Maintaining a clean glass shower screen is easier said than done. Between unsightly water marks and leftover droplets of shampoo and shower gel, it doesn’t take long for shower screens to end up with stubborn soap scum stains and cloudy glass.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to make cloudy shower glass sparkle again using a cheap trick that tackles limescale, watermarks and soap scum without you needing to reach for harsh bathroom chemicals. The budget method uses one store cupboard item to break down the chalky deposits left behind when hard water dries on glass.
To try it, fill a clean spray bottle with equal parts distilled white vinegar and warm water, then add a tiny amount of washing-up liquid to help loosen soap scum. Spray the shower screen from top to bottom and leave it wet for 10 to 20 minutes.
Then wipe the glass with a soft, non-scratch sponge or microfibre cloth, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry it straight away with a squeegee or fresh cloth. For heavier marks, vinegar-soaked kitchen roll can be pressed onto the glass to keep the solution in place for longer.
The key is to let the vinegar do the work rather than scrubbing hard, as heavy pressure or abrasive pads can mark some glass and bathroom finishes.
You can buy distilled white vinegar from most supermarkets, including Tesco, where a 568ml bottle will cost you 35p.
Other ways to clean shower glass are available too. A bicarbonate of soda and water paste can help with stubborn patches when used gently, while ready-made limescale sprays are another option if you follow the label and rinse well.
Some cleaning guides also mention toothpaste for small water marks, though it should be used carefully and with a soft cloth.
Distilled white vinegar can help remove unsightly soap scum (Image: Getty)
The Pink Stuff paste is another popular cleaning cupboard favourite and is sold for use on glass and showers, but its own product guidance warns not to apply too much pressure on some surfaces because scratching can occur.
That makes a gentle patch test important before using any paste cleaner on a shower screen.
Bathroom specialists say the biggest mistake is treating shower glass like a tough kitchen surface.
Faz Salloo, director at Bathroom Fort said: “Shower glass looks solid, but the coatings, seals and metal finishes around it can be more delicate than people realise.
“Vinegar can be very effective on limescale, but keep it on the glass, rinse it properly and avoid leaving acidic cleaners sitting on chrome-style fittings, natural stone or seals for longer than needed.
“A soft sponge, a squeegee and regular drying will protect the finish far better than attacking the screen with foil, wire wool or gritty pads.
“If your enclosure is new or has an easy-clean coating, always check the manufacturer guidance first so you do not accidentally shorten the life of the coating.”
Keeping the sparkle is easier than getting rid of months of build-up. After showering, squeegee the glass, open a window or run the extractor fan, and dry the seals where water tends to sit.
Regular cleaning also stops cloudy patches from hardening into stubborn scale. A quick wipe every few days can save the bigger weekend scrub and helps keep a glass shower enclosure looking brighter for longer.
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