Glass shower doors can become cloudy and stained over time as they accumulate soap scum, body oils, and other residues. All-purpose cleaners don’t always give you the desired results, but does that mean you should reach for a typical glass cleaner? And if so, what’s the best way to use it?
Use ammonia-free glass cleaner on shower doors to avoid damaging metal parts and rubber sealants. If there’s heavy soap scum or mildew buildup, use a glass stripper to break down and remove the buildup before using the cleaner.
Let’s look at which glass cleaners you can use glass cleaners on shower doors and which ones can cause damage. We’ll also take a closer look at the process of cleaning shower doors effectively.
Can You Use Glass Cleaner on Shower Doors?
Yes, you can use glass cleaner on shower doors. However, if you choose to do this, it’s important to remember that there are specific cleaners for different surfaces.
There are ammonia-based glass cleaners (such as Windex), and while they may work on the glass part of shower doors, they can harm the metal parts of your shower, such as the frame, handles, hinges, and track. It’s therefore best to avoid using these products on your shower doors.
The best glass cleaners to use are those that are ammonia-free and contain ingredients that are safe to use on metal. Most glass cleaners have a surfactant or detergent, which helps dissolve and remove dirt, soap scum, and oils from the surface of your shower doors.
Look for a cleaner specifically made for shower doors or automobiles because they’ll certainly be safe to use.
Will Glass Cleaner Damage Shower Doors?
Glass cleaner shouldn’t damage shower doors as long as you use it correctly. However, as mentioned above, be careful about the cleaners you choose to use because those that contain ammonia can discolor and corrode the metal parts of your shower.
You should also avoid using abrasive cleaners like bleach or scouring pads. These can scratch the glass of your shower doors, making them look dull and cloudy.
What Are the Best Glass Cleaners to Use on Shower Glass?
The best glass cleaners to use on shower doors are those designed specifically for this purpose. These will be safe to use on metal tile, but also effective at removing dirt and soap scum from your shower doors.
Here are some of the best glass cleaners to use on shower glass:
Clean Shower Daily Shower Cleaner
Clean Shower Daily Shower Cleaner (on Amazon) is intended for daily use, as its name suggests. The no-rinse formula means it doesn’t need to be rinsed off or wiped away after application.
It prevents water spots, soap scum, limescale buildup, and other debris from collecting between bathroom cleanings. The fact that it’s ammonia-free makes it safe for bathtubs, tile walls, and fixtures.
Clean Shower is best for daily maintenance and light cleaning, but it doesn’t work well on long-standing dirt or tough stains caused by hard water residue. So, you’ll need something more powerful for deep cleaning.
HOPE’S Perfect Glass Cleaner
HOPE’s Perfect Glass Cleaner (on Amazon) is an ammonia-free formula specifically designed to clean glass surfaces without leaving behind residue or a haze.
This multi-purpose cleaner removes water spots, fingerprints, smudges, and grease from windows and mirrors. No rinsing is required. Spray on and wipe off with a clean cloth.
However, this product is not tough enough to address mold or mildew, so you’ll need a more aggressive product for deep cleaning.
Invisible Glass Cleaner
Invisible Glass Cleaner (on Amazon) is ammonia-free and safe on all surfaces, including glass and metal. It doesn’t contain any scent, detergent, or dye, so it won’t leave behind residue or hazing to buff away.
This product is tough enough to remove minor hard water spots, leaving the glass shiny and streak-free. The fine-mist foam sprays on evenly, doesn’t drip, and is fast acting. It doesn’t require rinsing, so you can spray and wipe it off with a lint-free cloth.
One downside that some customers have reported is that the aerosol propellant runs out faster than expected, leaving unused product in the canister. And, while the product doesn’t contain added scent, the chemical smell can be off-putting.
Kaboom Foam-Tastic Bathroom Cleaner
Kaboom Foam-Tastic (on Amazon) is an aerosol spray that works on contact to dissolve soap scum and hard water stains. It sprays blue so you can see exactly where you’ve treated it and turns white once it’s time to wipe away the dirt and grime.
The thick formula makes it cling to surfaces longer, giving it more time to break down dirt and grime.
Kaboom Foam-Tastic is a powerful cleaner that can help you deep clean soap scum, hard water, and calcium and lime stains, leaving no residue. Wear gloves to protect your hands and use it in a well-ventilated area as it has a strong scent.
Better Life Natural Streak Free Glass Cleaner
Better Life’s Natural Glass Cleaner (on Amazon) is a plant-derived cleaning solution that can remove fingerprints, greasy smudges, water spots, and dirt from glass surfaces. Just spray it on the glass surface and wipe it clean.
This glass cleaner is free of dyes, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, and its packaging is recyclable and biodegradable. Better Life’s Natural is an excellent choice if you want an environmentally friendly option that works well and is safe around children and pets.
One downside is that it’s not as powerful as some of the other products mentioned here, so you may need to use more elbow grease to remove tough stains and get a streak-free shine.
How to Clean Shower Doors Using Glass Cleaner
If your shower door has buildup from soap scum and hard water stains, you’ll need to use a more robust cleaner to strip away the grime. Doing this will make routine cleaning with an everyday cleaner much easier.
Glass strippers like Invisible Glass (on Amazon) break down and dissolve tough grease, grime, and mineral deposits that bond to glass surfaces.
To use a glass stripper, apply it to the shower door with a sponge by rubbing in circular motions until you’ve covered the surface.
The stripper contains mild abrasives and solvents that will break down the grime, so use gentle pressure, then rinse away the stripper with warm water and wipe it down with a clean cloth.
Once you’ve removed the buildup from your shower door, use your choice of glass cleaner for added shine and regular cleaning to keep your shower door clean and streak-free longer.