How to Clean a Glass Shower Door With Vinegar

If you don't clean your glass shower door regularly, you'll notice a filmy substance can quickly build up. This could be anything from soap scum, dirt, grime, mineral deposits, or dead skin. Most likely, it's a combination of at least a few of those things. It sounds gross, but don't worry. It's easy to rid your glass shower door of that gunky stuff once and for all. Read on to find out how to clean a glass shower door in three simple steps with a gentle cleaning product you already have at home.

How Often to Clean Your Shower Door

For a sparkling clean shower, we recommend wiping away soap scum and water spots once a week. But we know you're busy and might find yourself straying from a regimented schedule. Life will be easier if you clean the shower door regularly (see our tips below on keeping your shower clean longer), but at a minimum, you'll want to do a thorough cleaning of your shower door monthly to wash away mold, bacteria, and hard-water mineral deposits.

Pro tip: To minimize time and effort, add this to your routine the same day you clean your bathroom mirrors since you'll be using the same materials, and be sure to clean other areas of your shower that may have water or soap scum buildup, like your shower head.

What You Need

• Distilled white vinegar
• Water (preferably distilled)
• Microfiber cloth
• Empty spray bottle
• A squeegee
• No-rinse shower cleaner like Clean Shower Daily Shower Cleaner
• Glass and mirror cleaner like The Laundress Glass and Mirror Cleaner

How to Clean the Inside of a Glass Shower

Get rid of grime on the interior of your glass shower door by following these simple steps:

1. Mix one part vinegar with two parts distilled water in an empty spray bottle and shake well. (If you prefer a store-bought cleaner, be sure to check out these suggestions.)
2. Spray the surface of the shower door with the solution and let it work its magic for 10 minutes.
3. Use a microfiber sponge to wipe away the grime. If you see streaks once the door has dried, use your microfiber cloth to buff them out in a circular motion.

How to Clean the Outside of a Glass Shower

Chances are, the outside of your shower door doesn't get covered with soap scum or hard deposits the way the interior does, but this doesn't mean it doesn't need to be cleaned. It definitely does! The best way to clean the exterior glass on your shower is to use a bit of glass and mirror cleaner.

1. Spray the exterior surface of the glass shower and door with glass cleaner.
2. Using a microfiber sponge, rub the cleaner across your glass in a circular motion, just like you would if you were washing a window.
3. If you see streaks once the door has dried, use your microfiber cloth to buff them out in a circular motion.

Tips to Keep Your Glass Shower Clean Longer

Now that you've rid your glass shower door of gunk and grime, it's easy to keep it squeaky clean. Simply take a squeegee and pull it down over the surface shower door from the top to bottom, working your way across every time you take a shower. This will force the water to the bottom so water deposits don't form. Afterward, spray the surface with a no-rinse shower cleaner to attack any lingering soap scum.

Finally, some homeowners spray the inside of the shower door with a water-repellant made for glass showers to prevent water from collecting on the surface and leaving a residue. This is something you'll need to do after your shower door is already clean and dry. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on applying the repellant, and then watch the water magically run off for weeks to come.