Shower Cleaning and Care Tips for Glass and Hardware
28th Jan 2025
The perfect glass, hardware, and tile are the ingredients for your dream
shower. Once your custom enclosure has been installed, of course you want it
stay looking its best for as long as possible. Proper care and cleaning of the
glass and metal are keys to success. From preventative measures to cleaning
hacks, we’ll go over pro tips for keeping your glass and hardware sparkling and
clean.
Minimize Issues with Preventative Care
If you’re still in the planning phase of your custom glass
shower project, there’s time to upgrade to protected glass. Various permanent
or long-lasting glass protection options are on the market. Some are applied
during the manufacturing process, while others are rolled or sprayed on
afterwards. However, many of you reading this article may have already opted
for normal glass. In this case, you can still purchase after-market glass
protectants that should be applied at recommended intervals.
Also, you can keep care and cleaning in mind as you choose your glass and hardware. For instance, smooth glass – clear or tinted – is typically easier to get clean than textured glass like acid-etched, sand-blasted, and patterned options. On the other hand, acid-etched and sand-blasted glass may not show spots as readily. With regard to the hardware, brushed finishes such as brushed nickel hide fingerprints and water spots better than something shiny like polished chrome.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Another effective maintenance measure is drying the glass and
metal. Keep a squeegee in or near the shower stall. (Plastic or rubber products
are good because metal squeegee frames could damage the glass.) After each
shower, use the squeegee to quickly remove water from the glass panels and
door. If you want to keep the whole shower looking good for as long as
possible, squeegee the tile walls and the floor, too. Finally, use a towel or
other cloth to dry the
hinges,
pull handle,
and other metal pieces. By removing water quickly you reduce its ability to
leave residue, form soap scum deposits, or corrode the shower surfaces.
Clean Regularly Using Appropriate Products
Preventative measures and regular maintenance can lengthen
the time between cleanings, but showers do need to be cleaned on a regular
schedule. One approach is to start with weekly washings of the tile, hardware,
and glass and then try waiting a little longer and little longer, until you
find the right interval. On the other hand, if you find that it’s getting dirty
even before one week is up, double down on squeegeeing and consider a mid-week
touch up.
When cleaning shower glass and metal, keep the following in mind: