How To Clean Fiberglass Shower Floor

Let’s be honest – scrubbing the shower is probably one of the least glamorous cleaning tasks on the to-do list. I mean, who actually looks forward to getting down on their hands and knees to scrub away grime and mildew? Not me!

But keeping your shower clean is important for your health and maintaining your bathroom. When soap scum, hard water stains, and dirt start building up, it can make your shower look dingy and feel downright nasty underfoot.

If you have a fiberglass shower floor or pan, cleaning it properly takes some specific techniques, tools and a little elbow grease. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps for thoroughly cleaning a fiberglass shower floor. We’ll cover how to remove built-up dirt and stains, prevent mold and mildew growth, and make your fiberglass shower floor shine. Let’s get started!

How Do you Clean a Fiberglass Shower Floor

Assess the Condition

Before cleaning, take a close look at the condition of your fiberglass shower floor. Check for any stains, dirt buildup, soap scum, mold, or mildew. Pay special attention to the grout lines, corners, and textured surfaces where grime tends to accumulate.

Identify any particularly stubborn stains or deposits. You may need to use more intensive cleaning methods or solutions to remove them.

Also, note the location of any cracks, chips, or other damage on the surface. Avoid applying too much pressure or abrasive cleaners on damaged areas.

Gather the Right Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning a fiberglass shower floor requires just a few key supplies:

Mild liquid dish soap – For an all-purpose fiberglass shower floor cleaner, basic dish soap works great. Look for a fragrance-free, dye-free soap.
Scrub brush or sponge – Use a soft-bristle scrub brush or abrasive sponge to help lift dirt and grime as you clean.
Old toothbrush – For scrubbing in grout lines and textured areas, an old toothbrush is perfect.
Microfiber cloths – Microfiber cloths grab and remove dirt without leaving behind lint.
Bucket – Use a bucket to mix up your cleaning solution.
Rubber gloves – Wear gloves to protect your hands from harsh cleaners.
Kneepads – Kneepads make scrubbing the shower floor easier on your knees.
Vinegar – For extra grime-cutting power, white vinegar helps remove soap scum and hard water stains.
Baking soda – Mix baking soda with vinegar for an effective cleaning paste, or use it alone as a gentle abrasive scrub.

Hydrogen peroxide – To remove mold and mildew, hydrogen peroxide is an effective and non-toxic solution.
Grout brush – A specialized grout brush helps scrub into grout lines to remove grime.
Spray bottle – Use a spray bottle to apply homemade cleaning solutions to the surface.

Scrub pad – For stubborn stains, a scrub pad made of nylon or melamine provides extra abrasion.
Straight edge scraper – A plastic scraper can help lift off-scale deposits and stuck-on gunk.
Squeegee – After cleaning, use a squeegee to remove all excess water.

Mix a Simple Cleaning Solution

One of the easiest cleaning solutions for a fiberglass shower floor is a mixture of dish soap, vinegar, and water. Here’s how to mix it up:

Add 1-2 tbsp of liquid dish soap to your bucket. Look for a basic soap free of dyes, perfumes, or moisturizers.
Pour in 1 cup of white vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits, soap scum, and grime.

Fill the bucket with warm water. The warm water amplifies the cleaning power of the solution.
Give the solution a quick stir to mix everything together. You’re ready to start scrubbing!

For extra scrubbing power, substitute baking soda for the vinegar in this solution. Or, mix up a paste of 1 part baking soda with 1 part water and apply directly to stained or soiled areas.

You can also make a concentrated cleaning solution by mixing 1 part vinegar with two parts dish soap in a spray bottle. Spritz this on heavily soiled areas of the shower floor before scrubbing. The concentrated mix clings to vertical surfaces better than a bucket mix.

Scrub the Entire Surface

Now comes the elbow grease! With your cleaning solution ready, it’s time to thoroughly scrub down the fiberglass.

Get in the shower and wet down the entire fiberglass surface with warm water. This helps lift dirt and prevents the floor from drying out as you clean.

Apply your cleaning solution liberally over the wet floor. Use about 1-2 cups total to cover the entire surface.
Let it sit for 2-3 minutes. This dwelling time lets the cleaning agents start breaking down grime.
Scrub every inch of the floor. Get into the grout lines, corners, and textured areas. Use your scrub brush, sponge, or toothbrush to agitate the cleaner.

As you scrub, wipe away excess dirt and grime with your microfiber cloth. Frequently rinse out the cloth to keep it clean.
Apply more cleaning solution to soiled areas and keep scrubbing until the floor appears clean. Target any remaining stains or deposits.
Once you’ve scrubbed the entire surface, rinse thoroughly with warm water. Be sure to remove all soap residue.

Focus your scrubbing efforts on the tough-to-reach areas first: corners, grout lines, textured surfaces, and areas around the drain. These collect the most gunk. Scrub in a circular motion to help lift embedded grime and soils.

Change out the rinse water frequently to not just move dirt around. Dirty rinse water defeats the purpose!

Use Baking Soda to Whiten Grout

For dingy, discolored grout lines, baking soda helps whiten and brighten them up. Here’s how:

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Mix three parts baking soda to 1 part water.
Apply the thick paste directly to the grout lines using your toothbrush or a small grout brush.

