TOP 25 remedies to quickly clean the shower cabin at home
After installing a shower cabin in the bathroom, when cleaning, they often wonder how to wash off soap stains, rust stains, limescale marks on the walls, doors and other elements. Cleaning products must not only be effective, but also safe for the materials from which the cabin is made. A large assortment in economic departments makes it easy to find the most suitable ones.
Factors determining the level of contamination in plumbing
During operation, dust settles on the plumbing, plaque and stains from detergents accumulate, and water drops dry out leaving traces of salts and rust particles. The faster surfaces get dirty, the more regular and general cleaning you need to do.What determines how quickly the shower cubicle gets dirty?
Supply water quality
The hardness of the water that is delivered to homes differs from region to region. Water becomes hard as it seeps through lime and chalk deposits and becomes saturated with minerals.
Such water leaves traces in the form of plaque on the walls and the shower tray, scale in kettles and water heaters, clogs small holes on the shower head.
Water quality is also affected by the pipes through which it is supplied. If they are worn out, a rust-colored liquid with an unpleasant odor enters the apartment. Such water leaves yellowish marks on any surface it comes in contact with, especially white plumbing.
Available filters
The negative impact of poor water quality can be mitigated by installing filters. It is optimal to connect several filters to the inlet for coarse and fine cleaning.
Applied care products
Plumbing will get dirty faster if the wrong cleaning agents and tools are chosen. Abrasives and hard brushes damage the surface, leaving scratches, sometimes even invisible to the eye, in which visible dirt accumulates.
Prophylaxis
Preventative measures can help avoid many of the problems associated with shower stall contamination. For example, airing, airing, and drying walls after showering will help prevent the growth and development of mold that prefers excess moisture.
How to choose a cleaner for your shower enclosure
When choosing cleaning agents for a shower cabin, it is necessary to take into account the materials from which it is made. Different cleaners are suitable for different surfaces.Which material the product will clean most effectively and which can cause damage is indicated on the packaging or in the instructions.
Review of popular cleaning products
To get rid of soap stains, limescale, traces of rust, there are many cleaners, ranging from professional household chemicals to improvised means. There are gels and liquids with a narrow focus, to treat a specific type of pollution, you can also find universal ones.
Store funds
When buying cleaning products in the supermarket, you should give preference to liquid and gel consistency. These cleaners will not harm the surface, unlike abrasive powders, which can scratch the material of the shower enclosure. From the huge assortment of cleaning sprays, gels and liquids, you can choose a suitable product for a particular shower enclosure, focusing on composition, effectiveness, ease of use and cost.
coffee
In order to clean the shower cubicle from plaque and dirt, Cif is well suited. It is applied to the surface, they wait a bit, then wipe off with a sponge or soft cloth. No friction or effort required. The advantages of the product include a pleasant aroma, thorough and gentle cleansing, antibacterial and whitening effect. There are different types of Cif detergents on the market, which differ in packaging, smell and functionality. It is convenient, because you can choose exactly the one that is optimal for a particular case: "Antinalet", "Max effect" with a whitening effect or a universal gel.
"Mr Muscular"
A tool that can be used to clean not only the glass walls of a shower enclosure, but also stainless steel taps, tiles, toilets, sinks.The versatility of the cleaning agent allows you to save budget and storage space for household chemicals, because instead of several specialized cleaners, you can buy a universal bottle of "Mister Muscle". It is produced in the form of a spray or gel, which is equally resistant to soap scum, traces of exposure to water, rust, having an additional antibacterial effect. The product is applied to a horizontal surface, wait a bit, wipe it off with a sponge.
"Akrilan"
"Bugy Akrilan" is a product that effectively removes soap stains, limescale and deposits, stains on metal surfaces and mold. Spray it on a dirty surface, where it foams, leave it on for a few minutes, then wash it off. The aroma of the liquid is not pronounced.
Tilex
American shower cabin cleaner. After taking a shower, spray the walls of the shower cabin and close it, after which there will be no more drops of water, all surfaces sparkle and the smell is pleasant. A big plus of the liquid is that it does not need to be washed off, it saves a lot of time.
