How to Clean Your Shower Screen, So It Sparkles Like New

A beautiful shower screen deserves to be sparkling for all the world to see. However, what is often not clear is the best way to get your screen back into its original glistening state. A quick search online will bring up various answers about the best way to clean your screen. In forums, some folks will swear by the effectiveness of one method while others may have found no success with the same approach. Why is this? Well, the answer comes down to what type of corrosion you are dealing with on your shower screen.

You see different types of corrosion are dealt with in different ways. Here we’ve compiled the definitive solution so that you can get the best method without trying a bunch of techniques that don’t produce the sparkle you desire.

Not all corrosion is created equal

When it comes to corrosion on your shower screen, ‘hard water’ is the main culprit causing the unsightly staining. ‘Hard water’ is simply water that is denser in minerals than ‘soft water’, typically calcium and magnesium. The build-up of these minerals on the surface of the glass is what starts to stop your shower screen from being wonderfully translucent.

The ‘hardness’ of your water varies from geographical area to area – so if you live in an area of Adelaide with softer water, the chances are you’ll have to clean your shower screen less than someone living in an area with harder water.

We call the build-up of minerals on the glass grade 1 corrosion.

Grade 1 corrosion creates a cloudy appearance on your shower screen but can typically be removed with basic tools and a little elbow grease. If you’ve been putting off cleaning your shower screen for a more extended period, the corrosion may have progressed to grade 2 corrosion. Grade 2 corrosion means that the minerals in the water have adhered to the glass and have started to etch away at the surface. Grade 2 corrosion is much more difficult to remove, and in extreme cases, the only solution may be to replace the glass screen completely.

Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic test to know which level of corrosion your shower screen has, so the best approach is to start with the mildest techniques and then progress to the more aggressive approaches if you are not getting the results you desire.

Rather than wasting your time trying to treat your whole shower screen only to find out that your method is not working, we recommend just starting with a small section and comparing the difference to the rest of the shower screen. So, without further ado, let’s get into the techniques!

Squeegee

The rubber squeegee is indispensable in keeping your screen in tip-top shape. Just wet your glass to prevent scratching, apply even pressure and scrape in one direction. Check to see if it’s working and proceed to clear the whole screen if you’re happy with the results.

The rubber squeegee is indispensable in keeping your screen in tip-top shape. Just wet your glass to prevent scratching, apply even pressure and scrape in one direction. Check to see if it’s working and proceed to clear the whole screen if you’re happy with the results.

Vinegar

For low levels of mineral accumulation, vinegar may be just the trick. Vinegar is a weak acid which helps to dissolve the build-up on your glass so that they can be simply rinsed away from the surface of the glass. You can try combining it with the scraper blade to pack a little more punch.

Mild Abrasive Products

Traditional bathroom cleaning products such as Cif or Enjo can work wonders on mild to moderate levels of corrosion on your shower screen. Don’t worry about it scratching the glass as shower screens are made from toughened safety glass.

Steel Wool

If your glass has not started to become more transparent at this stage then it’s time to step it up, get your hands on a #0000 steel wool. It’s a very fine steel wool that is designed for use on glass without scratching. Combine this with some mild abrasive product, a little water and a spot of elbow grease, and you’ll hopefully be on your way to a sparkling transparent finish.

Oven Cleaner

If you’re still having no luck with the steps outlined so far, break out the oven cleaner. Since we’re now dealing with stronger chemicals, make sure you follow the instructions on the packet as well as common sense safety precautions. Avoid contact with the fixings, and the frame as oven cleaner may discolour or damage the appearance of these.

Sandpaper

We’re now almost certainly dealing with grade 2 corrosion. Sandpaper will help to polish up any scratches or etching that may have occurred. Using superfine sandpaper (5000 grit), very carefully treat a small area of your shower screen. Proceed with caution so as not to damage the surface of your shower screen further.

Cleaning a shower screen can be easy to put off, however as we know the longer we put it off, the more effort it will require to clean it eventually. It’s worth saying that prevention is the best medicine; by using a squeegee every time after you shower, you’ll avoid the bulk of the mineral build up and keep your shower screen in pristine condition.

Hopefully, by now, the methods that we have covered have rejuvenated your shower screen, and it’s gleaming like the day you had it installed. If none of the above techniques has yielded you positive results, unfortunately, your shower screen may be headed to the glass graveyard. Unless you can convince yourself and to live with a cloudy shower screen, you’ll likely need to get a new one.

Thankfully, Jim’s glass is staffed with the experts in creating and installing a stunning shower screen in Adelaide. We have an extensive range of beautiful solutions and would be delighted to help you upgrade your shower if that’s what you need.