How to clean a shower stall? This question arises both when purchasing it and during operation. Before you start cleaning, you need to pay attention to the materials from which the shower cabin is made. There are varieties that require a special cleaning agent so as not to spoil their appearance.
How to remove soap and limescale at home?
It is necessary to be responsible when choosing household chemicals for cleaning shower cabins! The table below will discuss the types of materials and their care.
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Material name |
How to care? |
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Acrylic tray |
This type requires a rather reverent attitude towards it, just like polystyrene. Acrylic as a material has already become a favorite due to its light weight and fairly convenient transportation.. One of the disadvantages of choosing an acrylic tray is that the material requires more maintenance. After all, it scratches quite easily and quickly erodes under the influence of harsh detergents. Nowadays, there are a number of detergents designed specifically for acrylic plumbing fixtures. |
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Enamel coated tray |
Caring for an enamel bathtub at home is quite easy and simple. The advantage of enamel trays is their coating: lime and soap deposits do not stick to it. Washing this tray is a pleasure, because there are many gels, sprays and powders designed specifically for enamel coating. |
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Caring for the tiles in the shower is quite simple. Just like the previous type, the tiles can be washed with any detergents intended for plumbing. |
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Painted aluminum |
Aluminum is a rather finicky material. For greater shine, the aluminum surface is coated with paint, which peels off over time and leaves the appearance of bare aluminum.. Therefore, it is necessary to clean such material very carefully, without abrasives. |
How to choose a detergent?
The choice of household chemicals for shower cabins must be taken responsibly so as not to ultimately spoil the appearance of the equipment. To do this, you need to know which of them spoil the surface. The following means and materials should be prohibited:
sponges with metal coating;
harsh detergents;
microfiber.
The above materials can damage the surface, leaving scratches and marks.
The following products are best suited for cleaning the shower stall:
silicone or rubber scrapers;
sponges made from a synthetic base;
napkins.
How to clean the shower stall?
The shower stall is often washed with store-bought products. Depending on the consistency of the product, there are several types:
aerosol sprays;
pasty.
Recently, sprayers have been rapidly gaining popularity in the market of household chemicals for cleaning shower cabins. They are quite simple to apply to the surface after finishing water procedures and rinse off with running water.
A product of this nature is not very well suited for cabins with doors on roller hinges, because they can only be washed from the inside of the shower cabin. Thus, while inside the shower stall and using the sprayer, you can easily inhale chemical fumes. To avoid intoxication, simply apply the product to the fabric and rub it over the surface.
When using chemicals, you should pay attention to the frequency of their use, because the products may be intended for radical and daily cleaning.
Cleaning Frequency
To ensure that your shower cabin always shines and is snow-white, it is advisable to carry out preventive maintenance without using cleaning products after each use. This maintenance will not take a long period of time, and the cabin will always be in perfect condition.
So, daily prevention of contamination of the shower stall at home consists of the following steps::
The cabin is washed with hot water and then colder.
Using a scraper, all remaining water is removed from the walls of the cabin.
Use a dry towel or napkin to wipe dry.
That's all the simple steps that it is advisable to perform to keep your shower stall perfectly clean.
If you don’t have time to wash the cabin after yourself every time, it is enough to carry out preventive maintenance once a week.
The amount of time spent cleaning the shower stall will depend on the frequency of cleaning.
Folk remedies for cleaning the shower stall
The high price of a detergent for a shower stall is not a guarantee of its quality, and therefore sometimes you have to resort to time-tested folk remedies. The table that follows will clearly describe which products are best used for showers, as well as how to use them.
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Name |
Usage |
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The effectiveness of soap in cleaning shower stalls is on par with more expensive care products. It is necessary to wash the cabin at home using a soft sponge in a soapy solution. |
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Acetic or citric acid |
Used to clean the shower cabin from limescale. Before using the product, it is necessary to treat the cabin with hot water, and only then apply hot vinegar or a solution with citric acid using a scraper. Then leave for 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. |
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White wine |
It should be used only after the residue has become wine vinegar. It must be placed in a spray bottle and distributed over all surfaces of the shower stall, and then washed with warm water. |
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Lemon baby soap or furniture polish |
Both of these products do a pretty good job of protecting the cabin from soap scum. |
Thus, it becomes clear that you can keep your shower stall clean without spending a lot of money, but using available folk remedies.
