The Best Way To Properly Clean Your Acrylic Shower For Lasting Shine

The excitement of your new bathroom, whether it's time for a bathroom remodel or you just bought a new home, can quickly dampen once you realize you have to clean it — and you're not sure how to keep your shower squeaky clean. Acrylic showers are a popular choice for bathrooms thanks to their durability and ease of installation, especially if remodeling with a limited budget. If you have one of these showers, you don't need to purchase an expensive cleaner to care for it. You can get a sparkling clean finish in your acrylic shower with a mixture of dish soap and vinegar, along with a soft cloth or sponge.

Made of acrylic sheets reinforced with glass fibers and resin, an acrylic shower offers an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Acrylic showers are prone to scratches, with these marks offering a possibility for mold to grow as the scratches trap moisture. As a result, avoiding abrasive cleaners that might scratch the surface is a must. Cleaning with dish soap and vinegar lets you remove any build-up in your shower without resorting to toxic chemicals. If you decide to go for a commercial cleaner, the best options to thoroughly clean your shower are gentle cleansers, but you should check your manufacturer's notes, if possible. If you'd rather go the natural route, follow these tips to clean your acrylic shower.

A simple 50/50 combination of vinegar and liquid soap detergent can help keep your shower clean. Mix in a spray bottle, then shake for even distribution. Wet your shower walls before you start cleaning for the most effective scrub. Spray liberally on a soft cloth and on the walls, then start gently scrubbing. For a really dirty shower wall with soap scum and scale, let it sit for up to 10 minutes. Another option is to use 50/50 vinegar and water instead of vinegar with dish soap. Regardless of which option you make, using vinegar to clean your shower helps break down soap scum, as mineral deposits and other buildup are no match for its acidic properties.

Never use a dish scrubber, steel wool, or any products that contain acetone and other solvents to clean your acrylic shower. Some manufacturers also caution owners to avoid commercial bathroom cleaners such as Pine-Sol, Simple Green, Lysol with Hydrogen Peroxide, and Tilex.