3 easy tips for keeping your shower clean

Showers are a household hub, where dirt and grime can easily be unseemly and unhealthy. Here are three easy ways you can keep your shower shining!

• To clean your fibreglass shower stall, use a damp sponge with a tub and tile cleaner, a mild non-abrasive cleaner or baking soda. Gently scour, then allow the cleanser to work for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
• To remove built-up soap film on plastic shower curtains or liners, machine-wash using warm water and 250 millilitres (one cup) of a non-precipitating water softener (check the label) to dissolve the soap residue. If the curtain is mildewed, add 175 millilitres (3⁄4 cup) of liquid chlorine bleach to the wash cycle.
• After washing the curtain for five minutes on the gentle cycle, hang it back on its rod to drip-dry, making sure that the bottom edge is inside the tub or shower stall and the curtain is spread out as if hung on a clothesline.
• If your shower curtain is saturated with mildew, soak it right in the tub, adding bleach and powdered water softener. After about an hour, rinse the curtain — it will look as good as new.

If you continually find puddles of water left on the bathroom floor after the morning rush of showers, you may want to consider replacing your shower curtain with a shower door.

• To keep your shower doors spotless, wipe with a solution of 125 millilitres (1⁄2 cup) vinegar mixed with one litre (one quart) of water, or use glass cleaner.
• A laundry prewash or a tub and tile cleaner are other options.
• For heavy scum, leave the cleaner on for a few minutes, then wipe. Rinse and towel dry.
• Clean the track regularly, using a brush or cotton swabs, if necessary.

Faucets collect hard-water spots and soap scum.

• For a chrome faucet, use a soft cloth moistened with vinegar, window cleaner or rubbing alcohol to clean away trouble spots. Then dry and polish with a soft, lint-free cloth. If there is a white, chalky buildup of lime, use a lime remover.
• A lacquered brass faucet should be cleaned with a mild detergent. To protect the shiny layer of lacquer on the brass fixture, gently buff the surface dry. If the lacquer coating is scratched or coming off, you can prevent tarnishing by dabbing it with clear fingernail polish, letting it dry and buffing it lightly. Use cream brass polish only on unlacquered brass.
• Scum can collect at the spot where the faucet meets the sink. Clean this area regularly using bathroom cleaner and the toothbrush from your cleaning bucket.

A clean shower is essential in a busy bathroom and regular cleaning doesn't have to take all day. Start with these tips and you may be surprised by how easy maintaining a clean shower can be!