When cleaning a shower stall, difficulties arise due to its dimensions and complex design. If cleaning is not done in a timely manner, stains and mold appear on the surface, the walls become covered with plaque, and the plumbing fixture loses its original appearance. The situation is aggravated by the proliferation of bacteria, resulting in an unpleasant musty odor. You can clean your shower stall from lime deposits and various contaminants at home using simple household products.
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Household chemicals
Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of cleaning products that can eliminate any contamination. Products from the brands Cilit, Cif, Mister Muscle, etc. will help clean the shower stall from limescale. They are represented by special sprays, solutions and creamy compositions. Cleaning products easily remove dirt from the surface of the pallet without harming the coating. The glass walls of the cabin are treated with window cleaning liquid. Before use, you must read the instructions for use. During operation, shower doors should be left open to avoid intoxication. You should first make sure you have gloves and a respirator.
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Folk remedies
Some special products that are commercially available contain aggressive chemical compounds that can cause irreparable damage to the plumbing fixture. Washing the shower stall with folk remedies will help eliminate dirt without damaging its appearance.
Vinegar
Limescale deposits on glass walls are removed with a solution of 9% vinegar diluted with water in equal proportions. To do this, apply the product to problem areas and rinse with warm water after 10 minutes. After the procedure, the surface must be wiped with a dry, clean cloth. The product is used for preventive purposes and to remove complex stains. The solution does not leave streaks and does not discolor the walls of the cabin.
If the tray is made of ceramic or stone, the following product will do. You need to mix vinegar with water and then spray it onto the surface with a spray bottle. After 20 minutes, the solution is washed off with water.
Lemon acid
An effective remedy for soap stains, yellow plaque and mold is citric acid. A tablespoon of the substance must be dissolved in one glass of water, and then clean the surface of the shower stall with the solution. You must first make sure that the granules are completely dissolved, as they can scratch the enamel and glass. In case of serious contamination, the product can be left for a while and then washed off with water.
Citric acid removes greasy stains on any type of surface. Freshly squeezed lemon juice has similar properties.
Soda
This is a budget and effective option in the fight against soap and limescale. The contaminated area should be pre-moistened, and then remove the stains using a sponge and soda. Be careful when washing as baking soda is abrasive and may cause scratches.
Soda in combination with hydrogen peroxide works well against fungus and mold on the tray. The product should clean the dirt and then apply peroxide. After the procedure, it is forbidden to wash off the solution - it is necessary that it dry, since harmful microorganisms die during drying.
Toothpaste
Effective means for cleaning any surfaces are tooth powder or paste, which do not have abrasive properties and cope with old plaque. The selected product must be applied to the contaminated areas for 5-10 minutes, and then cleaned with a soft-bristled brush. Dirt disappears instantly, the shower cabin becomes clean and shiny. Silver polish, which is suitable for acrylic bathtubs, has the same properties.
Vodka
It is easy to get rid of soap scum and fungus on chrome surfaces with alcohol or vodka. The liquid must be mixed with water in a ratio of 1:2, and then washed and treated with a soft cloth or sponge. An effective analogue of vodka is the carbonated drink Coca-Cola. It must be applied to the surface, left for half an hour, and then washed off with a sponge or soft microfiber cloth.
Ammonia
The hardest thing to deal with is black mold, which forms in places where water accumulates. To eliminate it, it is recommended to make your own solution from vinegar and ammonia. The liquids should be mixed in equal proportions and then applied to problem areas. After this, in order to disinfect and consolidate the result, it is necessary to treat clean surfaces with a soda solution.
Preventive measures
Compliance with basic care rules will keep your shower cabin clean and significantly extend its service life. Tips and recommendations for pollution prevention:
- You can take care of the cabin using a steam generator. If streaks or small stains appear, direct a stream of hot air to the surface and then wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
- It is not recommended to wash the shower cabin with metal scrapers or using abrasives. They leave scratches in which bacteria and fungus grow over time. Preference should be given to melamine sponges.
