We shower to clean ourselves, help us wake up in the morning, and relax after a long day. It’s the perfect way to start a day or end it off, so why not do it in a clean shower? After a while, dirt, dust, mildew, soap scum, hard water marks, and other germs build up in the grout of tiles. Showers are also home to other fungi and viruses, an example being athlete’s foot. This is why it’s essential to clean your shower regularly. Generally speaking, cleaning your shower immediately after using it is the most efficient way to get it done as the steam softens grime which makes it easier to clean.
If you’re unsure how to clean a shower, be it a ceramic tile, fibreglass, or stone shower, keep reading as we look at the different ways it can be done.
How To Clean A Tile Shower
Ceramic or porcelain tile showers are the most common types of shower because they are low-maintenance and can last a lifetime. Tile grout, however, can attract dirt and mould. Follow these six steps if you want to clean a tile shower:
Cleaning equipment:
- Sponge or scrub
- Rubber gloves
- Soft bristle brush
- Squeegee
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloths
- Multipurpose cleaner or disinfectant
Cleaning products:
- Chlorine bleach
- Multipurpose cleaner or disinfectant
- Commercial tile and grout cleaner or homemade solution
- DIY- cleaning solution – mix equal parts vinegar and washing up liquid, or half a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of ammonia and three quarts of hot water poured into an empty spray bottle
1. Remove Items From The Shower
A shower is easier to clean if it’s free from shower gels, shampoo bottles, razors, soap, toys, and other accessories. Once you have removed these items, clean sticky soap residue or mould from them by dipping a cloth into hot water, then wipe each bottle and accessory. Also, don’t forget to take any hair out of the drain.
2. Create Airflow And Wet The Walls
Create ventilation to help air out the bathroom from cleaning product fumes, and for the shower to dry faster. Turn on a fan in the bathroom if you have one, and keep the bathroom door and windows open. Wet the walls of your shower with water from the shower head or a bucket.
3. Clean Grout
If you can see mildew on the tile grout, clean it first. Apply grout cleaner to the shower tiles from a spray bottle or a bucket. You can also make a cleaning solution by mixing 1 part chlorine bleach and 2 parts water, either in a bucket or poured into a spray bottle. Once applied to the tiles, allow the solution to soak the walls for 10 minutes. Then, scrub grouts using a soft bristle brush or old toothbrush, and rinse the tiles with hot water.
- Warning: Do not try to mix chlorine bleach and ammonia for a cleaning solution, it will result in toxic fumes being made.
4. Clean Shower Floors
Apply multipurpose cleaner or disinfectant to your shower floor and walls. Let it work for 5 to 10 minutes to break down soap scum and residue, you will find that scrubbing is not too intensive.
5. Scrub Walls And Floor
With a sponge or plastic mesh scrubber, scrub all areas of the shower floor and walls, then rinse with fresh water from top to bottom. Remember it is best not to use a metal scrub or hard bristle brush as this will scratch your shower tiles.
6. Dry With Squeegee
Using a squeegee or old towels, dry up water from all surfaces. If water is left after cleaning the shower walls and floor it will end up leaving water spots. Remember to dry so that your shower looks sparkling clean.
And that is how simple it is to clean a shower. Your shower will look fresh and clean if you use the cleaning methods explained here, regularly. Remember to always open your windows and leave the bathroom door open after a shower, and also to wipe the walls and doors of the shower with a squeegee. For other shower cleaning tips, check out our posts for shower head cleaning and shower door cleaning. With these maintenance tips, your shower will always be pleasantly clean.
