Taking a refreshing shower is one of life’s simple pleasures. But over time, soap scum, mildew, and mineral deposits can make your shower feel downright nasty. Don’t despair! With just a little elbow grease and the right cleaning products, I can restore any shower to a spotless shine in no time. Here are my top 5 tips for creating a sparkling clean shower.
1. Do a Deep Cleaning Once a Week
To prevent heavy soap scum and mildew buildup, I like to do a deep cleaning of my shower once a week. Here is my process:
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First, I mix together baking soda and white vinegar into a thick paste. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that lifts away soap scum, while vinegar dissolves residue.
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Next, I apply the paste to the shower walls using a soft sponge or brush. I let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing to allow the mixture to penetrate the grime.
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For the shower floor, I sprinkle baking soda directly on the surface and spray vinegar over the top. The fizzing reaction helps break up scum and mildew. I let it sit briefly before scrubbing with a stiff broom.
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Lastly, I rinse everything thoroughly with hot water to remove all paste residue.
Doing a weekly deep clean takes a little time but prevents major buildup over time.
2. Use Preventative Cleaners
In between my deep cleans, I use daily shower spray cleaners containing ingredients like tea tree oil and eucalyptus to help prevent mildew and soap scum buildup.
I simply spritz the cleaner all around the shower after use and let the shower air dry. The natural antibacterial properties of the ingredients inhibit mildew growth while the cleaner helps lift away any fresh soap film.
Using a daily preventative cleaner keeps my shower fresh in between deep cleans.
3. Scrub the Showerhead
Don’t forget to clean the showerhead! Mineral deposits from hard water can clog a showerhead’s holes over time, reducing the water pressure.
To remove mineral buildup:
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I unscrew the showerhead and place it in a bowl or pot filled with equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
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I let the showerhead soak for 30 minutes to fully dissolve the mineral deposits.
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If needed, I use an old toothbrush to gently scrub stubborn areas of the showerhead.
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Finally, I rinse well, reattach, and enjoy the strong spray!
Cleaning the showerhead periodically helps optimize my shower’s performance.
4. Freshen the Shower Curtain
It’s easy to forget about the shower curtain, but it can develop mildew and soap scum over time.
To clean it, I first take down the curtain and give it a vigorous shake outside to remove any loose dust and debris.
Then I apply a natural cleaning solution of baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils directly to the shower curtain liner. I let it soak briefly before scrubbing stains with a soft brush.
Lastly, I rinse the curtain thoroughly and hang it back up to dry. My shower always feels so fresh when I have a clean curtain!
5. Seal Grout and Tile
Discolored or mildewy grout and porous shower tiles provide the perfect environment for grime to take hold.
Grout sealers form an invisible barrier that prevents stains from adhering to grout lines. I apply a grout sealer all around the shower once every 6 months.
For natural stone tiles, I use a soap scum-resistant tile sealer to help prevent buildup. I apply it 1-2 times per year.
By sealing the grout and tile, I’ve noticed the surfaces stay much cleaner between scrubbings.
With these simple yet effective steps, I’m able to keep my shower spotless and always ready for the next refreshing rinse. A little weekly maintenance goes a long way to prevent heavy buildup over time. What are your best tips for cleaning the shower? I’d love to hear any tricks I’m missing!