Let it sit for 5 minutes to work on the grout.
Scrub to lift dirt from the grout. The abrasive baking soda scours the grout surface.
Rinse thoroughly when finished cleaning. Repeat if needed for extra-dirty grout.

The mild abrasiveness of baking soda whitens grout without harsh chemicals. With a little scrubbing, you’ll be amazed at the transformation!

For really dirty or moldy grout, let the baking soda paste sit for up to 20 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. This extended dwell time allows the baking soda to penetrate deeper into the grout to lift out discoloration. Just be careful not to let the paste dry out. Mist with water if needed to keep it moist.

Remove Stubborn Stains

Even with thorough scrubbing, some stains and deposits may linger on your fiberglass shower floor. To remove them, use targeted stain-fighting ingredients.

For rust stains, make a paste with cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the stain and let sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing. The oxalic acid in cream of tartar dissolves rust stains.

Mix up a calcium, lime, and rust remover solution to dissolve mineral deposits and hard water stains. Spray on and let dwell for 5 minutes before scrubbing. Look for a product that contains glycolic or other mild acids that dissolve mineral buildup.

For mold and mildew stains, spray straight 3% hydrogen peroxide on the affected area. Let sit for 10 minutes before wiping away. The peroxide will fizz and bubble on the mold, helping to lift it. Repeat if needed.

Oil-based stains like soap scum and body oil require a degreasing solvent like rubbing alcohol to break down before cleaning. Let the alcohol soak for a few minutes before scrubbing.

With a little trial and error using the right stain removers, you can erase those stubborn spots for good!

Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth

Mold and mildew love the warm, wet environment of a shower. To prevent growth and stains on your fiberglass shower floor:

Squeege or wipe down the floor after each use to remove excess moisture. This quick habit prevents water pooling and moisture buildup.

Leave the shower door open after use so air can circulate and dry out the shower. Allow at least 20-30 minutes of drying time.
Spray down the floor and walls with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar solution weekly. These solutions sanitize and inhibit mold growth.
Scrub away any soap scum buildup regularly. Soap scum provides food for mold and mildew.

Keep your bathroom well-ventilated using an exhaust fan or open window. Running the fan for about 30 minutes after showering removes lingering moisture.
Remove any bath mats, curtains, or accessories that hold moisture. These provide a perfect breeding ground for mildew.
Check and replace caulk around the shower as needed. Cracked caulk allows moisture seepage under the fiberglass.

With vigilance about wiping away moisture and cleaning soap scum, you can stop mold and mildew in their tracks!

Rinse and Dry Completely

The final step is just as important as cleaning – a thorough rinse and dry.

After scrubbing the fiberglass floor, rinse away all cleaning solutions with warm water. Give every area of the floor a good rinse to prevent residue buildup or stains, especially in textured areas.

Once rinsed, wipe down the entire surface with a dry microfiber cloth or squeegee to remove all moisture. Take extra care to dry corners, seams, and the shower door tracks.

Finally, turn on the bathroom ventilation fan and leave the shower door open to allow the shower to completely air dry. Aim a fan directly into the shower if possible. Allow 60-90 minutes of drying time.

The drier the shower, the less chance for moisture damage, mineral spots, and mold growth!

Maintain With Quick Cleanings

To keep your fiberglass shower floor clean long-term:

Do a quick 5-minute wipe down after every use to remove soap scum and water deposits before they build up. Focus on tracks, corners, and the shower door.
Squeegee the walls and floor after showering – this simple habit prevents mineral spots. Squeege in overlapping rows.
Spray down the shower walls and floor with a DIY vinegar cleaning solution weekly. Let sit briefly before rinsing.

Scrub the floors thoroughly once a month using the deep cleaning method outlined above. Mark your calendar to remember.
Check grout lines and caulk seals regularly. Re-apply caulk if cracked or peeling to prevent moisture from seeping underneath the fiberglass.
Address any cracks, chips, or damage to the fiberglass as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Temporary repairs can prevent cracking or lifting.

Consider applying a fiberglass sealant 1-2 times per year. Sealants protect the surface and make cleaning easier.

With regular light cleaning sessions and monthly deep cleans, you can keep your fiberglass shower floor like new for years to come!

Know When To Call A Professional

While DIY cleaning can keep your fiberglass shower floor sparkling most of the time, occasionally, you may need to call in the pros.

Seeking professional help is a good idea if:

You have persistent mold or mildew that keeps returning after cleaning. A professional can treat and remove it completely. They have tools to reach into crevices you may miss.

The fiberglass floor is severely stained, scratched, or etched. A pro may be able to buff out damage and stains beyond a DIY clean. They have specialized buffing and polishing equipment.
Re-caulking is needed around the perimeter. Removing old caulk and properly sealing the fiberglass requires some skill. Professionals have the proper caulking tools and materials.
There are cracks, chips, soft spots, or holes in the fiberglass. A pro can advise if repairs or full fiberglass replacement is needed. They can identify underlying issues.

The texture has worn smooth in some areas. Pro-grade resurfacing kits can restore grip. A professional can apply coating evenly.
You want to change the color of your fiberglass surround. Professionals can apply gel coat tinting for a whole new look!

Don’t hesitate to call a professional shower cleaning or restoration service if DIY efforts aren’t getting your fiberglass floor fully clean. With the right tools and expertise, they can work wonders!