How Do Hotels Keep Glass Shower Doors Clean?

Ever been to a hotel and looked at the shower doors? They're pretty sparkly clean arent they. So how do hotels keep those bathrooms so clean? Well, the simple answer is that they clean those bathrooms every single day. Bathroom shower doors collect the most soap scum and buildup, but with regular cleaning, your glass doors can remain clean longer and even repel soapy buildup!

If you're interested in getting the same sparkling glass doors at home but don't have time to clean your entire bathroom every day, there is still a solution for you. Try planning for a weekly cleaning that includes wiping down counters, faucets, sinks, washing the tubs, and scrubbing the mirror and glass door. It's hard work but it's worth getting that squeaky clean hotel bathroom cleanliness you've always admired!

The Effect of Hard Water on Glass Shower Doors

Hard water contains a high amount of dissolved minerals including calcium, magnesium, and limescale. Soft water, on the other hand, like fresh rain water contains less of these minerals is soft, but overtime passes through the ground and collects these hardness minerals.

So why do those ugly soap stains and water spots appear on your glass shower door in the first place? You can blame hard water for all the scrubbing you've had to do over the years. The dissolved minerals in hard water such as; calcium, magnesium, chalk, and lime, are notorious for leaving soapy scum and limescale deposits in every place of your home. Once these minerals come in contact with soap detergents, they leave stains all over your shower doo.

What is soap scum?

Although these buildups are annoying to clean, there are convenient solutions to prevent them from appearing. First, you should clean any already accumulated soap scum, and then you can try either natural or commercial solutions (Refer to below) to prevent further buildup of dirt in the future.You've probably seen it before in the corner of your showers and around your sink. "Soap Scum" is that pale-colored wax, consistent with soap particles, calcium, and minerals from hard water. The ions react with one another to create a persistent water-insoluble stain on the glass door.

What removes hardware stains from glass shower doors?

Here are some of the popular tricks to removing soap scum:

Note: Glass doors are easily scrapped by poor quality cloths. If hard water and soapy buildup have already caused etching on glass doors, cleaning will eliminate the build but not reverse the etching. The best defense is to prevent it from happening again by doing a final wipe with ONLY Microfiber Cloths.

1. Vinegar

Try using any distilled vinegar for cleaning shower doors in your bathroom, it's an inexpensive and practical solution. Vinegar's acidity prevents soapy buildup temporarily and isn't harmful to the environment or your family.

With Water: Combine 1/4 cup white vinegar and 3/4 cup hot water into a spray bottle. Spray onto glass, edges, and around the faucet and let it sit for 15 minutes. Pour a mix of one part white vinegar and three parts warm distilled water into a spray bottle and spray it onto the glass. Rinse it with warm water after a few minutes and wipe it off with a cloth, newspaper, or paper towel.

With Dish Soap: Combine dish soap and white vinegar, keeping a 1:1 ratio. Clean your shower doors and do a final wipe with a dry microfibre cloth to prevent water spotting.

2. Baking soda

With Water: Similar to vinegar, baking soda chemically reacts with water to remove any dirt and grime your shower may have. Simply pour a handful of baking soda onto a cloth to wipe an already damp shower door. Rinse with warm water and enjoy your new sparkly clean glass door.

With Vinegar: Mix a paste with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar and stir until fully combined and runny. Gently spread across shower doors and in bathtub corners and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

3. Vinegar, baking soda, and salt

Pour 1/2 cup vinegar into a spray bottle to spray over the entire shower door. After 10 minutes, spread the powder of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon of salt over the glass with a damp towel. Let sit for 5 minutes before rinsing.

4. Lemon and water

Lemon is another naturally acidic option that you can use to clean your shower door, plus it leaves your washroom smelling great!

With Water: Mix 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with 1 cup of distilled water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray on shower doors. Dry the glass with a microfiber cloth after five minutes to prevent water spots.

5. Essential Oils

Dampen a clean cloth with baby oil and essential oils such as; lemon, lavender, tea tree, peppermint, and then wipe down your shower doors with the cloth.

Baby oil will prevent the soap scum from accumulating and will also decrease the amount of time between cleanings. Essential oils may also be used as it provides the same protection against soap scum and leaves your bathroom smelling naturally fresh.

Next time you see any remaining soap scum or dirt, repeat the steps above until your shower doors sparkle. And once the doors are thoroughly clean, a little preventative maintenance will go a long way!

How do I keep my shower glass spotless permanently?

We've saved the best tip for last! Even though hotels do clean their shower doors every single day, that's not the only trick they have to keep their glass doors clean. Most hotels actually have water softeners to remove water hardness minerals that would make house keeping services work even harder than they already do!

Although the quick fixes mentioned above are a much cheaper alternative, the most long term solution is on that avoid all the manual labor or scrubbing. Invest in a water softener and reap the benefits of soft water across your entire home. Not only will your glass doors be clear but soft water also keeps your skin and hair healthy, clothes softer, dishes clean, and it helps your appliances last longer. A water softener ends up saving you money in the long run!

Conclusion

Interested in learning more about how a water softener can benefit your home? Visit Aquatell today to learn more, and talk to a water specialist to find the water softener right for you!