In hard water areas, which cover much of England, shower glass quickly gets a cloudy white film of limescale and soap scum. It comes off with a simple home-made spray and a little effort, and a 30-second habit keeps it from coming back.
What you need
- White vinegar and water
- A spray bottle
- A non-scratch sponge or soft brush
- A squeegee
Step by step
- Mix the spray. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
- Spray the glass all over and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes so the vinegar can soften the limescale.
- Scrub gently with a non-scratch sponge, paying attention to the bottom of the glass where marks build up most. A cordless electric spin scrubber with a soft sponge head saves a lot of elbow work on big screens and tiles.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Squeegee dry from top to bottom, wiping the blade between strokes.
For stubborn spots, repeat the spray and leave it longer before scrubbing again.
Keep it off: squeegee after every shower
Limescale forms when water dries on the glass. Wiping the glass with a squeegee after each shower takes about 30 seconds and stops most of it building up. A long-handle shower squeegee reaches the top of the screen easily, and a 3-in-1 window cleaner with spray and squeegee does the spray, scrub and wipe in one tool.
A word of caution
Don't use vinegar on natural stone such as marble or limestone, and avoid scouring pads on glass with a special coating. Check your shower maker's care advice if you are unsure.