Over time all showers will show a build-up of soap scum, limescale & mould. This is easily preventable with the right tools, equipment & cleaning regimen. Check out these tips & tricks below to cut down on your cleaning time & restore your shower to its original glory.
Mould:
Mould thrives in dark, damp & humid areas which is why it is commonly found in bathrooms. It feeds on the organic matter being dirt, dust, skin particles & other various sources which is how it can often explode throughout the bathroom in just a matter of days.
For removal, it’s important to have a consistent routine. Ultimate’s Mould & Mildew formula is specifically designed to target mould spores themselves & is highly effective at removing all traces of mould from the shower INCLUDING the silicone!
- Always ensure the shower is DRY before application to avoid diluting the formula.
- Give the bottle a shake to mix the contents & spray directly onto all affected areas.
- Allow sitting for at least 30 minutes. Reapply as required until the mould has disappeared.
- Once all mould has been removed, thoroughly rinse down with cold water.
- Note if the mould has penetrated the silicone itself, it may require several applications for the product to thoroughly eradicate mould.
If you are experiencing mould in other areas of the bathroom such as the ceiling & cupboards, repeat steps 1 & 2. Allow to sit for 5-15 minutes depending on severity of mould & wipe down residue with a clean cloth. Should there be any residual mould left, repeat this process until removed.
Soap Scum:
Frequently seen in areas that experience hard water, the water combines with the oil & dirt rinsed from our bodies & binds together with the soap. When splashes of this land on the shower glass, over time these deposits will thicken & resemble what we know as soap scum.
There are many products available on the market which are designed for effectively cutting through soap scum. Citrus Resources Zest is an acid based cleaner which is fantastic to really cut through heavily built up soap scum & scale build up. It is also highly effective as a general purpose cleaner for tiles, grout, toilets, urinals & most bathroom vanities. Due to its acid formula, DO NOT use on marble, stone or onyx, in this scenario we would suggest using a pH NEUTRAL formula such as Research Products Unique.
- Dilute according to instructions.
- Evenly apply to affected areas & allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.
- Agitate with a white scour. DO NOT use a scour too abrasive as you risk etching the glass.
- Rinse clean with cold water.
Water Stains:
When soap scum & water marks are left on glass for extended periods of time, it causes corrosion. Over time the minerals left by hard water will build up on the glass & cause Stage I corrosion which is identified by the clouding of the glass. As the glass becomes too alkaline (due to soap residue), the minerals will then begin to etch the glass, causing irreversible damage. This is known as Stage II corrosion & is very difficult to correct.
How to tell the difference? If any of your acidic or physical abrasion methods work to remove the stains, you have Stage I corrosion. If your efforts are not having any impact, despite repeated attempts, you are likely dealing with Stage II corrosion & will need to either buff out the scratches or replace the glass.
For Stage 1 corrosion, if your regular bathroom cleaners haven’t had much of an effect – try something with a slightly grittier texture. CRL Bio-Clean Water Stain Remover has a thick, paste formula that you buff & polish onto the surface to quickly & effectively cut through that top layer of mineral build up & soap scum.
- Apply with a clean, dry cloth, sponge, brush or electric buffer.
- Press firmly & work into glass with small rubbing/massaging actions.
- Rinse clean with cold water until residue-free.
- Repeat application as required.