Folk remedies
There are many products that can help you clean your shower enclosure without using household chemicals. Calcium and magnesium salts, which form the basis of the plaque on the walls and the shower tray, easily dissolve under the influence of acids. This principle is based on the use of many improvised means available in the arsenal of housewives.
table vinegar
Vinegar for cleaning shower stalls is chosen for several reasons:
- Availablity. Vinegar is available in the kitchen of most housewives.
- Budgetary. The tool compares favorably with the cost of professional household chemicals.
- Hygiene.Destroys up to 90% of viruses and bacteria on the surface to be cleaned.
- Efficiency. Easily dissolves mineral salt deposits and also gives shine to chrome elements.
- Does not leave a matte film on the surface, which sometimes happens when using chemicals.
For treatment, it is convenient to fill a spray bottle with a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water, with which the solution is sprayed on the walls and the shower tray. After 15 minutes, rinse with clear water.
For heavy scale deposits, a more concentrated vinegar solution (one to one with water) and a longer exposure time will be required.
Problem areas are treated with a cloth moistened with plenty of solution, left for several hours, then washed well. If the part is unscrewed, you can remove it and completely soak it in a vinegar solution. Don't forget protective gloves - if acetic acid comes into contact with the skin, it is irritating.
lemon acid
Citric acid is similar in effect and method of application to acetic acid. Dissolve a sachet of food additives in a glass of warm or cold water and spray the liquid on the contaminated surfaces using a spray bottle. After a quarter of an hour, the product is washed off and wiped dry. If the plaque does not yield the first time, the treatment is repeated with an increase in concentration and exposure time. To increase efficiency, 20 grams of soda is added to a solution of citric acid and water.
Instead of powdered acid, you can use fresh lemon juice in the proportion of one lemon to half a glass of water. The solution is also treated with a spray bottle, or simply applied with a sponge dipped in it.Chrome parts can simply be wiped down with a lemon wedge to shine without rinsing.
Vodka or alcohol
The main benefit of alcohol is that it cleans but also disinfects. Ethyl alcohol and vodka, which contain it in their composition, do an excellent job with soap stains. To clean the shower cabin, a solution is prepared from 1 part alcohol and 2 parts water, dipped in the mixture with a towel, wipe the contaminated areas and wipe with a cloth.
The solution can be improved by adding additional ingredients:
- A spoonful of vinegar will make cleaning easier and mixing more effective.
- 30 ml of glycerin in the solution will help create a double-effect glossy film. First, the surface gets a nice shine. Second, the ultra-thin protective film repels soap and mineral salts, preventing plaque buildup.
Toothpaste or powder
Colored toothpaste cannot be used to clean white surfaces, it may stain acrylic. White paste or powder will perfectly remove limescale and rust without damaging the surface. The paste is smeared on the problem area with a sponge, if necessary, left for a while, then washed off. The powder is poured onto the surface, gently rub off the dirt with a damp cloth, then remove it with a sponge.
Ammonia
Ammonia will resist soap stains brilliantly in the truest sense of the word: after treatment, the surface will simply shine.
For cleaning, dilute a tablespoon of ammonia in a liter of cold water and wipe the surface with a cloth soaked in the solution.
To combat old pollution, vinegar and soda are added to the ammonia solution.It is necessary to put 4 tablespoons of ammonia, 1 tablespoon of soda and 1 tablespoon of vinegar in 2 liters of water, mix everything and treat problem areas with a solution. After ten minutes of exposure, the product is washed off.Ammonium has a very strong and pungent smell, it is necessary to work in a well-ventilated place, preferably with an open window.
Hydrogen peroxide
By treating the walls, the tray, the mixers with hydrogen peroxide, you can get rid of limescale. To do this, wipe the problem areas with a towel soaked in the product. The exposure time is determined by the degree of contamination, from a few minutes to several hours.
The combination of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can help remove blackheads from mold. The surface is moistened with water, cleaned with soda, washed and then treated with peroxide. The last remedy does not need to be washed off.
