Watermarks are caused when hard water dries and leaves chalky limescale deposits on bathroom surfaces such as porcelain and glass. If you have a shower enclosure or shower screen, you’ll know how difficult removing watermarks from glass shower doors can be. Our guide to cleaning shower glass will help you keep these pesky marks at bay whilst preventing mould and limescale from building up in your shower enclosure.
Shower screens and doors
Shower doors, screens, and enclosures are vital for protecting your bathroom from water damage. However, your shower enclosure can also be a stylish feature. Wondering what the best shower doors and screens are for your bathroom? Explore our shower enclosure buying guide to find the perfect design.
Whatever your preferred shower enclosure looks like, keeping the glass clean helps maintain your bathroom’s appearance. Regular cleaning will eliminate streaks, watermarks and soap suds from the shower door or screen.
The best way to clean shower glass
You can try several products and methods to remove watermarks from glass. Before reaching for harsh cleaning chemicals, use white vinegar. This tried-and-tested household product is the best way to clean a shower screen and is highly effective at removing limescale. Always use distilled white vinegar as malt or cider vinegar won’t clean as thoroughly and may stain surfaces.
What you’ll need
These are the products you’ll need to get your shower glass sparkling. Always wear gloves whilst using cleaning chemicals and keep your bathroom well ventilated throughout the process.
- Spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Water
- Gloves
- Cotton cloth
- Microfibre cloth
- Squeegee
Method
- Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar, then add the mixture to a spray bottle.
- Spray the affected area with the mixture, ensuring all glass surfaces are entirely covered.
- Use a cotton cloth to wipe down the glass. If any stubborn stains won’t come off, pour the mixture onto a cloth and scrub the affected area, taking care not to damage the glass.
- Squeegee the area to remove excess water, then gently buff with a microfibre cloth to make the glass shine.
- If watermarks still show up or stubborn stains persist, you may need a specialist water stain remover.
- When using these products, always wear protective gloves, open all windows and doors and turn on the extractor fan if you have one.
- Follow instructions on the bottle carefully and never leave the product on the surface longer than recommended.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 to remove excess product and achieve sparkling glass shower doors, enclosures and screens.
How to prevent watermarks and limescale
There’s nothing worse than cleaning your bathroom, only to find watermarks and limescale have reappeared the following day. These are some simple preventative measures you can incorporate into your home and daily routines.
Regular cleaning
A squeegee is one of the most practical and affordable items that can prevent watermarks and limescale from reappearing on your glass shower doors. Some feature a holder that sticks to your shower wall, making them easy to use every time you shower. After showering, squeegee all the moisture off the glass of your enclosure or screen to stop watermarks from appearing.
Good ventilation
Keep your bathroom well ventilated to help water evaporate quickly from your shower screen. Droplet marks are more likely to appear when water sits on the glass for long periods.
If your bathroom is poorly ventilated due to small windows, no extractor fan, or you’re having problems with damp, find out how to reduce bathroom condensation. If you have space for some decorative accessories, consider buying bathroom-friendly plants that absorb moisture.
Buy a water softener
Alternatively, you could buy a water softener machine if you live in an area with hard water. Hard water can cause damage to pipes and appliances and dry out your hair and skin, so this may be a worthwhile investment.
Battling with limescale build-up on your shower head or taps? Find out how to remove limescale safely and effectively. If left untreated, limescale can cause blockages in your pipes, resulting in poor shower performance and costly plumbing bills. Want to get the whole bathroom shining? Discover more easy hacks and cleaning tips from Mira.