The shower area may be where you go to get clean, but it can also ironically be one of the dirtiest places in your house. It can be a place where mold, mildew and grime thrive — making every trip to the bathroom an opportunity for you to catch an allergy or an infection. Aside from keeping your body clean with every bath, it’s also important to give the same courtesy to your shower area to prevent dirt and bacteria from residing in your bathroom.
In this article, we’re gonna show you how to clean a shower -- from different cleaning types and what you can do to keep your shower fresh and extra tidy.
How to Clean Ceramic Tile Showers
Ceramic tile showers are often the most prone to having grout formations, especially if it is left unsealed. Most of the time, grout can give way to mildew spores because of its porous nature. Here are the cleaning materials you need to prevent that from happening:
Materials
- Commercial shower and grout cleaner
- Homemade cleaning solution (1/2 cup distilled white vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia, and 3 quarts of hot water)
- Chlorine bleach
- Sponge or plastic mesh scrubber
- Rubber hand gloves
- Soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush
- Squeegee
Instructions
- Before diving deep into the cleaning, it’s important to remove all of the shampoo bottles, soap, razors and even bath toys in the shower area. Wipe these items with a clean cloth to remove any excess moisture.
- Open the bathroom door and windows to regulate airflow in the room. You can also turn on the exhaust fan to help with the ventilation. Afterwards, turn on the shower or use a bucket to splash water onto the walls.
- Get rid of mildew on the grout by using a powerful cleaning solution. Wear rubber hand gloves and mix one part of chlorine bleach and two parts water into one container. After preparing the mixture, apply the solution to the mildewed grout by using a clean sponge. Let the solution sit on the surface for at least 10 minutes and begin scrubbing it with a brush or an old toothbrush afterwards. Rinse the surface with hot water.
- Using the commercial cleaner or your own homemade creation, spray the solution on the walls and the floors of the shower area and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. This will give the solution enough time to break the soap scum and other dirt particles apart for easy scrubbing.
- Scrub the walls and floor using a sponge or a plastic mesh scrubber to further break the stain and dirt away from the surfaces. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes and scrubbers as they may do more harm than good by scratching the tile surface.
- Rinse the solution with water thoroughly. Work your way from the top all the way to the bottom. Once dry, use a squeegee or a clean cloth to remove any remaining water from the surface.
How to Clean Fiberglass Showers
Fiberglass showers are very easy to clean with the right set of cleaning tools. Avoid using hard-bristled brushes or scrubbers as it can damage the surface with scratches, leaving an ugly sight that can be impossible to fix or remedy.
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Sponge or soft-bristled brush
- Squeegee
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Remove and store aside all of the bottles and accessories in the shower area. Spray the shower walls and floor with distilled vinegar to begin breaking away the dirt and stains. Vinegar is effective in removing water spots and soap scum.
- Pour baking soda on the floor and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Scrub the surface using a sponge or a soft-bristled brush to fully remove the dirt. It is important to scrub the surface thoroughly as fiberglass floors are normally textured, making it difficult for soap scum, dirt and grime to get removed easily.
- Rinse the floor and walls with clean water and wipe the surfaces using a squeegee.
How to Clean Stone Showers
If you have marble, granite or any natural stone-textured shower area, you will have to do your cleaning by using these following materials and steps:
Materials
- Non-acid, ammonia-free stone cleaner
- Mild dishwashing soap
- Warm, clean water
- Chlorine bleach
- Stone sealer
- Microfiber cloth
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Before cleaning the shower area, remove all bottles, accessories and other loose items and store them away to avoid getting wet.
- Spray down the shower area’s walls with the commercial stone cleaner. If you prefer to go the natural route, you can create a solution by mixing one tablespoon of dishwashing soap and warm water. Wipe down the solution on the walls using a microfiber cloth. Rinse the solution with clean water and dry the surface with another fresh set of microfiber cloths.
- If you spot mildew formations on the stone surface or grout, you need to remove it by using another powerful cleaning solution. You can do this by mixing one part chlorine bleach with water. Wear rubber hand gloves and dip a clean sponge into the solution and apply it thoroughly to the affected area. To further break down these formations, you can use a soft-bristled brush for scrubbing. Rinse everything with clean water afterwards.
- After doing all the cleaning, you will need to do some sealing to prevent bacteria from penetrating again into the stone surface of the shower. Using a stone sealer, apply the solution to the floors and walls in small sections with a paint brush. Dab the surface with a soft cloth to remove any excess solution from the walls and floor. The best way to get results is by doing this process at least twice a year.
Keeping Your Shower Clean and Free From Germs
Keeping your shower area clean at all times is very important in making sure that you stay healthy and free from sickness-causing bacteria. By sticking to a proper way to clean your shower, you will also prevent water spots, soap scum and other hard-to-remove stains from settling into the surfaces again.
Read also: Complete Bathroom Cleaning Checklist
If you’re looking for a professional home cleaning service to clean your shower curtain, shower head or just your entire shower area in general, drop us a call here at Homefresh! Our team of friendly cleaning experts will tidy up every corner of your space, leaving no stain untouched and no dirt unchecked. Book us now and experience quality home and bathroom cleaning and service in an instant.