Daily care
If you take care of the shower enclosure after every shower, you won't have to deal with old limescale and soap scum. This is especially true for hard-water regions, whose dried drops are very difficult to wipe on the glass walls of the shower cubicle, to restore their transparency and shine. After taking a shower, you should thoroughly rinse the remaining soap, shampoo and shower gel from the walls of the shower stall, then wipe dry.
Tools required
To maintain your shower enclosure, you will need tools that will provide a high quality, gentle clean while saving time and effort. In order not to damage the surfaces, they do not use hard brushes, especially metal ones for cleaning, preferring soft brushes.
Soft, microfiber cloth
Solutions and mixtures are applied with a cloth to soften the deposits, a cloth soaked in the solution is left to act for some time. The same tool is used for the subsequent removal of detergents, wiping the walls and pallet, wiping dry surfaces with a dry cloth. The microfiber cloth perfectly removes the drops, which will prevent streaks of dirt when drying.
Spray
Used to spray cleaning products, including homemade ones, on walls, doors, pallets and in hard to reach places. Only suitable for liquid mixtures.
rubber scraper
It is convenient to use a rubber scraper to remove plaque from glass walls. Optimal because it does not scratch.
foam sponge
The sponge is used for applying cleaning products, wiping off dirt with the coarse side after exposure and rinsing off residue. The soft sponge will not damage the surface of the shower enclosure.
Toothbrush
Relatively soft bristles are suitable for rubbing small dirt, it is convenient for her to handle seams and joints. On large surfaces, the scouring of surfaces is laborious.
spring cleaning
Despite regular, daily maintenance, the shower enclosure needs a general cleaning every 7-10 days, during which each element is thoroughly cleaned, paying particular attention to joints and hard-to-reach places. If necessary, treatment is carried out against microbes, fungi and mold, as well as the prevention of their appearance.
Cleaning of walls and plastic elements
Rinsing the cabin from the inside every time after a shower can remove soap stains, but it won't save you from the appearance of dried drip marks.During general cleaning, the walls are washed with the help of cleaning products that contain substances that will help dissolve lime deposits. Fruit acids are effective in this regard.
Door washing
The cabin doors are cleaned from the inside and from the outside both in the open position and in the closed position. Depending on the materials from which they are made, an effective and safe product is chosen. Most often you can find glass, triplex and plastic doors.
Triplex and plastic
It is necessary to clean the elements made of these materials with a product that does not contain active acids, alkalis, alcohol and formaldehyde. A scouring powder with its abrasive particles will not work either. The best solution is to use an aerosol cleaner that can be sprayed even on vertical surfaces. After application, the product is washed off with a rubber scraper. If the dirt is strong, the cleaning is repeated, leaving the liquid detergent to dissolve the plaque for some time.
Glass
Many products are suitable for glass, since this material is completely not capricious. You can use any professional cleaner or remove plaque with vinegar and citric acid. It is recommended to wipe the glass doors at the very end of the general cleaning, so that the splashes from cleaning other elements do not remain on the already cleaned glass.
Cleaning of chrome elements
Most often, a faucet, a shower head, various accessories (for example, a hydromassage system), a faucet, brackets and shelves are made of chrome steel in shower cabins. After each shower, it is recommended rinse and dry with a soft cloth.During general cleaning, chrome elements are cleaned with special agents for metal and polished.
soap stains
To clean chrome parts, use only mild agents of liquid or gel consistency. Abrasives are strictly prohibited. The elements are washed with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth.
salt plate
It is important to quickly remove deposits of calcium and magnesium salts deposited on metal parts. If this is not done, lime scale not only impairs the appearance of chrome elements, but also reduces their service life. Cleaning must necessarily be gentle and gentle, on the basis of this, professional or folk remedies are chosen.
Plugged holes
Holes in a showerhead or whirlpool showerhead are especially prone to clogging in areas with hard water. They are cleaned with a vinegar solution. You can unscrew the element and place it in the solution as a whole, but if this is not possible, moisten it abundantly with a cloth and let it work. Effective hole cleaning with a sharp needle or toothpick.
