If you’re wondering how to clean your bath or shower, and how often you should be doing it, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a quick list of shower maintenance tips that will help you keep your bathing space fresh, functional, and accessible.
Shower Cleaning Tips: Daily Upkeep
A big part of keeping your bathroom’s wet area fresh and clean is daily upkeep. After every use, squeegee the residual water off the walls, floor, and door. After that, wipe these areas with a dry towel to remove leftover condensation. If you have a shower, leave the curtain drawn or the door open to allow the humidity to disperse throughout the bathroom. It can also be helpful to run the vent fan or leave a bathroom window open for about twenty minutes after bathing or showering to reduce humidity.
Other Daily Cleaning Tips:
Empty and clean the drain catch regularly to prevent clogs and unpleasant odors.
Use a daily shower cleaner spray to prevent soap scum and mineral deposits from building up.
Keep a scrub brush or sponge in the shower or bath and give the surfaces a quick scrub if you notice any dirt or grime.
More Tips: Weekly Cleaning
In addition to daily shower maintenance, regular cleaning of your bathing space will ensure it stays fresh. Once a week, spray your bath or shower surface using a mild store-bought cleaning spray or a solution of distilled white vinegar diluted with water. Use a sponge or a soft cloth to wipe the walls and floor dry, repeating as necessary. Many modern baths and showers are made from nonporous acrylic and are infused with an antimicrobial agent that resists mold and mildew growth. While these newer units are very easy to clean, older baths and showers, especially those made with porcelain or ceramic tile, may require more effort to clean, as scrubbing the grout lines can often be challenging.
Other Weekly Cleaning Tips:
Clean the shower head and faucets regularly by soaking them in a mixture of vinegar and water to remove mineral deposits.
Regularly clean and rinse bath toys, shower caddies, and any other items in the bath or shower area to prevent bacteria growth.
Wash shower curtains, liners, or bath mats according to the manufacturer's instructions or as needed.
Pay attention to grout lines if you have ceramic or porcelain tile, and clean them using a grout cleaner and a small brush or toothbrush.
Bonus Tip: Washing Shower Liners
Shower liners can easily become discolored, and cleaning them isn't as simple as it seems. Scrubbing them by hand can sometimes be effective. However, many shower liners can easily be cleaned by tossing them in the washing machine with laundry detergent, a small amount of bleach, and a towel. While this shower cleaning option may be too harsh for certain liners, in most cases, it's a quick and easy solution. Additionally, if you're considering a shower remodel in the future, it may be best to consider adding a new shower door to permanently alleviate the problem.
Annual Maintenance
Here's an important shower cleaning tip for ceramic or porcelain tile showers. It's advisable to seal the grout once or twice a year depending on how frequently you use the wet area. This process is relatively easy, and you can find grout sealer at just about any hardware store or home store. Moreover, using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be helpful for removing soap scum and limescale deposits from faucets, shower heads, and drains.
Other Annual Maintenance Tips:
Inspect the caulk lines around the bath or shower and repair or replace any damaged or moldy caulk.
Check the ventilation fan in the bathroom. Remove any accumulated dust and ensure that it is functioning properly. Clean or replace the fan filter if necessary.
Take the opportunity to declutter and organize any bath or shower accessories such as shampoo bottles, loofahs, and bath toys. Dispose of expired products and clean and sanitize the items that are still in use.
One-Day Bathroom Remodels from West Shore Home
If you’re tired of scrubbing grout lines only to have them not come out clean, it’s time to contact West Shore Home and have a beautiful new acrylic bathtub or shower installed at your home. We specialize in one-day bathroom remodels, designed specifically for the modern-day homeowner-on-the-go. We’ll come to you when it’s convenient, evaluate your bathroom, and review your options with you. Just choose the unit that you want—shower, bathtub, or tub-shower combo—select the color and tile pattern, and customize it with seating, caddies, and grab bars, and more. West Shore Home – ready, set, done.
Contact West Shore Home to learn more about having a new bathtub or shower installed in just one day.
Shower Cleaning & Maintenance FAQ
FAQ 1: How often should I clean my shower?
Answer: You should perform basic cleaning after each use by squeegeeing walls and wiping surfaces dry. A more thorough cleaning should be done weekly with a mild cleaner or vinegar solution. For tile showers, annual maintenance includes sealing grout once or twice per year depending on usage.
FAQ 2: What's the best cleaner to use on my shower?
Answer: For daily maintenance, a simple shower spray cleaner works well to prevent buildup. For weekly cleaning, either a mild store-bought cleaner or a solution of distilled white vinegar diluted with water is effective for most shower surfaces.
FAQ 3: How do I remove stubborn mineral deposits from my shower head?
Answer: To remove mineral deposits from your shower head, create a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Either remove the shower head and soak it in the solution or secure a plastic bag filled with the solution around the shower head. Let it soak for several hours or overnight, then scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly.
FAQ 4: Is there a way to reduce how often I need to clean my shower?
Answer: Yes! Daily maintenance significantly reduces deep cleaning needs. After showering, squeegee the walls and wipe surfaces dry, use a daily shower spray, and run the vent fan for about 20 minutes to reduce humidity. If you're finding maintenance too time-consuming, consider upgrading to a modern acrylic shower with antimicrobial protection.
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