How To Keep Glass Shower Doors CleanCleaning Glass Shower Doors Hard WaterGlass Shower Cleaner Hard Water StainsCleaning Glass Shower Doors Soap ScumShower Cleaner DailyHow To Clean A Glass Shower DoorWater Spots On Shower DoorClean Tile Shower Soap ScumKeeping Shower CleanForwardDo you want your shower look like new for a long time? Here are a few tips on how to clean your shower and prevent soap scum build up in the future!(Note from NH: Though the methods below are useful, there are situations where chemical changes to the materials have occurred and NOTHING will restore the material to its originalFor example, streaky or milky-colored stains on shower doors are often permanent because the glass has actually been etched by the reaction of water-borne chemicals. These can be prevented through the installation of water softening equipment or (for the thrifty) simply wiping the doors dry after use. Also, plated plumbing fixtures that have become discolored can be cleaned,
but often (especially on cheap brass plating or chrome) the coating has been destroyed and no amount of cleaning can restore it. In my personal experience with mineral accumulations around faucets and on shower doors, I can unequivocally say that the NUMBER ONE way to prevent mineral deposits is to wipe off standing water or especially around the bases of faucets and on your glass shower doors (with a towel of squeegee). Then you'll have a much easier time keeping mineral deposits under control!! If you have hard water but don't have a water treatment system, you probably have more than your share of scum, film, and lime deposits on a number of household surfaces. These unattractive deposits can appear on china, porcelain, enamel, tile, stainless steel, fiberglass, chrome, and glass surfaces. Hard water increases films and stains from soaps, minerals, and other substances. Bathroom fixtures, sinks, dishes, and other surfaces need more frequent cleaning.
Calcium and magnesium in water leave hard deposits -- called lime scales -- on fixturesThese minerals make cleaning products less effective. To clean away lime scale, you need a cleaning product with "sequestrants." deactivate minerals in water. (Calgon is one example of a product with sequestrants.) deactivated minerals then cannot react with other materials to form scum, film, or lime You may also have problems from manganese, iron, brass, or copper. brownish or blackish stains. Bacteria that thrive in water with a high iron content leave a reddish or white slime. Brass and copper content in water are the result of acidicWhen water is a bit acidic, it corrodes plumbing and fixtures. If you have brass or copper fittings, you may end up with blue or green stains on fixtures. To remove any of these metallic stains, use an acidic cleaner or an all-purpose cleaner. The general types of cleaners discussed below will help you to remove stains on
It's best to clean stains away regularly. If they are allowed to penetrate the surface, they become more difficult to remove. Be sure to follow label instructions for safe use of cleaners. You may need to open a window or use a fan to get Remember, some cleaners, such as ammonia and bleach, should never be mixed or used together because they can form toxic fumes. Store cleaners in a safe place and properly dispose of empty containers. Acids help remove hard water deposits. Some acid cleaners help remove discoloration from aluminum, brass, bronze, and copper. Other acids remove iron rust stains. typically found in toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers, metal cleaners, and kitchen and bath cleaners that remove mineral products. Rust stains present a special problem on plumbing fixtures. If you purchase oxalic acid at full strength, dilute it with 10 partsFollow all precautions when using oxalic acid, as this is a highly toxic product. commercial product like ZUD may be effective on rust stains because it contains oxalic
When surfaces have become rough or pitted from repeated scrubbings with an abrasive cleaner, ZUD or a similar product may be mixed with water to form a paste and left standing on the stain for several minutes, then rinsed off. For fixtures that are not acid resistant, clean with trisodium phosphate to remove theCream of tartar, a mild acid, may be mixed with water to form a paste rust Abrasive cleaners like scouring powder may remove or lighten stains. harsh abrasives scratches the finish of sinks, bathtubs, or other fixtures. surface is dull and rough, it will get dirty faster and stain more deeply. fine abrasive cleaners may eventually scratch or dull surfaces. Do not use abrasive cleaners on fiberglass, ceramic tile or glass. Chlorine bleach can help remove some stains. Don't leave it standing for long periods of time, as it will dull shiny porcelain enamel surfaces. Some specialty cleaners are formulated to remove hard water deposits, soap scum, or
Lime-A-Way is one example. Tub, tile, and sink cleaners that remove soup scum and water hardness may contain sequestering agents and acids such as phosphoric, hydrochloric, or hydroxyacetic acids. Nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaners (like "409") in powdered, liquid, or spray form are safe for most plumbing fixtures and can be used for regular cleaning and for removal of hard water deposits and soap scum if the deposits are not heavy accumulations. Red, reddish brown (from rust or iron) Green, blue-green stains (from copper or acid water) Brown, black or others (from manganese and other minerals) The use of brand names in this document does not imply endorsement of the products named or criticism of similar ones not mentioned. Prepared by Dr. Sandra A. Zaslow, Extension District Director, North Carolina Cooperative Extension State University, Raleigh, N.C. This publication has been issued in print by the North Carolina Cooperative