How to clean a shower: tile, fiberglass, stone and glass
To clean a shower, run the water hot for three to five minutes, spray a cleaner that suits the surface from the top down, and let it sit five to ten minutes. Scrub the walls with a non-scratch pad and the grout with a stiff nylon brush, rinse, then squeegee and wipe everything dry.
The steps stay the same for every shower. What changes is the cleaner and the scrubber, because tile, fiberglass and natural stone each react differently to acid and abrasion.
Before you start
- Turn on the fan or open a window, especially if you use anything stronger than soap.
- Clear the ledges and caddy. Bottles hide rings of soap scum.
- Read the label on any cleaner and make sure it's safe on your surface.
- Test anything new in a corner first.
- Start mild. Move to something stronger only if the first round doesn't work.
- Never mix products. Bleach with vinegar or ammonia gives off dangerous fumes.
How do you clean a tiled shower?
Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile is tough. It can take a firm scrub, and the grout is the part that needs attention.
You need: a bathroom or tile cleaner (or warm water with a little dish soap), a non-scratch scrub pad, a stiff nylon grout brush, a squeegee and a microfiber towel.
- Run the shower hot for a few minutes with the door closed to soften soap scum.
- Spray the walls from the top down, then the ledges and floor.
- Wait five to ten minutes. Scrubbing right away just smears the film around.
- Scrub grout lines with the brush, then the tile faces with the pad.
- Rinse with hot water from top to bottom.
- Squeegee and towel dry, then leave the fan running.
For hard water spots on glazed tile, a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, left a few minutes and rinsed, does the job. For stained grout, see how to clean tile grout.
How do you clean a fiberglass or acrylic shower?
These one-piece surrounds scratch easily, and scratches hold dirt. No abrasive powders, no scouring pads, no chlorine bleach on a regular basis.
You need: white vinegar, a spray bottle, dish soap, baking soda, a soft non-abrasive sponge and a microfiber towel.
- Run the shower hot for two to five minutes.
- Spray the warm walls with equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Let it sit 10 to 30 minutes, longer for heavy buildup.
- Rinse and wipe with the soft sponge. Add a drop of dish soap for greasy spots.
- For stuck-on grime, make a paste of baking soda and dish soap and rub gently.
- Rinse well with warm water, then dry with the towel.
How do you clean a natural stone shower?
Marble, travertine, limestone and onyx are soft and react to acid. Vinegar, lemon and many bathroom sprays etch them, and the dull patches don't wipe off.
You need: a pH-neutral stone cleaner, a soft sponge, a soft toothbrush for corners and a microfiber towel.
- Rinse the walls with warm water.
- Spray the stone cleaner and let it sit for the time on the label.
- Wipe in small circles with the sponge. Use the toothbrush in corners and along grout.
- Rinse with clean water and dry right away. Water left on stone leaves spots.
Stone also needs resealing on a schedule. Ask whoever installed it, or check the stone supplier's care guide.
Don't forget these parts
- Glass doors. Soap scum and hard water haze build up fast. See how to remove limescale from bathroom glass.
- The door track. Hair and gunk collect in the bottom channel. An old toothbrush and a damp cloth get it out.
- The shower head. If the spray is uneven, it's probably scale. See how to clean a shower head.
- The floor and drain. Pull hair out of the drain cover before you rinse the walls, so it doesn't wash down.
- The curtain and liner. Fabric curtains and many plastic liners go in the washer on a gentle cycle. Check the care tag.
How long does it take?
A shower that gets a weekly clean takes about 15 to 20 minutes. One that's been skipped for a month or more can take 40 minutes or longer, because the cleaner needs longer to work and the grout needs more scrubbing.
How do you keep it clean longer?
Squeegee the walls and glass after every shower. Leave the door or curtain open so it dries. Run the fan during showers and for 20 minutes after. Those three habits slow soap scum and mildew between cleanings.
What a house cleaning covers
Standard House Cleaning, RoutineCare, cleans the tub, shower and tiled walls, the shower door glass and tracks, and the fixtures and drains.
On Deep Cleaning, PureRenewal, the tub, shower and tiled walls are scrubbed with the soap scum and grout treated, the shower door glass is descaled, and the fixtures and drains are descaled and polished. Every item on the list is cleaned whether or not it looks like it needs it.
Mold and mildew remediation beyond surface cleaning isn't on any of our cleaning checklists.
FAQ
What is the right way to clean a shower? Run the water hot for a few minutes, spray a cleaner that suits the surface from the top down, and let it sit five to ten minutes. Scrub with a non-scratch pad and a grout brush, rinse, then squeegee and dry.
Can I use vinegar on a fiberglass shower? Yes. Equal parts white vinegar and warm water is safe on fiberglass and acrylic and loosens soap scum and water spots. Rinse it off afterward and skip abrasive powders and scouring pads, which scratch the finish.
What should you never use on a stone shower? Vinegar, lemon, and acidic or abrasive cleaners. They etch marble, travertine, limestone and onyx, leaving dull patches. Use a pH-neutral stone cleaner and a soft sponge, and dry it after.
How often should a shower be cleaned? Give it a full scrub every week or two, and squeegee the walls and glass after each shower in between. A quick dry after each shower keeps soap scum from building up.
Does a house cleaning include the shower? Yes. Standard House Cleaning cleans the tub, shower and tiled walls and the shower door glass and tracks. Deep Cleaning scrubs the shower with the soap scum and grout treated and descales the shower door glass.
Book a cleaning
We clean homes across South Jersey and Central Jersey. Book online at tinascleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (609) 831-4455.
