Fiberglass is a popular material of choice for showers and when it’s clean, it can bring a new zest to the room.
What cleaning products should be used?
You should regularly clean your shower using a non-abrasive cleaning liquid. It must be non-abrasive as the small particles in abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface of the fiberglass. This can lead to serious damage to the materials over time, reducing the lifespan of your shower.
You can use hard chemical cleaners such as bleach on your fiberglass shower floor. Other good products to use are things like a mild dishwashing soap or laundry detergent.
If you opt to use bleach, please ventilate your bathroom correctly. Open all doors and windows, turn on the extractor fan, or add a fan to the doorway.
Do not use ammonia based cleaners on fiberglass as it is an alkaline. This can cause damage to the fiberglass.
You should not use abrasive scourers, wire wool, or scrapers to apply the product as these can damage the fiberglass too.
Good choices are soft sponges, brushes with soft bristles, or cloths made from nylon, polyethylene, and polyester.
Daily
Every time that the shower is used, you should rinse off any soap residue from the walls and floor.
If you notice any stains on the flooring we recommend cleaning them immediately. It is a good idea to use a disinfectant spray if you have problems with mildew forming.
For an easier option, grab a clean and dry mop from your cupboard. Use this to soak up all of the excess water on your shower floor. If you have a lot less water, a dry microfiber cloth will work in the same way.
You can also use a window squeegee to wipe water off of the shower walls. Work from the top of the shower doors and towards the flooring. This should also be done after every use. It is easiest to clean your shower immediately after use as the heat helps the dirt and scum to loosen.
After the shower has been used, you should leave the shower doors open. This allows for better air circulation and reduces your chances of developing mold.
Weekly
Using the correct cleaning product and applicator for your shower, you should gently scrub the surface of the fiberglass shower floor.
Work in small circular motions until you have covered the entire surface area of the floor.
We recommend mixing up a solution of bleach and water in a spray bottle. Cover your hands with rubber gloves and spray the solution across your shower floor. Allow it to sit on the surface of the flooring for 5-10 minutes before wiping off with a damp sponge and then rinsing well.
Rinse the surface of the floor with clean water to wash away any cleaning residue. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the floor and remove any excess water.
This will help to reduce the amounts of mineral buildup in your shower. Staying on top of the cleaning also reduces the need to use harsh chemicals.
If you notice any mineral deposits blocking the spigots on your shower head then you can use a toothpick or toothbrush to loosen the blockages for better water flow.
Monthly
You should make an effort to deep clean your shower at least once per month, particularly if you struggle to keep up with regular or daily maintenance.
It is vital that you clean your shower to prevent you from getting and spreading diseases.
If you notice soap stains on the floor of your shower, the best way to remove them is to create a paste with baking soda and a little water. Rub this over the stain and allow it to sit there for a few hours. Once this time has passed, rinse the paste off using hot water.
If you notice grimy buildups on the floor of your shower, you should use white vinegar to tackle them. This will also work for hard water deposits. Pour some white vinegar over the affected areas and allow it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Scrub with a sponge or cloth to lift the marks.
A great way to clean off the residue left behind by soap scum is to use laundry detergent. Combine ½ cup of fabric softener and 1 cup warm water in a spray bottle.
Spray down the entirety of the surface using this solution. Depending on how built up and harsh the stains are, allow your cleaner to sit on them for up to 45 minutes.
Scrub the residue off using a sponge and rinse well. If there is any remaining residue we recommend using a toothbrush and some baking soda to eliminate it.
For rust stains caused by leaking faucets, a great and natural way to clean them is by using lemon juice. It should be freshly squeezed from a lemon.
All you need to do is pour this directly onto the stain, enough to fully cover it. Leave the lemon juice to sit on the rust stain for 2-3 hours. Rinse off the lemon juice and then scrub at the stains with a sponge.
For really tough stains, you can bring out the 3% hydrogen peroxide. On top of the stained areas, pile up a few neutral or white colored cloths.
Pour enough hydrogen peroxide over these mounds of cloths until the fabric has been entirely saturated. Allow these cloths to sit on the stains overnight. The next morning, remove the cloths and rinse the shower well. Dry it off with a clean cloth and you’re good to go.
Alternatively, create a paste of lemon juice and baking soda, or white vinegar and baking soda. This works perfectly on tough stains if you do not wish to use chemicals, and is highly effective on rust stains too. Apply this paste liberally over the stains and leave it to sit there for up to 3 hours. Scrub at the rust and then rinse clean.
If you notice a lot of mildew on your shower floor you can use a little chlorine-based bleach. Pour a little bleach over the stain and then allow it to sit for a little while. Put on appropriate hand protection and then use a cloth or sponge to scrub at the mildew with the bleach. Rinse well afterwards.
You can also use oxalic acid on your shower floor. Look at the packaging and make up a solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Add this solution to any hard to remove stains and leave it to work for 10 to 15 minutes.
Rinse away well with running water. As with bleach, this chemical can harm your skin. It is advised that you wear protective gloves and safety goggles while working with either substance.
If your shower floor is looking a little worse for wear, we recommend using a bottle of automobile polish. This is designed for the exterior of cars and will help to give your shower floor a smooth and shiny appearance.
You should use a clean cloth to apply the polish to a clean and dry shower. Rub it in and then use another cloth to buff the floor.
