Having a new glass shower enclosure put in – or installing one yourself – is an exciting step for a bathroom. Once the structure is in place, it’s crucial to keep both the glass and metal clean in order to preserve the beauty of the shower area. We’ll go over preventative steps, dos and don’ts, and best practices for maintaining your glass enclosure.

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1. Order glass with permanent protection.

 

Water spots and corrosion are common plagues for shower glass, but you can eliminate or reduce them by choosing permanently protected glass from the outset. For example, one Northern VA glass shop offers three options: HydroClear by Cardinal Glass, OptiShower by Pilkington, and ShowerGuard by Guardian. Choosing such a specialty option gives you glass that keeps its sparkle longer and washes up more easily on cleaning day.

 

2. Apply a glass protectant if you have standard glass.

 

Already chose normal shower glass? You can purchase after-market glass coatings that are rolled on, or you can use a spray-on glass protectant at regular intervals. Coating the glass is helpful because some elements in tap water don’t just leave temporary spots; they can actually mar the glass permanently.

 

3. Dry the glass after use.

 

Another excellent preventative practice involves promptly removing water from the glass after each shower (or after the last shower, if several are happening in a row). To make this easier, keep a small rubber squeegee inside the shower or hang an absorbent cloth on a nearby towel bar.

 

4. Dry the metal components as well.

 

Hardware can also fall victim to water spots, soap scum, and corrosion, so it should be dried at the same time as the glass. A squeegee will remove some water from the interior sides of hinges and clamps, but a cloth is best for pieces like a knob or pull handle.

 

5. Stick to a regular cleaning schedule.

 

Another way to keep small problems from becoming large issues is by sticking to a regular schedule of cleaning the glass and metal. Many find it helpful to start by cleaning every week and then make it more or less frequent as the state of the glass enclosure indicates. Avoid letting lots of time pass between cleanings as this can facilitate corrosion, buildup, and mildew.

 

6. Avoid all harsh or abrasive elements.

 

Both the glass and the hardware on a shower enclosure can be permanently scratched if the wrong products are used for cleaning. Steer clear of anything harsh or abrasive, like:

• Scrubbing powder
• Scrub brushes
• Harsh chemicals

7. Use approved cleaners.

 

Glass can be washed with an approved glass cleaner or a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Apply the cleaning agent, clean the glass with a sponge or microfiber cloth, and repeat as necessary until spots and streaks are gone. For the hardware, mix a mild solution of gentle liquid soap and water. Use a soft cloth to wash the hardware with this, rinse thoroughly, and buff dry. For tough spots, you might need a specialized stain removal kit like this.

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If you’re still in the planning phase for a glass shower enclosure and need hardware, we hope you’ll check out the many offerings at glasssimple.com. We emphasize customer care, quality, and a variety of product options. Call to learn more or to set up a business account and save – (571)707-7760.