The shower cabin has become a must in any modern bathroom and is very convenient because it absorbs all direct contact with water. It has many modes for comfortable bathing and can fit even in a very compact bathroom. However, the hygiene issue remains, and now we will learn more about its cleaning and preservation of the original shine even after years.
How to protect the shower cabin from pollution
There are several requirements, compliance with which will significantly facilitate the maintenance and will prevent the accumulation of contaminants and chlorine deposits:
Ventilation: Regular ventilation will allow excess moisture to go out of the room, so no mould and odours will form. That will also help slow down the process;
Rinsing of foam and soap stains after use: in order not to have to use detergents often and to waste time in cleaning, rinse with the removable shower from the inside, completely removing the soap residue;
Thorough washing: you need to clean and wash at least twice a week to remove even small leaks, and your shower cabin shines.
Cleaning of glass coating and frosted glass
The anti-drip film and the matte texture have a poor relationship with the mop of the steam cleaner, aggressive detergents and hard rubber coatings. The matte film also has increased sensitivity to touch. Any contact with liquid or solid substances prints on the milky white layer achieved with a special paste – even fingerprints and dried water drops look like oil stains.
Distilled water is highly effective for cleaning these two surfaces. Its soft touch removes dirt while preserving the film (matte or anti-drip) on the surfaces without leaving stains (its consistency does not contain lime). The recommended fabric is microfibre or velvet suede, and the cleaning principle excludes strong friction.
Degreaser is the best friend for frosted glass partitions, but only if it does not contain aggressive chemicals. Otherwise, homemade recipes are used even for the dissolution of layered stains and construction mixtures. Organic vinegar, chalk, and detergent diluted with water replace acids and abrasive particles. The main recommendation of the specialists for the maintenance of each type of glass: dry after each wetting!
Glazed cladding, gutters and joints
The aesthetic vision of the cabin is endangered by staining the glass. But insufficient regular maintenance of other details is a risk to hygiene after developing pathogenic microorganisms. The usual construction is “framed” by thin metal profiles with stainless steel coating (often chrome).
Despite the anti-corrosion coating, regular drying, rust application, and scale protection, it is the right way to maintain. The drive elements (roller, gutters) require the utmost care when cleaning, and their drying should be noticed.
The central concentrator of dirt is the joints of the tiles if the shower tray is covered with this type of flooring. As with any cladding, treatment with a suitable solution easily removes stains and splashes, but the joints “remember” any missed wash.
Hot water before cleaning is a suitable means of dissolving hardened dirt, but regular attention is the safest way of hygiene. Drying after washing is mandatory for some claddings where the penetration of water swells and irreversibly damages the tiles.
Glazed ceramics, granite or terracotta tiles with a smooth texture are the easiest to maintain. All dirt and dust particles concentrate on the surface glaze, from where we wash with a mop, steam cleaner, and a suitable solution – preferably non-abrasive, as scratches on the enamel can quickly become a “warehouse” for bacteria.
Cleaning agents
There are two methods:
Chemical – the remarkable thing here is that you need to pay attention to the composition and avoid products containing alcohol, acetone or ammonia when choosing. These ingredients make part of the construction unusable, primarily if you use a cheap plastic model. In most cases, they are available in the form of pastes, creams and liquids;
Mechanical – consists of brushes, sponges and the like to remove aggressive stains. For this situation, we do not recommend that you handle extremely hard and rough accessories that will likely ruin the appearance.
But let’s find out what causes the pollution
First of all, this is low-quality water containing limestone and other impurities. After each bath, shampoo, and soap, foam forms and remains on the floor and walls. When we use it, hair and other small particles fall out of us, such as epithelium, and if they are not removed in time, unpleasant odours appear, and the aesthetic appearance is spoiled.
Why drops on the glass are a problem
Water is the leading “supplier” of limestone. Thus, the inevitable splashes on the glass part of the cabin are coloured white and look like spots. Bathroom equipment manufacturers apply a special anti-drip coating that repels dust and limescale. However, this does not mean that cleaning is unnecessary – transparency without staining is observed only for a certain period. After its expiration, the sticky layer of dust and the effect of the water jet are evident.
Ordinary tempered glass is treated as a double-glazed window. The steam cleaner also helps with speed and quality washing. Clean water or glass cleaner – the choice is determined by the type of hygienic procedure. Daily cleaning and cleaning dried dirt and building materials require a different approach.
It is good to clean the shower cabin with a detergent with an anti-lime effect with frequent bathing. An ordinary glass cleaner does an excellent job if the glass is not very dirty.
An anti-scale agent in the form of a spray is another option. After spraying:
- wait for a few minutes
- go with an old sponge so as not to scratch the glass
- rinse with a shower and dry with a microfibre cloth.
Finally, if you like, you can spray with glass cleaner and wipe with a clean and dry cloth.
The best way to keep the cabin clean is to rinse it with water after each shower and avoid the formation of persistent deposits. Then the delicate detergents will only work from time to time and will certainly have to clean the shower cabin more efficiently.
For the bathroom to be a safer place for the whole family, everyone should maintain its cleanliness.
To give shine to the shower cabin, occasionally spray it with a solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 50/50.