond excessive soap scum build-up, professional cleaner Lisa Sosa of Clean Happy Co adds that the large size of glass showers can make them difficult for some people to clean. Glass is also easily scratched and scuffed, meaning harsh abrasive cleaners are out of the picture.
These experts agree that regular maintenance is the key to keeping glass showers looking good. Here's the cleaning schedule they recommend for staying on top of it:
To prevent soap scum from forming in the first place, Sosa notes that switching from bar soap to a liquid body wash can reduce the amount of buildup in your shower. Liquid washes don't contain the same thick, waxy, grime-trapping solids that bar soaps do.
Our product recommendations.
These products have the stamp of approval from cleaning experts and hundreds of reviewers putting them to good use in their bathrooms.
Not only are they all highly rated, but these non-toxic cleaners are also made with ingredients that the Environmental Working Group has deemed safe in its Healthy Cleaning database, which analyzes ingredients on their impact on human and environmental health. They also won't harm the environment when they are ultimately washed down your drain, as demonstrated by their Made Safe, and Safer Choice labels.
Looking for safe, eco-friendly products is especially important with shower cleaners, as they tend to be used in enclosed spaces. When taking those deep, nourishing breaths in the shower, you want to make sure what you're inhaling is good for you.
Here are five cleaners you can feel good about using daily, weekly, or as needed on your shower:
Best sustainable: Grove Co. Daily Shower Cleaner Concentrate + Reusable Cleaning Glass Spray Bottle
This cleaner gets its acidity from citric acid—an organic material that's naturally found in citrus fruits and gets an A rating from the Environmental Working Group. "The plant-based ingredients effectively break down buildup before it starts to form grime," Wojenski explains of the product, which is designed to be sprayed onto glass surfaces after your daily shower (no rinse required!). We love that the cleaning concentrates use natural fragrances and come in recyclable glass bottles. When combined with water, each one forms enough cleaner to fill a 16-oz spray bottle.
When to use: After you run your shower
Pros: Comes in reusable & recyclable packaging
Cons: Most effective if used daily, so it requires some upkeep
Grove Co. Daily Shower Cleaner Concentrate + Reusable Cleaning Glass Spray Bottle($16.99); grove.co
Grove Co
Best for soap scum: Mrs Meyer's Clean Day Vinegar Gel Cleaner, Lemon Verbena
For a deeper weekly clean, Wojenski recommends this vinegar-powered gel from Mrs. Meyer's, specifically formulated for cleaning hard-water stains and soap scum. Once a week (or whenever you notice mineral buildup on your glass), simply apply the gel to problem areas, let sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and remove to reveal a clean and scum-free surface. Reviewers note that the cleaner is also effective for shining up stainless steel. Some people's skin is sensitive to some of its preservatives (Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone) so mindful of that.
When to use: About once a week, depending on how hard your water is
Pros: Comes in easy-to-apply gel
Cons: Made with some potentially bothersome preservatives
Mrs Meyer's Clean Day Vinegar Gel Cleaner, Lemon Verbena ($19.91); amazon.com, grove.co
Mrs. Meyer's
Best for hard water: 9 Elements Bath Spray
All of 9 Elements' products harness the power of vinegar to clean tough grime and hard water stains—but its bathroom spray is where the ingredient can really shine. The simple formula (made with nine ingredients or less, as the name suggests) pairs vinegar with sodium citrate for a safe but effective cleaner that can be used on glass as well as other bathroom surfaces like ceramic, tile, and porcelain.
When to use: About once a week, depending on how hard your water is
Pros: EPA Safer Choice certified
Cons: Some reviewers note that it can streak, so be sure to wipe it down completely after use
9 Elements Bath Spray ($4.99); target.com, amazon.com
9 Elements
Best for stubborn stains: Branch Basics Oxygen Boost
This powdered product can tackle caked-on stains on or around your glass shower door, sans harsh cleaners like ammonia or bleach. It combines sodium percarbonate and sodium bicarbonate (both have A ratings by the EWG) for an all-purpose spot treatment that can work in the bathroom as well as in the laundry, on carpets, and more. In the shower, simply sprinkle it on top of the buildup, let sit for five minutes, then wipe off with a scrub brush to reveal an impossibly clean surface below. Trust 1,000+ five-star reviews; this stuff really works! Test out on a small patch of glass first to make sure it isn't too abrasive for your shower.
When to use: When you have stubborn stains
Pros: Powerful bleach alternative
Cons: Might scratch glass; test on a small area first
Branch Basics Oxygen Boost ($22); branchbasics.com
Branch Basics
Best for large showers: ECOS Bathroom Cleaner
This EWG Safer Choice certified spray is designed to extend the time between deep cleanings. It gets rave reviews from users who spray it after every shower and then forget it; it uses plant-derived water softeners to prevent soap scum from forming. Since you don't need to wipe the spray off, it's a great option for larger showers and hard-to-reach areas. Bonus: it's scented with refreshing tea tree so it will leave your bathroom smelling lovely as it does its thing.
When to use: After you run your shower
Pros: EWG Safer Choice certified
Cons: Most effective if used daily, so it requires some upkeep
ECOS Bathroom Cleaner ($4.38); amazon.com, iherb.com
ECOS
If you'd rather have total control over what goes into your cleaners, these DIY recipes harness common kitchen materials to tackle buildup.
To keep buildup from happening in the first place, Melissa Maker of Clean My Space recommends this two-ingredient spray you can use to wipe down your shower after each use. The acidic vinegar will dissolve grime while the tea tree oil will add an extra punch with its antibacterial properties. Just be sure to wash your hands after using it, as essential oils can upset the skin.
This vinegar-free DIY spray from Candice Batista, the founder of The Eco Hub, can leave glass clean and shiny without a scent.
When keeping your glass shower spick and span, you'll want to look for a non-toxic cleaner that is acidic and non-abrasive, like these five options, or the two DIY concoctions. Wipe your glass dry every time you use the shower and give it a deeper clean at least once a week. Once you're ready to move onto the other surfaces in your bathroom, like ceramic or marble, we've got you covered with tips for those too.
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/glass-cleaner-for-shower