How to wash the palette
In order to properly wash the pallet, it is necessary to take into account the material from which it is made. As a rule, pallets are made of earthenware, tiles, acrylic, cast iron, ceramics, enameled steel. When choosing a detergent and tools, it is important not only to ensure impeccable cleanliness, but also not to damage the surface.
Earthenware and tiles
For tiles and earthenware, there are many products that effectively remove limescale and rust particles. Choose the best size bottle with a convenient dispenser, suitable for price and quality.
"Santry"
"Santry" - universal bathroom and toilet cleaner in the form of a transparent, almost odorless gel. It can be used to clean earthenware, tiles and joints between tiles from soap and limescale deposits. It is convenient to use an old toothbrush to better scrub the seams. The tool is easy to apply thanks to the "spout" dispenser. It is left on the dirt for some time and then washed off.
Sanelit
"Sanelit" oxygen gel is a universal cleaner designed to clean bathtubs, sinks, toilets, tiles, mixers from rust, lime deposits and soap stains. It is a thick blue liquid without a strong chemical smell, which is definitely one of the advantages of the product. Another plus is that the gel acts on the surface gently without damaging it. For cleaning, it is necessary to evenly apply the agent to a surface previously moistened with water, and after 10-15 minutes wipe with a sponge and rinse with water.
Kiilto Clean Laattapesu
A Finnish acid detergent for cleaning ceramic tile surfaces, suitable for removing rust and calcium carbonate deposits from ceramic tile and sanitary ware surfaces.
Always wet the surface to be cleaned with water before applying the product. During normal cleaning Kiilto Clean Laattapesu is diluted with cold water: 25-50 ml of product for 5 liters of water in a plastic container. The agent is applied to the surface for 10-20 minutes, after which it is rinsed off with plenty of water. The use of a brush or a sponge improves and accelerates the effect of the product. Kiilto Clean Laattapesu can be used undiluted to remove stubborn rust or limescale.
H.G.
The Dutch manufacturer HG presents a whole range of professional care products for sale in 45 countries, including Russia.You can choose very targeted products for specific materials and tasks, there are also universal products, for example, "Universal bathroom and toilet cleaner", which is used to clean all surfaces in the bathroom and toilets, including chrome surfaces, stainless steel, ceramics, tiles, tiles, glass surfaces, plastic.
The purifier is used concentrated or diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10 (1 part product, 10 parts water). The product is applied with a sponge and left to act for several minutes, after which it is washed off the surface with plenty of water.
Mapei Keranet Liquido
Mapei Keranet Liquido is an acid cleaner for ceramic tiles. The basis of the product is a special organic acid which, in its effect on various stains and salt deposits, is analogous to highly concentrated acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acids, but, unlike them, does not emit toxic fumes . When used correctly, Mapei Keranet Liquido does not damage the joints between ceramic tiles, even if a colored grout has been used to fill them; on the contrary, this composition eliminates the salt deposits that sometimes form on the surface.
Keranet Liquido should be applied with a cloth or brush and left for 5 minutes, then cleaned with a brush or medium-hard abrasive sponge. After removing any sediment that forms, continue washing until all visible stains are gone. For more stubborn formations or stains, the operation must be repeated.
"Shining Tile"
A product designed to clean tiles will pleasantly surprise you with its cost.In consistency, it is more of a liquid than a gel, so it is convenient to apply it with a spray bottle. After applying to the contaminated area, the washing liquid is left to act for some time, old deposits are rubbed with a sponge, washed off with water.
Domestos
The tool not only helps with limescale and rust, but also disinfects the treated surface, killing viruses and microbes. The Domestos line includes products of different composition, consistency and use, which will allow you to choose the one that suits you best. Remember to put on rubber gloves before cleaning, apply the cleaner to the problem area, wait for it to dissolve the dirt, and rinse.
Acrylic
The acrylic tray should be washed very carefully. If the upper protective layer is damaged, the contamination will penetrate deeply unimpeded, and it will no longer be possible to remove it. Accordingly, abrasives and hard brushes are strictly contraindicated. There are many products for gentle but effective cleansing.
