If you have cloudy, hazy Houston shower doors in your home, you might be wondering how to make them look clear again. In many cases, it can be done, with plenty of patience, motivation, and elbow grease. In this article, we’ll explain what’s making your shower door cloudy and how to clean off the hazy buildup.
Why Do Houston Shower Doors Get Cloudy?
If it looks like your Houston shower glass door looks permanently foggy, then there are likely two culprits: hard minerals and soap scum.
These substances can be incredibly tough to remove. Unfortunately, they also come into contact with Houston shower doors from normal showering, from the water and the soap.
Hard minerals are things like calcium, magnesium, and lime that are naturally found in the water that runs to your home. Even if you have a water softening system, there may be some of these minerals still in your water when you shower.
Soap scum is a mixture of several different things, including soap, body oils, and hard minerals. Since soap is pretty unavoidable for a nice, refreshing shower, your shower doors are frequently exposed to soap scum.
The problem with minerals and soap scum is that they can build up in layers and be really hard to remove from your Houston shower doors. The result is that you might find yourself with hazy looking shower glass that is difficult to remove. The good news is that there are some solutions that may work for you.
How to Restore a Hazy Houston Shower Glass Door
Cleaning cloudy shower doors with the right tools and products will typically restore the glass to its former (clear) glory. It’s important to note that you should never use abrasive cleaning products or tools on your shower glass. While there are several cleaning tips online that recommend this, it can actually scratch the surface of the glass. Instead, use soft, non-abrasive materials to clean your Houston shower doors.
One of the first things to try for your shower doors is a simple 1:1 vinegar and water solution. Vinegar is an acid that can help break up the grime and allow you to wipe it away. For a little extra power, mix vinegar and baking soda together for the foaming power.
If you’re primarily dealing with soap scum, then you may need something else to help emulsify the fats and oils in the soap scum. Hydrogen peroxide is a great option for this. Use one part hydrogen peroxide to one part water for this solution.
If these solutions still don’t work for your Houston shower glass door, then you may need to break out the big guns. This typically involves a cleaner designed specifically to remove calcium, lime, and rust. Spray this on the door and allow it to soak before wiping and rinsing the door. For really bad buildup, you may need to do this several times to remove all the layers of minerals and grime that are making the glass look cloudy.
Preventing Mineral and Soap Scum Buildup on Shower Glass
As you may have noticed, cleaning shower doors once they’re already cloudy and discolored is a pretty time and labor intensive process. Instead, it’s usually better to prevent the buildup from happening.
This typically involves removing water from the door after each shower with a microfiber towel or squeegee and also cleaning the shower glass at least once a week with a vinegar solution or similar cleaning product.
Also, consider choosing our shower doors with special glass treatments. These help repel water and prevent stubborn mineral and soap scum buildup. They make your shower easier to clean and maintain over time.
Gorgeous Shower Solutions from Shower Doors Inc.
Beautify your bathroom today with shower glass from our team at Shower Doors Inc. We provide custom shower glass doors and enclosures to turn your shower into an oasis. Whether you are looking for traditional hinged doors or prefer space-saving Houston sliding shower doors, we have solutions to match every bathroom and aesthetic. Trust our team for unmatched quality and craftsmanship for your shower glass needs. Contact us now to request a quote for your new shower!