How to Clean Shower Screens (5 Simple Steps)

Foggy shower screens and streaky glass panels suck. They dull the whole bathroom vibe. You’d think that something that gets rinsed out daily would stay clean, right? Unfortunately, with hard water buildup, soapy residue, and occasional splashes of shampoo, things can go downhill fast.

The good news? You don’t need harsh store-bought cleaners or hours of scrubbing to restore that satisfying clarity. With a few simple tricks and some Aussie know-how, you can make your shower screen crisp again without chemical nasties.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Sparkling Shower Glass

I manage my parents’ properties and here’s a simple cleaning routine that’s never failed me for hundreds of tenant bathrooms. 

Ingredients list:

• Water (1 cup)
• White vinegar (1 cup)
• 600mL Spray bottle or larger (Avoid reusing old cleaning product bottles. Residual chemicals like bleach can react dangerously with vinegar, potentially causing toxic fumes).
• Baking soda (prepare a few tablespoons, but have teaspoons available as that’s that’s how much we’ll be using each time).
• A soft sponge or cloth
• An old toothbrush
• Squeegee or microfibre towel
• Lemon juice of 1 lemon
  
  

Step 1: Pre-rinse and prep

Give the shower glass a quick rinse with warm water. This loosens up any freshly accrued grime and sets the stage.

Step 2: DIY spray time

Fill your spray bottle with:

• 250 ml white vinegar
  
• 250 ml water
  
• 20–30 ml fresh lemon juice (roughly half to one medium lemon).
  
  

 Vinegar, water, and lemon juice don’t stay mixed unless you give it a solid shake. So always be shaking it before each use. Spray generously over the glass and into hard-to-reach corners where grime tends to be.

 

Let the vinegar and lemon mix sit for 3 to 5 minutes. This gives the acids time to:

• Loosen soap scum
• Break down hard water buildup on glass
• And soften grime, making the soft-scrubbing in the next step easier and better.

Step 3: Blitz it up with some baking soda

Now here’s the best part. Sprinkle 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda directly onto a damp sponge or cloth. You don’t need much effort here. Use circular and gentle motions to scrub.

Baking soda is gritty enough to clean, but soft enough to not scratch. When it mixes moisture, it turns into more of a paste. This buffers the mild abrasiveness, meaning it’ll still do the job without damaging the glass.

 For tight corners, get the spray in there and use the toothbrush to clean limescale from the crevices. Apply a wee bit more force if you need to get the yucky stuff out.

Step 4: Rinse and wipe

Rinse with warm water. Then use a squeegee or a dry microfiber towel to wipe everything down. Removing that excess water is key for that streak-free shine.

Step 5: Optional polish

Do a final wipe for stubborn spots with a vinegar-soaked cloth, then buff with a dry microfiber towel.

Budget vs Premium Product Options

If you're watching your wallet, you’ll be stoked to know that some of the best tools are probably already in your pantry. White vinegar and baking soda are the best duo for soap scum and hard watermarks. That splash of lemon juice is your degreasing power and freshener in one.

But if you have skin or breathing sensitivities or just prefer something that’s made ready, premium options are out there too. Organic, or plant-based ingredients. Made specifically for glass maintenance. Minus the DIY mixing. These are what you’ll want to look for.

FAQ Section

How often do I clean my shower glass?

Once a week is ideal for a standard household. But if you’ve got a busy family all sharing the same bathroom, every 2 to 3 days will keep buildup in check. I’ve found asking all the kids around the house to do a quick squeegee after each of their showers helps a ton!

Do I need a special cleaner for shower glass?

Not necessarily. This homemade solution using vinegar and baking soda goes the distance for most day-to-day cleaning. It’s also much healthier than traditional grocery store cleaning products.

What’s the best natural product to use?

White vinegar wins every day of the week. It’s cheap, does well versus soap scum, and is perfect for hard water buildup on glass. 

But if you’d rather skip the DIY, there are natural cleaning products Australia offers that are made for bathroom glass. Many are plant-based, non-toxic, and leave a streak-free finish. Just be sure to check the label for any harmful ingredients. More on eco-friendly cleaning products here →

Does regular glass cleaner work on shower screens?

It can help with basic shine on windows for example. But when it comes to heavier stuff like limescale or soap scum it’ll struggle - unless it’s made for bathrooms.

Can I prevent soap scum and limescale from coming back?

Yes, as long as you can maintain the habit of regularly squeegeeing after showers. A vinegar spray-down once a week will also help a lot with this.

Conclusion

You can easily keep shower glass sparkling without breaking the bank or hurting your lungs using these methods. The key is consistency and knowing what actually works. Give these tips a try and see what happens!

If other areas of your home are due for a cleanup, check out my guide on how to clean your range hood filters → simple steps there too, to keep your kitchen fresh.