- It is prohibited to clean the shower cabin with chemicals that contain formaldehyde, solvents, acetone, or formic acid.
- Non-aggressive household chemicals will help you get rid of stains. It is recommended to use descaler or glass cleaner.
- After washing, the tray should be treated with a polish with wax, which has a water-repellent effect.
- To wash acrylic trays, use laundry soap or dishwashing detergent. Dirt can be easily removed from the surface using a sponge.
A humid environment in a shower stall allows bacteria to multiply quickly. To avoid this, a ventilation system should be installed in the bathroom. After taking a shower, the cabin doors must be left open for ventilation.
Our water is so hard, so we have to clean the kettle and plumbing fixtures quite often. Otherwise, they lose their appearance, and using them becomes problematic. Of course, in such a situation we already have our own proven methods that we successfully use. For example, I can tell you how to clean a shower head from limescale.
This element of plumbing receives special attention, since small holes become clogged very quickly. And it would be very expensive to buy a new sprayer every time.
To disassemble or not?
In order to properly clean the watering can, it is advisable to disassemble it, since it is otherwise impossible to see what is going on inside. The main pollution accumulates there. And these are not only lime deposits, but also small particles of sand and rust missed by the filter.
Unfortunately, not all models can be disassembled with your own hands and then reassembled without damaging the structure. Therefore, knowing about hard water, we always buy only collapsible ones.
The watering can is decomposed into its component parts as follows::
| Image | Description |
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Step 1
Remove the plug in the center of the mesh by picking it up with a screwdriver or knife. |
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Step 2
Unscrew the screw located under the plug. |
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Step 3
Carefully remove the mesh, being careful not to tear the thin rubber gasket. |
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Step 4
Let's break everything down into its component parts and see something like this. |
If you have a watering can of a different design, the instructions that come with any plumbing fixture will help you disassemble it.
If the device is non-separable or you do not want to touch it before the warranty period expires, it is advisable to at least disconnect the watering can from the hose.
It is worth saying that with regular cleaning every 2-3 months, there is no need to disassemble the device each time. This can be done once every six months to a year to remove accumulated insoluble debris from its insides and hose. Or when, after standard cleaning, water does not flow out of all the holes in the shower head.
Home cleaning methods
Let's move on to how to clean the shower head from limescale. Surely everyone knows that these deposits soften under the influence of acid. But it is not necessary to use caustic chemical compounds; you can use home remedies.
Method 1 - using vinegar
Vinegar is the first and most effective remedy for dealing with water stone. To make it soft, just keep the device in the solution for several hours.
At the same time, there is no need to dilute table vinegar, but if you only have essence, then before cleaning the shower head, you need to dilute it. To do this, add 6–8 parts of water to one part of the acid.
The cleaning method depends on the design of the nozzle:
- On a permanent watering can attached to the wall, put on a thick plastic bag filled with vinegar. Its neck is tightened around the leg of the atomizer and secured with an elastic band.
- An unassembled nozzle disconnected from the hose The shower head is dipped into a container of acid.
- Details after disassembly They are also placed in a container and filled with vinegar, having previously descaled them mechanically.
The holding time depends on the degree of contamination. I usually leave it overnight. And in the morning I rinse it under running water with a brush, removing the remains of the softened stone. I remove stuck particles from the holes with a toothpick.
If the process needs to be speeded up, the vinegar can be heated.
Method 2 - using citric acid
Citric acid is the second most popular and effective home remedy for descaling. You will need one large pack of 25 grams.
The contents are poured into any container that is not afraid of high temperature, and about a liter of hot water is poured into it.
Before cleaning the shower head, you can disconnect it from the hose or lower it into a jar directly, placing the container in the bathtub or shower stall.
Method 3 - using Antiscale
This product is not suitable for any model, because it only works effectively when boiled. And plastic parts can become deformed due to high temperatures.
The price of Antiscale is low and the shelf life is long, so you need to have it at home just in case. It will help get rid of old deposits, but the nozzle must first be disassembled.
The product is dissolved in water, brought to a boil, metal parts are immersed in the solution and boiled for 10–15 minutes.
