Mistakes You Have To Stop Making When Cleaning Glass Shower Doors

It's a rite of passage for anyone with glass shower doors: you scrub and scrub, only to still find cloudy streaks or water spots when you're done. Unless they start teaching glass cleaning classes in school, many people will continue to make the mistakes that cause these disappointing results, like not prepping the glass, not cleaning often enough, and using the wrong products (put down the glass cleaner and paper towel roll). Fortunately, it's never too late to learn the methods that will actually leave your glass shower dazzlingly clean.

Glass shower doors help bathrooms look cleaner and more open, making them popular with many homeowners. The downside is that your shower sees a lot of debris from day to day, and glass doors are like a wide-open window to it all. They show everything – soap scum, water spots, mineral deposits, product residues, mildew, and dead skin cells.

Using the right cleaning techniques is important, not only to remove spots and streaks, but also to avoid worse issues like scratches. Since the glass itself is non-porous, it's easy to sanitize and resistant to mold. But shower doors also contain nooks and crannies that can accumulate gunk if not thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. By avoiding common pitfalls and working effectively, you can finally enjoy sparkly-clear shower doors while saving time, money, and energy.

One of the main goals of cleaning glass shower doors is to remove streaks and smudges. But some cleaning techniques actually create those marks rather than getting rid of them. One common mistake is not dusting the doors first or removing any dirt. Debris that is left on the surface while you clean can create tiny abrasions on the surface, resulting in a hazy, streaky look (not to mention damaging the glass). After you dust, soak the glass with water before applying cleaning products — never try to scrub dry glass.

Another common mistake is to scrub or wipe in a circular motion. It may seem like an intuitive way to do a thorough job, but because this technique wipes the same parts of the glass repeatedly, it's more likely to create smudges. Instead, work in straight lines from side to side, either vertically or horizontally.

Lastly, certain products are also more likely to leave marks behind. Cloths and paper towels often have tiny pieces of lint that remain on the glass, while soap-based products may leave a streaky residue. Even water can leave streaks behind if it has a high mineral content — also known as hard water. For streak-free shower doors, use a microfiber cloth and dry with a squeegee rather than a rag. Try to work quickly before the products evaporate, as that's also a recipe for streaks.

Many people reach for whatever glass cleaner they have on hand when it's time to clean the shower. But something like Windex isn't the best solution for cleaning shower doors, especially if you're dealing with significant soap scum or hard water build-up. Vinegar is a better choice because it's more effective at cutting through mineral deposits and less likely to leave smudges behind. It's also highly affordable. Dilute the vinegar with equal parts water, or for heavier-duty cleaning, use it undiluted and let it soak on the glass for at least 10 minutes. You may also have success cleaning glass shower doors with Pine-Sol, dryer sheets, or baking soda, particularly for stubborn hard water or soap stains.

Avoid using abrasive products or scrubbers like scouring pads so you don't accidentally scratch the glass. For example, it's common to use Bar Keeper's Friend to clean shower doors, but BKF is abrasive enough that it can leave tiny scratches behind. The scratches are so fine that they often aren't noticeable to the average person's naked eye, but they're still there. Magic Eraser is another common abrasive used for this purpose; it's gentler than BKF but should still be used with caution — if you go this route, don't press down too hard.

Lastly, keep in mind that your cleaner may also come into contact with any metal hardware on the shower doors. Some common cleaning ingredients, like ammonia, are safe enough for glass but will wear down any finishes on the metal, so they should still be skipped or used with caution.

If you find yourself tempted to use an ultra-abrasive cleaning product or tool on your glass shower doors just to cut through the grime, chances are you haven't been cleaning them often enough. The longer you wait between cleaning sessions, the more build-up you will have to deal with, and the more scrubbing power or harsher products you'll have to use to get them clean again. Plus, build-up can scratch the surface of the glass if left long enough.

In reality, cleaning glass shower doors is a daily task. The good news is that the process doesn't take long, and if you're diligent about this step, you won't have to do intensive cleans as often. Just wipe the water off of the doors using a squeegee and microfiber cloth, ideally after every shower. Dry the shower tracks off with a cloth each day. You can also apply a daily shower spray to further prevent build-up and make life easier in the long run.

By keeping the shower doors as dry as possible, you'll avoid water spots and soap scum build-up and reduce the chance of mold growth on the tracks. Other ways to dry out shower doors include leaving them open for an hour or so after you shower and running the exhaust fan.

If the glass looks clear, you're in the clear, right? Definitely not. The tracks and seams are the biggest hotspots for mold or mildew growth and general gunk build-up, since they're essentially little pockets of moisture and scum. Considering these nooks "out of sight, out of mind" is a super common mistake, as eventually, that mold will become a visible eye sore.

A tiny brush, like a spare toothbrush, will be your best friend here. As part of your weekly clean, soak the shower door tracks with undiluted white vinegar, letting it sit overnight if necessary. Use paper towels to plug the drain holes during this process. Then scrub with the brush and wipe the area clean. If mold is already present, you can use a stronger fungicide than vinegar, such as a commercial mold cleaner or bleach diluted with water. Don't forget to ventilate the area if using these products.

Water-repelling glass protectants are a perfect example of working smarter instead of harder. These products are applied onto the glass either at the manufacturer or at home, and they're formulated to repel water so it rolls right off the surface of the doors, saving you time on squeegeeing every day. Soap, dirt, and other debris also doesn't stick to shower doors with protectant layers, which cuts down on cleaning time and reduces the chance of mildew growth, spots, and streaks. The glass itself will last longer, too.

There are two types of water-repellent coatings for glass. A hydrophobic coating for your shower is the most durable option, forming a long-lasting barrier between the glass and water. Silicone-based sealants are also effective, but don't last as long. If professionally applied before installation, glass coatings can last up to 15 years. If your shower doors didn't already come with one, you'll have to DIY it and reapply regularly, but the trade-offs are well worth it.