Caring for your Glass Shower Enclosure: A Self-Quiz

Why does my shower glass have a cloudy appearance?

Water that dries on the metal and the glass components of your shower enclosure can leave mineral deposits. These minerals are part of our tap water. These kinds of residues accumulate and over time they will tend to dull the surfaces.

Do I need to scour the glass after every shower to remove the haze?

No! While cleaning the shower routinely is important, tests show that some cleaners do more harm than good. Following a plan for properly cleaning your shower glass, and the metal components, will keep the shower enclosure looking good and reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning!

Are there some cleaners that I should avoid using on my shower?

Yes! According to glass professionals many of our common household cleaning products are not suited to shower enclosure components. Avoid cleaning solutions that contain the following ingredients: vinegar, ammonia, bleach and / or acid-based chemicals. These ingredients can cause severe damage to the metal finish of door-pulls and other hardware. Beware! Some kinds of cleaning solutions can actually destroy metal finishes in as little as five minutes!

Glass is Glass – why does my shower enclosure need special care?

Those pesky mineral deposits build-up in your shower from daily use. Other glass surfaces in your house are not exposed to water on a daily basis. The goal of routine care is to prevent the accumulation of hard water scum and to avoid using cleaning techniques that cause damage!

What cleaners are hazardous to the glass part of my shower enclosure?

Abrasives – everything abrasive is potentially harmful to your glass enclosure. All abrasive cleaners, all scouring pads should be avoided; they are hazards to both the metal and glass parts of your shower enclosure. Abrasive products are intended to scratch the surfaces that they contact and you do not want scratches on either the glass or the metal surfaces.

Okay …then how do I maintain my shower enclosure?

Start by checking the ingredients list on daily-use misting cleaners. Some of these solutions are hard on plastic components, so read the label carefully.

Limit your list of cleaning solutions and tools to those with the right ingredients. Make it a habit to check the look of the glass when your shower has dried. Regular cleaning with a mild, non-abrasive cleanser (available next to the traditional abrasive cleansers in most supermarkets) applied with an ordinary sponge or cloth, using light pressure, will keep your glass free of build-up.

Note: Brass surfaces need special care! Brass towel bars, c-pulls, brass hardware should only be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use any detergent or cleanser.