Preventive Maintenance Is Key in Fighting Soap Scum

If you have clear glass shower doors, you’ve probably seen a cloudy whitish substance that seems to build up on the doors. It’s soap scum buildup, probably accompanied by lime from hard water droplets that remain on the shower door and walls.

What will make it go away? Abrasive powdered cleaners may make it leave temporarily, but they can also scratch your glass. Try using your phosphoric acid-based cleaner, such as Shower Power, or for heavier buildup, Lime-A-Way. Apply the product, letting it sit on the problem areas, then wipe with a white-backed sponge and rinse thoroughly. Clean the track areas out as well, making sure the sealer or grout on the outside of the track is solid so that water does not leak out onto your carpet or tile.

Dry the glass completely and clean the outside of the shower doors with your favorite glass cleaner. When you are finished doing that, apply a wax-based product such as Gel-Gloss or even a car paste wax to the insides. Follow the label instructions. The glass shower doors will now shed water much better.

Try purchasing a squeegee and keeping it inside the shower so that you can squeegee off those doors to eliminate the problem. Periodically clean the inside of the doors as mentioned above and reapply the wax. Don’t hesitate to wax the tracks and handles as well as to keep them nice. You’ll save hard work in the long run.