Conclusion
Maintenance of plumbing fixtures should be regular, and then it will look and work like new - for a very long time. In the case of a shower stall, this is especially true - after just a few uses it loses its luster. But if we solve the problem of how to clean glass from plaque immediately after it loses its original appearance, then we pay attention to the watering can only when it starts to work poorly.
However, using the most common home remedies, this problem can be easily avoided. You now know how to do this, and the video in this article will help you visually evaluate the result. You can leave feedback on whether you managed to cope with the raid in the comments.
02/19/2017 1 3 627 views
Shower cabins are, of course, a very pleasant thing in every sense, but cleaning them is much more difficult than a bathtub. If you don’t know how to clean your shower stall from limescale, don’t worry.
There are dozens of ways to get rid of lime using folk methods and special chemical detergents. We will tell you about the most effective of them.
Why does limescale appear in the shower stall?
The main problem of our plumbing is the low quality of tap water. As a rule, it has increased rigidity and contains a high proportion of metals and calcium salts. We then see all this “good” on the shower stall, in the lime deposits of the shower nozzles, and so on, and cleaning them is not at all easy.
The higher the hardness, the more often you have to work to remove limescale. Modern high-quality filters could solve the problem. But if it is not possible to install them, then we recommend systematically cleaning the plumbing. With the right approach, cleaning your shower stall won't take much time.
Types of cleaning
If we treat housekeeping as a science and apply scientific methodology to cleaning, then we need to distinguish three main types of “special operations”.
- Daily cleaning – this is required by basic rules of personal hygiene and order. If you took a shower, rinse the shower stall with hot water and then wipe it with a dry cloth. This is quite enough to keep the cabin clean.
- Basic care - about once a week (if necessary, you can more or less often) wash the shower cabin with special-purpose household chemicals - for washing bathtubs and shower cabins. Go through the corners of the cabin with a soft brush once a week. Use a sponge to rub particularly dirty areas and rub the glass. If you see a slight limescale deposit in the shower stall, rinse it with ordinary soapy water (if it is thin and not old, this will be enough) or use one of the special household chemicals. In a word, scrub, wash, put away, but do not forget to thoroughly dry the cabin after completing wet cleaning.
- Major cleaning – About once every few months, the shower stall in the bathroom requires a thorough cleaning. If you have ignored routine cleaning, and your room is still damp, then you will have to fight not only lime deposits, but also mold. This problem also occurs when the apartment or house has not been used for a long time, and the shower stall has been left without ventilation for a long time. During major cleaning, you will need special, strong chemicals, because ordinary household chemicals may not cope with severe stains, especially mold.
We use detergents
To effectively and quickly clean the shower stall, you need to use a gel, powder or aerosol for washing bathtubs and shower stalls. Aerosols are especially convenient to use. They are easy to apply to vertical surfaces, they spread easily and have excellent cleaning properties.
Apply your detergent to the stained area and leave for 10 minutes, then use a sponge or soft cloth over all surfaces and rinse off the cleaner with water. Well, then wipe the cabin dry.
To get rid of thick lime deposits, use stronger special-purpose products. However, avoid those that contain:
- aggressive acids (for example, formic acid);
- acetone and other solvents containing it;
- formaldehyde.
Removing stains using such products may result in the plastic melting. At best, it will turn gray or become stained.
It is also not recommended to use coarse abrasive materials to wash plastic elements of the shower stall. They can leave scratches, where dirt will subsequently get clogged, fungus can form there, and then cleaning the shower well will be a big problem.
Traditional methods
If you do not like to use household chemicals in your household, you can use folk remedies. Experienced housewives always know how to clean dirt in the bathroom or kitchen. This product is found in any kitchen and is usually used in cooking.
Soda! It is not only an excellent universal cleaning product, but also has the ability to disinfect surfaces. Most often, soda is used in combination with other substances, which greatly increases its effectiveness.
- Mix a glass of hot vinegar (about 40 degrees) and 1 tablespoon of soda and wipe with this solution the places where you notice lime deposits. Wipe thoroughly and rinse with water.
- You can only use vinegar, no soda. But be sure to heat it up.
- You can only use baking soda, but it can leave scratches on soft plastic.
- For soft plastic, it is better to use toothpaste. It perfectly cleans metal and chrome surfaces. With its help, you can rub taps, hoses and watering cans to a mirror-like state.
