Maintenance and Cleaning Tips for Shower Bases
A beautiful and functional shower enclosure is an essential part of a contemporary bathroom. With an elegant shower enclosure you can create the most fascinating atmosphere in your bathroom adding character and style. The perfect shower can offer spa-like experience bringing you so much pleasure and satisfaction. A sophisticated shower enclosure can easily become a focal point of your bathroom complementing its design and turning it into a truly magical place. However, shower bases will improve the design of your bathroom only if you maintain and clean them properly.
You will definitely agree that only a clean and sparkling shower enclosure can give a stunning effect and improve the way your bathroom looks and feels. No doubt, a dirty shower makes your bathroom messy and unattractive. The shower is used on a daily bases. Thus, it has to be cleaned regularly to be always beautiful and shiny. A shower base gets dirty very quickly, especially if it is used twice or even three times a day. If not maintained properly, shower bases can become a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. So, you should spend enough time to remove grime, soap scum, rust and hard water deposits from the surface of your shower base. Let’s dig deeper into maintenance and cleaning tips for shower bases. This will help you find out what steps you should take to keep the shower base impeccably clean and glossy.
Getting Ready for Cleaning Your Shower Base
If there is a window in your bathroom, do not forget to open it before you start cleaning the shower base. It will let some fresh air into the room making the process of cleaning more pleasant and safe. You should also turn on your bathroom fan to provide proper ventilation. It helps you remove stale air, odors and excess moisture. Without using the exhaust fan, bacteria, mold and mildew will thrive putting your health at risk and making your shower enclosure look awful indeed.
You should also remove the toiletries from the surface of your shower base. Remove a shower mat, if there is any. Make sure that there is no hair in the drain that can prevent the water from going down easily. Wear rubber gloves to protect your skin. If you use an aggressive cleaning agent, put on safety glasses as well. You may also need cleaning sponges, old toothbrush, store bought or homemade cleaning products. Once you are ready, you can get started.
Removing Soap Scum
Soap scum is a yellowish, grey or white build-up that accumulates on the surface of your shower base. It appears when soap reacts with such hard water minerals as magnesium and calcium. In fact, removing soap scum is not a tough task, if you know what cleaning solution to apply.
The combination of white vinegar and dish soap can remove soap scum effectively making your shower base crystal clear again. Pour 100 ml of vinegar into a spray bottle and add 100 ml of dishwashing liquid. Spray the solution on your shower base and let it work for 30 minutes approximately. After that, take a wet cloth and remove the mixture. Rinse the shower base with warm water and enjoy the result.
Getting Rid of Limescale
When hard water evaporates, limescale appears on the surface of your shower base. You can use harsh abrasives to remove it. However, these cleaning agents usually contain hazardous chemicals that can be dangerous to human health. Plus, they can seriously damage your shower base. So, using natural products for cleaning is a much better option.
In comparison with soap scum, limescale can be more difficult to remove. Using vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice can help you with that. Mix 100 ml of white vinegar with 30 ml of lemon juice. Add a cup of baking soda to the solution and make a paste. Spread the paste you have created all over the shower base. Let it sit for about an hour. Remove the paste with warm water and wipe the base with a soft sponge. You will be surprised to see how clean and shiny your shower base has become.
Removing Rust
Rust stains are a common bathroom problem. In most cases, the dissolved iron found in your water is to blame for rust build-up. If you notice rust on the surface of your shower base, you should remove it as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the situation can get even worse.
Some homeowners prefer using bleach to get rid of stains. But when it comes to removing rust stains, bleach can’t help. It can just make matters worse and even damage the surface of your shower base. Use white vinegar and lemon juice instead. Make a solution and pour in on the rusted area. Leave it for about two hours. Then take a soft sponge and rub the surface gently. Rinse the shower base thoroughly and wipe it with an old towel to see its amazing beauty again.
Things to Do to Keep Your Shower Base Clean for a Longer Period of Time
You can preserve the beauty of your shower base and keep it clean for a longer period of time if you follow some simple tips. Do not forget to rinse the shower base with warm water after each use. This action will not let the soap scum and dirt accumulate too quickly. Make sure that the base is always dry. Wipe your shower base with a clean cloth. It will prevent hard water stains and make the process of cleaning your base much easier in the future.
While taking a shower, keep your bathroom properly ventilated. It will significantly reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth. If you notice hair in the drain, remove it as quickly as possible to avoid clogged pipes. If you follow these quick and easy tips, cleaning your shower base will not be a problem. It will be enough to clean the base at least once a week.
A sophisticated shower enclosure is a centerpiece of your bathroom. It always attracts the attention and makes a statement. Keep all components of your shower enclosure always clean to create a safe, inviting and relaxing environment.
How to clean a shower properly – 8 ways to remove limescale and water stains
