How to Clean Glass Shower Doors (Soap Scum and Hard Water Spots)

Step by step

1. 1

   Rinse the glass with warm water

   Rinse the whole door, inside and out, with warm water from the shower head or a cup. That washes off loose grit before you start to scrub.

2. 2

   Wash off the soap scum

   Squeeze a few drops of dish soap onto a wet non-scratch sponge, and wash the glass from top to bottom with gentle circles. DreamLine says never to use abrasive cleaners, scouring agents, bristle brushes or abrasive sponges on its glass, because they may scratch it.

   What it looks like when it is working: the greasy, smeary film loosens and the sponge glides more easily. Some white spots may still be there, and that is fine.

3. 3

   Rinse and look again

   Rinse the soap off with warm water, then look closely at what is left. If the glass looks clear, skip to Step 6.

   What it looks like: any cloudiness left behind is usually chalky white spots that soap did not touch. That is the hard water layer.

4. 4

   Spray vinegar on the white spots

   Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, which is the mix Moen gives for water spots on its faucets. Spray the spotted glass only, and wipe any drips off the frame or handle right away.

   Let it sit until the spots start to soften, then wipe with the sponge. Spray again if they need a second round.

   What it looks like when it is working: the chalky spots soften and wipe away, and the glass turns clear under the sponge.

1. 5

   Rinse well

   Rinse the door well with plain water, inside and out, so no vinegar is left on the glass or frame. Then wipe the frame and handle dry with a cloth. DreamLine says if a harsh product touches the hardware by accident, rinse it as soon as possible to help prevent peeling or corrosion.

2. 6

   Squeegee it dry

   Pull a squeegee from top to bottom in overlapping strokes, and wipe the blade on a towel after each pass. Finish the edges and corners with a dry microfiber cloth.

   What it looks like when it worked: clear glass with no streaks and no white haze, even when the light hits it from the side.

Keep it clear: one habit after every shower

DreamLine’s own care advice is to rinse and wipe the glass with a soft cloth or a squeegee after each use. It says that prevents soap buildup and water spots.

Hang a squeegee on a hook inside the shower, so it is right there when you turn the water off.

When it will not work, and what to do instead

Sometimes the glass stays cloudy no matter what you do. Here is how to tell why.

• You heard a scouring pad scrubs better. It is easy to believe, since harder scrubbing seems like it should work faster. But DreamLine warns that bristle brushes and abrasive sponges may scratch the glass. A soft sponge and a second round of vinegar is the safer way.
• The haze is still there after vinegar. The glass may be etched. DreamLine says hard water can etch the surface of the glass over time if it is left to dry. Etching is a change in the glass itself, so cleaning may not bring it back. Drying the glass after each shower keeps it from getting worse.
• The tracks and the bottom seal have dark spots. Those are the wet spots that never dry, and the EPA says no mold grows without moisture. If mold covers more than about 10 square feet, the EPA points you to professional cleanup guidance. See Why shower mold keeps coming back.

Why it works

Cloudy shower glass is two problems stacked on top of each other. The U.S. Geological Survey explains that the calcium in hard water reacts with soap to make soap scum. It also says the spots and film hard water leaves on dishes and glassware are hard water residue, and the same thing dries on your door.

Dish soap handles the first layer. The American Cleaning Institute explains that its cleaning molecules have one end that grabs water and one end that grabs oil, so they lift the greasy film and rinse it away.

Vinegar handles the second layer. It is a mild acid, and a chemist writing in The Conversation explains that it dissolves mineral deposits like limescale on shower glass.

That is why the order matters. Think of washing a muddy car: you hose off the mud before you polish, or you just push the dirt around.