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There’s nothing like an invigorating shower to start or end your day. It’s soothing and refreshing, and shower acoustics are perfect for belting out your favourite tunes.
That said, showers are breeding grounds for germs, fungus and mildew, not to mention bacteria and soap scum. In fact, in a study conducted by Safe Home, shower curtains were found to harbour 60 times more microbial life than toilet seats.
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To keep your shower as clean as possible, here are a few handy tips to keep it germ-free and have you back to singing in the shower in no time.
What you need to clean a shower
When it comes time to clean your shower, there are a few tools that will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently. Start with:
- Cleaning gloves: Just like when you’re cleaning a toilet, a pair of gloves is a must to protect your skin from harsh chemicals. Walmart has a wide variety of gloves to suit every hand size and protect them from coming into contact with tough cleaning products.
- A squeegee: For any shower you need a good squeegee — preferably one with a suction wall mount that can be used immediately after every shower.
- Microfiber cloths: Microfiber cloths absorb moisture quickly and leave a spotless surface without causing scratches. They’re also an environmentally-friendly alternative to single-use paper products.
- Cleaning agents: The choice is up to you between a natural cleaner, a more powerful antibacterial spray or good old-fashioned vinegar and baking soda. Other natural products include equal combinations of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of laundry detergent.
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How to perfectly clean a shower
Regardless of the type of shower you have, the following steps will leave your bathroom sparkling clean:
Start with a spray: After removing all shower accessories and bottles from the area, give the entire shower surround a thorough spray. My go-to is Clorox, but a DIY solution works just as well. Depending on the type of shower that you have (glass, tile, stone, fiberglass), cleaning agents may vary, so always check the labels.
If you have plastic shower curtains, use a bleach-based cleaning product and spray into every crevice before using a cloth to wipe. It should be noted that any acid-based products, like vinegar, should not be used on natural stone surfaces as these products may damage the surface. For these materials, use a milder liquid cleaner diluted in water.
Let sit, then scrub: Allow the cleaning agents to sit for several minutes, then use a soft sponge to wipe down the shower surfaces. For grout or tougher stains, use a grout brush for a deeper clean. An old toothbrush or small nail brush will also do the trick.
Rinse then wipe dry: Finish cleaning by using your hand-held shower nozzle (if you have one) to rinse off the soapy residue. If you don’t have a hand-held, fill a bucket with water and use a sponge to keep removing the soap until the water runs clear. Use a squeegee to remove excess water, or absorbent microfiber towels to dry thoroughly.
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Don’t forget the shower head: White vinegar’s the hero to help unclog the shower head’s holes. Pour about a cup into a large sandwich bag and place the shower head into it, securing it with an elastic band or cord. Let it soak for a minimum of six hours or overnight. Remove the bag, then use a small brush to help remove any leftover mineral deposit and dry thoroughly.
For glass shower doors: Consider a glass cleaner like Windex (or any similar product), which cuts any greasy residue from both inside and outside the glass. I prefer foam over the liquid, so I can see where I missed some marks, and foam tends to cling to the surface longer so you do a more thorough job.
Let the shower dry naturally: Keep shower doors and curtains open, allowing fresh air from any open window to flow in and dry naturally.
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