- Vodka is good for cleaning mirrors. Spray pure vodka or diluted with water in a 1:2 ratio using an aerosol, then rub the mirror until it shines.
- If you have not only limescale, but also mold, you cannot do without ammonia or ammonia. Mix 100 g of ammonia with 50 g of soda, 50 g of vinegar and pour 2 liters of hot water into this mixture. This thermonuclear liquid will help you remove mold easily.
After such treatment, be sure to ventilate the room and wipe the surfaces dry. In general, any household chemicals can only be used in ventilated areas, otherwise you may be poisoned by harmful fumes.
They are often installed in apartments with a small bathroom area, which saves a significant amount of space. However, for the owners of such plumbing, despite all the conveniences, the problem becomes urgent: how to clean the shower stall? After all, over time, the original shine and cleanliness is lost, soap stains, limescale, and sometimes even mold and rust appear. How to deal with all these troubles, how to clean the shower stall? The answer to these questions depends on two factors: the nature of the contamination and the material of the surface on which it is located.
How to clean a shower stall whose walls and doors are made of plastic? Suitable products for cleaning these surfaces include Tilex Fresh Shower, Frosh Essig Reiniger, Luxus Clean Bath, Mister Muscle, etc. They are used according to the instructions.
- Enameled surfaces can be cleaned using powders, sprays or gels.
- Dirt on the faucet, handles and door hinges coated with chrome is removed using special products (Delu, etc.).
- When cleaning aluminum, plastic and acrylic surfaces, do not use solvents, abrasives or aggressive chemicals, as they can irreversibly damage them. You should only use products specifically designed for these materials. To maintain the shine of the acrylic surface, wax polishing and rubbing with a cloth are used. Use only soft cloths or sponges that will not leave scratches on the surface.
Folk remedies
You can prepare a mixture for removing limescale yourself. To do this, you need to dissolve 20 g of baking soda and a bag of citric acid in 200 ml of heated water, pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle and apply evenly to the walls of the cabin. After a few minutes, you need to rinse everything off and wipe dry. To remove stubborn limescale stains, toothpaste, hot vinegar or lemon juice are often used.
According to the advice of many housewives, you can deal with limescale stains using a melamine sponge without detergents. To do this, wet a piece of sponge with warm water and wipe the contaminated area.
How to clean a shower stall from rusty stains?
Some manufacturers have special products for caring for their shower cabins, including for removing rust. Their advantage is that they are absolutely safe for various cabin materials and coatings.
You can also use the well-known cleaning fluids Cif or Cilit Bang. Some improvised means will also help to cope with rust: table vinegar, a solution of citric acid, a mixture of an aqueous solution of ammonia and peroxide in a ratio of 2 to 1. They are applied to problem areas for a while and then washed off. If necessary, repeat the procedure.
P Helpful tip: do not leave metal objects in the cab, as they often cause rust due to oxidation due to moisture.
How to clean a shower stall when mold is detected?
Black fungus usually forms along the walls of the device on silicone sealant. You can try to remove it using special chemicals (Dr. Beckmann mold cleaner, Clorox Clean-Up bleach, Tilex Mildew mold remover, etc.). However, it is very difficult to completely remove the fungus and the most effective way would be to replace the affected sealant. To prevent mold formation, you must follow these tips:
- Ventilate the bathroom thoroughly and keep the cabin doors slightly open.
- Use sealant with a special anti-fungal coating.
- For preventive purposes, periodically treat the sealant with special sprays for shower cabins.
- If possible, install a heated floor system in the bathroom.
It is necessary to carefully treat the walls of the shower to get rid of fungus - Photo 07
General recommendations for shower cabin care
The problem “How to clean a shower stall?” You will not be disturbed if you follow these recommendations:
- After a shower, you need to thoroughly rinse all the internal surfaces of the cabin with water, and then wipe until dry with a soft cloth.
- Traces of toothpaste and other hygiene products on the walls should be wiped off immediately, preventing them from drying out.
- When the slightest plaque is detected, it is easier to remove it immediately than to deal with old drips and stains later.
- Every two weeks you need to wash all surfaces of the shower stall using specially designed products.
