Nowhere gets visibly dirty as quickly as shower glass, which means all the hard water and soap scum buildup is front of mind whenever you step into the bathroom.
Cleaning it can be a challenge, especially if buildup has been there a long time and hasn't responded to any cleaning products you've tried.
So here are 15 different things you can use to transform cloudy shower glass back to sparkling, including several you already have at home.
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Dishwashing liquid
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to clean your shower is with a squirt of dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle with water. Or if you prefer a more casual approach just add it straight on a damp sponge. Then scrub with a non-scratch scourer or cloth, rinse and squeegee off.
The same surfactants and degreasing properties that clean your dishes is also effective at removing shower glass residue.
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Vinegar
White vinegar comes in a 2L bottle for $1.85 at Coles and Woolworths making it the champion of affordable household cleaning. Just add equal parts vinegar and water to a spray bottle, spray on the glass panel, leave for up to 10 minutes, wipe and rinse off.
The acidity in vinegar is brilliant at breaking down soap scum and hard water deposits.
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Dishwashing liquid and vinegar
Combine a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for an even more effective cleaner than the two above. Use the same way by spraying, leaving for a few minutes and scrubbing before rinsing off.
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Black tea
Yep, the same thing you drink can be used to clean the shower. Just pop a tea bag in hot water to steep and once cool add this mix to a spray bottle. Spray the tea solution on the glass and wipe with a cloth.
The tannins in tea are what gives it the ability to dissolve soap scum and hard water residue. They also help shine the glass.
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Lemons
You can clean the shower with lemons a few ways; by dipping half a lemon in salt and using that to scrub the shower, dipping half a lemon in baking soda (bicarb soda) and scrubbing with it, by making a paste with lemon juice and baking soda or making a spray with equal parts lemon juice and water. After scrubbing rinse off and buff dry with a cloth.
The citric acid in lemons is what does the job of eating through the residue on shower glass.
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Citric acid
If you want to skip the lemons – and given the cost of an individual one, fair enough – you can go straight to citric acid. Make a spray by dissolving a tablespoon or two in hot water. Spray this on, leave for a couple of minutes to work its magic then scrub or wipe off.
Citric acid is regularly used in bathroom and shower cleaning products so it's worth trying your own cheap spray with a 75g of citric acid just $3 at Coles.
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Baking soda
This is another one that can be used a few ways. A paste of baking soda and water or baking soda, water and dishwashing liquid used to scrub the shower glass works well – just make sure you give it a good rinse afterwards.
Baking soda is a gentle abrasive that can break down residue and also deodorises, so if your shower is a bit stinky give this a try.
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Shaving cream
Not just for removing hair, shaving cream contains glycerin which helps stop glass fogging up, as well as surfactants that help break down soap scum.
Just apply to the shower screen, scrub, wipe off with a cloth and rinse with water.
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Rinse aid
The same thing you use in the dishwasher to make your glasses shine can also be used on shower glass panels. There are a few options here including adding straight to a cloth and wiping straight on or diluting with water in a spray bottle and a squirt of dish soap.
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Vodka
The same famous alcoholic drink is also a powerful mould killer and and soap scum remover. Make a spray with half a cup of water and half a cup of vodka, then use this to spray the shower and any mouldy areas. Leave to sit for 15 minutes and then wipe off with a fresh cloth.
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WD-40
After you've tackled a squeaky door, keep the WD-40 out for your shower glass. Spray onto the stained shower glass and scrub with a sponge for a sparkling finish.
The company behind the iconic product says the reason this garage staple works on shower screens is "because WD-40 has water displacement properties, it protects your shower doors from further water damage, and rust stains from where metal comes into contact with your doors."
Rubbing alcohol
A solution containing 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol and 30 per cent water, rubbing alcohol is a brilliant disinfectant that can also break down soap scum and hard water stains.
Make a spray of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol then spray on and let sit for at least five minutes, or 10 if you need a more thorough clean and wipe with a cloth.
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Melamine sponges
This product is better known by the most famous brand name, Magic Eraser, but using any melamine sponge will work on your shower glass. Even cleaners use them to tackle hard water and soap scum buildup by wetting the sponge and then scrubbing on the shower glass.
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Cornflour
This pantry staple gets overlooked despite its excellent cleaning properties. Combine a tablespoon of cornflour (also known as corn starch), a cup of water and a quarter cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the glass. After letting it sit for a few minutes wipe off before rinsing.
Cornflour works because it is a natural abrasive, absorbent and even fills in imperfections for less streaks when finished.
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Methylated spirits
Another one from the garage, methylated spirits is denatured alcohol (which means you can't drink it) giving it powerful disinfecting, degreasing and shining properties.
Use methylated spirits for shower cleaning by mixing four parts metho to one part water in a spray bottle and spray this mixture on the shower glass. Let the solution sit for five minutes before wiping with a damp cloth.
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