There’s nothing I enjoy more than a nice, hot shower at the end of a long day. It’s refreshing and relaxing. But have you ever noticed how dirty your shower floor can get over time? All that grime, soap scum and mildew can really make your shower look gross and feel downright nasty on your feet. While scrubbing the shower floor may seem like a chore, it’s totally worth it to have that fresh, clean feeling again.
Don’t worry; this article has some simple tips to get your shower floor sparkling in no time. With just a little bit of elbow grease and the right cleaning solutions, you’ll be shocked at the transformation. Let’s get this shower floor squeaky clean!
How To Sparkle Clean Your Shower
Assess the Mess
Before cleaning, take a good look at the condition of your shower floor to determine what needs to be done. Check for dirt, grime, soap scum, mold, and mildew buildup. Pay close attention to the grout lines where grime loves to collect.
Also, note any particularly stubborn spots or stains. Assessing the mess will help you figure out which methods and cleaning solutions to use. If the grime buildup is light overall, a simple sweeping and mopping may do the trick. For heavier buildup, you may need to use scrub brushes, a grout brush, and more powerful cleaners.
Remove Items and Prepare the Space
Start by clearing out all items from the shower floor. Remove any bath mats, toys, or other objects. Check lower shelves built into the shower walls and remove bottles, razors, and any other bath items. This allows full access to the shower floor for cleaning.
Next, do a preliminary dry sweep. Use a broom or dry cloth to remove any loose hairs, dirt, or debris on the shower floor. This prevents anything from being swept down the drain accidentally while cleaning.
If needed, lay down old towels around the edges of the shower entrance to soak up excess water and prevent it from spilling onto the bathroom floor.
Finally, ventilate the space by turning on any fans or opening windows. Proper ventilation is important when using many cleaning products.
Give It a Good Scrub
Now comes the deep cleaning step. There are a few options for an effective scrubbing of the shower floor:
- Baking soda – Make a paste with baking soda and water. Use a scrub brush to spread the paste over the shower floor. Let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. The abrasiveness of baking soda will help break up and lift away grime.
- Vinegar – Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar. Liberally spray over the shower floor and let sit for 5-10 minutes. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through soap scum and hard water deposits. Use a scrub brush to agitate. Rinse thoroughly.
- Cleaning spray – Look for cleaners specifically formulated for showers and tubs. Apply to the shower floor as directed on the product label. Let sit briefly before scrubbing and rinsing away.
- Steam cleaner – For a powerful cleaning boost, use a steam cleaner on the shower floor. The heat and steam help soften and dissolve built-up gunk. Follow with scrubbing.
Pay extra attention to tough stains, ridges, and corners as you scrub. Reapply cleaners to stubborn spots as needed.
Detail the Grout and Cracks
Grout lines and crevices between tiles easily collect dirt and debris. Effectively cleaning the grout makes a big difference in the appearance of the shower floor.
- Use a grout brush or old toothbrush to scrub the grout.
- Apply baking soda paste or cleaning spray directly onto the grout brush and scrub back and forth. The bristles will dig into the grout crevices.
- Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing.
For narrow cracks, fill a spray bottle with the cleaning solution. Push the nozzle directly into cracks and squeeze while dragging the bottle along the length of the crack. The pressure will drive the spray down into crevices. Let soak briefly before rinsing. Repeat if needed.
Give Windows and Walls Some Care
While you have the cleaning solutions out, give the shower walls, doors, and windows some attention as well.
- Spray down surfaces with a cleaning solution or vinegar.
- Use a sponge or soft cloth to scrub away soap scum and hard water stains on walls.
- Rinse thoroughly.
For glass shower doors, work in circular motions to remove buildup from both sides of the glass. Rinse and repeat until the doors are sparkling again. Use a squeegee to remove excess water and prevent the re-deposit of minerals as it evaporate.
Thorough Rinsing
Thorough rinsing is key after scrubbing the shower floor. You want to completely wash away all dirt, debris, and cleaning product residues.
- First, drain any remaining standing water from the shower floor if needed.
- Then, spray down surfaces with warm water using a removable shower head if you have one.
- Work from the top down, rinsing walls first and then focusing on the floor.
- Alternatively, you can fill a large bucket with clean water.
- Use a cup to rinse surfaces, starting with higher areas and working your way down.
- Fully replace rinse water as it becomes dirty.
- Rinse and wipe down corners, ridges, and tile grout especially well.
- Double-check for any soapy residues or cleaning product film. Rinse any stubborn spots again.
Disinfect and Deodorize
After the main scrubbing and rinsing, there are a few extra steps to really freshen up the shower:
- Disinfectant – Spray shower surfaces with hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil cleaner, or other non-bleach disinfectants. This kills any leftover germs and bacteria. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before a final rinse.
- Deodorizer – Mist shower walls and floor with white vinegar or baking soda powder. This will help eliminate any lingering odors.
- Air circulation – After cleaning, open the bathroom door and turn on any vents or fans to help fully air out the shower. This evaporates any lingering moisture.
Read: How To Clean Shower Grout Without Scrubbing
How Can You Prevent Future Buildup?
At the end of the day, regular cleaning with the above steps will not only guarantee having all round cleaning shower. But you will need to prevent grime buildup between deep cleans. For this, follow the below steps:
- Squeegee the shower walls and doors after each use to minimize soap scum and mineral deposits.
- Spray shower surfaces with vinegar after use and wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
- Hang a mesh puff or Lufa sponge in the shower to catch hair and debris before going down the drain.
- Keep bath products in sealed containers outside the shower when possible.
- Open shower doors/curtains after use to allow air circulation and drying.
- Occasionally scrub the shower floor using baking soda or mild cleaner to prevent grime buildup.
How To Make The Shower Floor Shine
A simple, clean shower floor should not have a dull, faded appearance. Here are some extra tips to make it shine:
- Once fully dry, buff the shower floor with a dry microfiber mop or cloth. This will brighten the tile or vinyl surface.
- Apply wax or sealant made specifically for shower floors. This adds a protective coat and repels future grime and stains.
- For extra shine, polish chrome fixtures, handles, the shower head, and any shelves or soap trays inside the shower.
Conclusion
There you have – we made it through the top-to-bottom shower cleaning extravaganza! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to kick back and admire that sparkling clean shower. Just look at how the tiles glisten, and the chrome fixtures shine.
You should feel proud knowing that all that scrubbing and rinsing paid off. Now, you’ve got a shower space that looks fresh, smells clean, and is sanitary for your daily showers. The hardest part is over.
With some regular maintenance and quick cleanups after each use, you can prevent the grime from coming back too quickly. Doesn’t it feel amazing to have a shower that matches how refreshed you feel after bathing in it? That’s a job well done!