With the right tools and proper maintenance, you can keep your shower screen looking as good as new. Like so many other household chores, the secret to making the job easy is in doing it regularly.

Removing Soap Scum

The thing that makes shower screens so much more difficult to keep sparkling clean than windows is the build up of lime deposits from soaps and shampoos and mineral deposits from shower water. These resist cleaning with most household cleansers, but can be easily removed using a mixture of common white vinegar and plain water in equal parts. Here's how to do it:

1. Start by making your 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water. Pour it into an all-purpose plastic spray bottle.
   
2. Use a non-abrasive cloth to apply your solution. A chamoise or sponge is fine. Just be sure that it is is completely clean and free of abrasive particles or soap residue.
   
3. Take everything out of your shower, including the shower mat. While you're cleaning the shower screen, you can also use the same solution to clean the walls and shower fixtures.
   
4. Fill a clean bucket with fresh, warm water and put it just outside the shower enclosure.
   
5. Thoroughly rise the shower interior, removing as much soap residue as you can.
   
6. Apply the cleaning solution directly to the areas you want to clean, one section at a time and wipe it down with your cleaning cloth. You will find that your vinegar and water solution removes soap and mineral deposits easily and thoroughly.
   
7. Rinse your cleaning cloth regularly, to remove accumulated residues and any abrasive particles it may have picked up.
   
8. For best results, rinse the shower screen with plain water when you're finished and dry using a rubber squeegee or soft, dry cloth.

If you clean your shower screen in this way once every two weeks, you'll find the whole process takes only a matter of minutes. If deposits have been left to build up over a period of months, you may find that you have to repeat the process once or twice in order to remove all of the film.

All shower screens are made of toughened glass, but not all of them are alike. Some of the better shower screens on the market have a special coating on the glass that repels water and other materials. While a thin build-up of mineral deposits may occur, it can be removed effortlessly using your vinegar and water solution or an approved commercial product designed specifically for cleaning shower screens. This type of treated glass is especially recommended if you are installing a clear glass, frameless shower screen and want it to remain crystal clear with minimal maintenance.

Find a shower screen installer near you.