No one loves cleaning the bathroom. But even if you hate it, this is a chore that you should tackle regularly. Dirt and grime can build up on every surface of your bathroom, especially your shower. While your shower is meant to clean you, it can get pretty dirty itself. This is especially true if you do not have good ventilation in your bathroom.
It's time to stop dreading bathroom cleanup and get ready to have a fresh space. If you want a shower that looks like new, work through our guide below to learn how to deep clean a shower! It will make your bathroom look as immaculate as the day that you first moved in.
Supplies you’ll need
To clean a shower, start by gathering the right supplies. Make sure you have the following:
- Rubber gloves
- Vinegar
- Baking soda
- Sponge
- Brush
How to clean shower scum
Once you have the supplies to clean a shower, spray down the shower with hot water. The warmer temperature will help to loosen any existing soap scum and other residues.
Next, cover the shower with a fine layer of baking soda, combining it with some water to form a paste. Rub this mixture into the surfaces to free some of the scum that has collected on the shower.
Once you have covered the area, spray vinegar over the space, covering everything with the baking soda. When the combination has finished fizzing, scrub the surface again. Then, rinse it down with water.
If there are any tough stains after this scrub down, go back over them with baking soda and vinegar again and rub the area thoroughly with a stiff-bristled brush. Finally, rinse the shower a final time with hot water to clear up any residual cleaning products. If any stubborn spots remain, you may want to try focusing on that area with a toothbrush.
How to clean a showerhead
While the floor and walls may make up most of the surface area in the shower, the fixtures need a lot of attention. Minerals from the water can collect on showerheads, handles and drains, which can prove a challenge when it comes time to clean.
To clean your showerhead, RealSimple suggested filling a bag with vinegar—enough to submerge the entire fixture—and tying it to the pipe. Leave the bag in place overnight and then rinse it with water once you remove it in the morning. You can do the same for the shower handle.
If the mineral deposits are too stubborn to rid with vinegar alone, try out the more thorough method of cleaning a showerhead below, recommended by Better Homes & Gardens:
- Disconnect the showerhead. Begin by unscrewing the nut on the shower arm. To make sure you don’t ruin the showerhead’s finish, use a wrench instead of plier, and cushion the tool with a rag while you’re working with it.
- Rinse the showerhead. Rinse the showerhead using a sharp blast of water aimed through the showerhead. To do this, hold the showerhead upside down underneath the faucet. This will help you loosen debris out through the opening that connects the showerhead to the shower arm, Better Homes & Gardens says.
- Dismantle and clean the showerhead. Next, if you find there are still mineral deposits, scrub the showerhead with a toothbrush and vinegar. Or, use a toothpick or safety pin to loosen debris and poke them out. Lastly, leave the parts to soak in vinegar overnight, and rinse it again in the morning.
- Reassemble and reinstall the showerhead. Reattach the showerhead to the shower arm, again, protecting the fixtures finish from the tools you’re using with a towel or a rag.
How to clean shower fixtures
If you have bronze fixtures in your shower, Better Homes & Gardens pointed out that you should use only water when you clean these surfaces. If you have the manufacturer's instructions, be sure to check them carefully before you apply any cleaning materials that could be corrosive or in any other way harmful. When in doubt, test the cleanser you want to use on a small portion of the fixture. Doing this before you clean the entire fixture will show you if the product will be effective on the material.
Have glass doors? Do not forget to give them some attention as well. If you’re wondering how to clean a glass shower, usually, a simple glass cleaner and a sponge or cloth should do the trick. Buff the glass with a microfiber cloth or a piece of newspaper to avoid streaking.
It’s important to know how to keep a shower clean for you and your family. Keep in mind that by cleaning your shower regularly, it will be easier than if you go long periods between scrubs. So, roll up your sleeves and grab your scrub brush at least every couple of weeks to make the chore easier.
If you really want your shower to look like new, consider installing a new showerhead.
At your local Vague & Vogue showroom, you can browse options from trusted brands we carry such as American Standard, Blanco, Grohe, and Riobel. Our knowledgeable consultants will help you find the right products to fit your bathroom.