Star-Acrylate
Like any cleaning agent for cleaning, it is applied to the surface, left for 10-15 minutes, then washed off.
Sarma
Sanitary ware "Sarma" is not suitable for acrylic coatings, although they clean other surfaces from all types of dirt. The product does not contain chlorine, has a convenient dispenser and has an antibacterial effect.
Amway
Amway Bathroom Cleaner is a powerful concentrated product that removes soap scum and other deposits, especially limescale, quickly and effortlessly, without using harmful abrasive substances. To clean the surface, the agent is diluted and sprayed onto the contaminated areas using a special Amway spray gun, then wiped off with a damp sponge or cloth.
Acryl-Net
The product is suitable for bathtubs and trays made of acrylic, other synthetic surfaces, chrome, stainless steel. The gel effectively removes dirt, plaque, adds shine. Acryl-Net should be applied for 5 minutes, after which the surface is rinsed and left to dry.
eyelash bang
The active foam for baths and showers penetrates deeply and removes soap deposits and dirt, has an antibacterial effect. It is conveniently sprayed on the surface, where it is left for some time and washed off.
enamelled
Enamel steel pallets are unpretentious, you can choose for them various cleaning agents, including in powder form. They should be cleaned regularly as stubborn dirt is difficult to remove.
"Comet"
Available in the form of gel, spray, powder. It resists well to traces of rust, limestone, soap stains. It has an antibacterial effect.
"Pemolux"
Ideal for cleaning an enamel tray. Despite the fact that the soda in the composition slightly scratches the surface, the product will clean the surface well, especially not very new pallets.
Soda with citric acid
Soda and citric acid are mixed with water until a creamy consistency is obtained, after which they are applied to the surface of the enamel for 10 minutes, then washed off.
How to unclog a drain
Soap scum accumulates in the drain, hair, threads get into it, small objects can get stuck. All this leads to a blockage, which is eliminated on its own or call a specialist. It is best to call on the services of a plumber if the blockage is serious, especially due to a stuck solid object. You can clean the drain yourself in several ways:
- Disassemble the siphon, clean it thoroughly and wash it, put it back in place.
- Cleaning the drain with a plunger followed by a hot water flush.
- Industrial plumbing cable or cable made from scrap materials.
- Household chemicals. The agent is chosen sparingly, which will remove dirt, but will not damage plastic pipes.
It is better to clean the drain regularly, about once every two months, without waiting for a blockage. This will help maintain hygiene, prevent unpleasant odors from the drain hole and extend the life of the shower enclosure as a whole.
Remove limescale from the shower
To remove salt deposits in the shower, which form limescale, you can use one of the above professional or folk remedies, suitable for the surface of the components of the shower cabin. It is important to do this regularly, as old plaque is more difficult to remove than fresh plaque.
Fight mold and rust
The fight against mold and rust should be carried out regularly, not forgetting about preventive measures. Mold loves high humidity, so you should ventilate the cabin well and wipe down the interior surfaces each time after use. It is convenient to steam hard-to-reach places if you have a steam generator.
If it is not there, it is better to regularly iron all the seams and joints with an old toothbrush moistened with some antifungal compound.
A folk remedy helps well with mold, which includes 2 parts of vinegar, 2 parts of ammonia solution (ammonia), 1 part of soda. A mixture is prepared from the components, the areas where black spots of mold are visible are cleaned, and after some time they are washed off.
Traces of rust can be left on the walls and the sump by water flowing through rusty pipes, they often appear at the joints of the mixer or other metal parts, and also appear on the shelves from the bottom of various cleaning products. Traces of rust must be erased as soon as they are visually detected with a suitable means, remember to wipe the problem areas thoroughly with each general cleaning. As a preventive measure, it is recommended to wipe the metal elements and the location of their attachment after each shower.
If you take care of the shower enclosure in a timely and correct manner, it will last a long time and please the eye with its cleanliness and accuracy. Knowing which means are most effective, you can greatly facilitate its high-quality cleaning. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the shower cabin will allow you to spend a minimum of time and effort to achieve the maximum result.