A shiny, clear glass shower can be inviting and refreshing after a long day in the Tucson sun. It can also add a touch of class to your bathroom, and can make a steaming statement. Unfortunately, the harsh minerals found in Tucson’s water can build up on the door’s of your crisp, clear oasis, if it’s not properly maintained. Whether you are showing your house to sell, or looking for more ways to keep up with daily cleaning, here are a few methods for keeping your source of cleanliness clean.
Homemade remedies
Sometimes store bought products don’t cut through the grim quite like you need them to. An often cheaper and more environmentally-friendly option is to use products you may already have in your kitchen. One blogger strongly suggests using 1 cup of Dawn soap and 1 cup of warm vinegar in a spray bottle. Another classic combination is 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 tbsp. white vinegar in a spray bottle. Be sure to use a soft rag or towel to rub the glass, harsh materials like hard-wired sponges can scratch up your tempered glass.
Cleaning scum and mildew
When grime starts building up on your shower walls, you want to distinguish if it’s harmless soap scum, or mildew and mold which can cause potential harm. You can usually tell by the color, if it’s white it’s typically soap scum while black and grey areas are mildew and mold. Soap scum is caused from the residue of fat in soap, so using liquid rather than bar soaps can help in preventing this. You can use the vinegar combination or an all-purpose cleaner for scum. For mildew and mold, make sure you are properly ventilating the bathroom area to prevent the excess moisture that causes mildew and mold. You will need to use gloves and spray on bleach to cut through this mess and kill the fungi. If the mold or mildew has spread to the caulk and won’t come off with bleach, consider getting the caulk replaced. Mold can be toxic if left unchecked, and so it’s very important to get it taken care of as soon as possible.
Preventing water spots
The easiest way to prevent buildup is to buy a daily spray cleaner for your doors. You can also seal away spots with a wax coat after cleaning. Cleaning the spots can be done with the vinegar combination or all-purpose cleaner. For more advice on cleaning, repairing, replacing, or purchasing new shower glass, contact Andy’s American Glass in Tucson.