Did you know that scientists have found over 200 mycotoxins in molds? Mycotoxins are potentially toxic substances that can harm humans and animals.
Not all molds produce mycotoxins, but you still want to avoid them as they have other health effects. For example, exposure to them can lead to respiratory and skin irritation.
Your shower, in turn, is one of the places in your home where molds can thrive, as it’s often warm and damp.
Fortunately, the best shower cleaning products can remove molds, dirt, grease, and grime. Most are also effective against scum and limescale.
To that end, we’ve created this guide on the best cleaning must-haves for your shower. Read on to discover what they are and how they can help keep this room sparkling clean.
1. Extendable Tile Scrubber
Extendable tile scrubbers are some of the best products for cleaning shower tiles. Their adjustable pole lets you clean walls from top to bottom without climbing. Their brushes also often have a unique shape designed to fit corners for a thorough cleaning.
2. Glass Squeegee
Never use paper towels to clean glass surfaces, as they’re expensive and leave streaks. Rags are also a no-no, as they can make more mess and, like paper towels, leave water stains. Rags can also be a catch-all for debris that can scratch glass.
Instead, use squeegees, the best cleaning products for shower glass and bathroom windows. These tools have a flat, smooth rubber blade that removes and controls water flow. When placed against a glass surface, the rubber forms a seal and forces the water to follow its direction.
That’s how squeegees can clean shower glass and windows and leave them streak-free.
Some squeegees also have two faces, the other being a sponge for soaking up a cleaning solution or water. Use this to apply your preferred glass cleaning solution and rinse water onto the glass. Then, use the rubber blade to remove the liquids.
3. White Vinegar
Vinegar is a diluted solution of about 5% acetic acid and water. That acid is responsible for vinegar’s characteristic sour smell and taste. It’s also the reason this kitchen staple can break down organic stains and even kill some types of mold.
So if you’re looking for the best shower cleaner for mold that is also all-natural, choose vinegar. Use white vinegar, though, as the colored ones can leave stains and are also pricier.
You can spray white vinegar directly onto mold spots in the shower, including tiles and grout. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before brushing the areas with your tile scrubber. You can then rinse the debris with warm water.
After cleaning your tiles, consider using a grout sealer for shower walls and floors. It can help protect the filling between your tiles from stains and early degradation. Thus, it can help minimize the need for time-consuming scrubbing later on.
Vinegar is also effective against limescale build-up, often caused by hard water. Limescale is the chalky substance you might find staining your shower glass. You can spray vinegar over these ugly water spots and use your squeegee for a streak-free finish.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is another non-toxic, natural cleaner you may already have in your pantry. It can break down organic substances, including dirt, grime, grease, molds, and oil. As a gentle abrasive, it’s also ideal as a scrubbing agent for dirt and limescale build-up on sinks and tiles.
Baking soda has odor-neutralizing properties, too. Thus, it can also help give your shower a cleaner, fresher smell.
Baking soda is safe for most surfaces and metals like bronze, copper, and stainless steel. However, avoid using it to clean marble, ceramic, and gold- or silver-plated surfaces.
To use baking soda as a scrubbing agent, combine 1/2 cup of the white powder with 1/4 cup of water. Mix well until you get a nice paste, then scoop some up and use it to scrub your tiles and sink. Rinse with warm water afterward.
5. Household Bleach
You can use bleach to disinfect your shower and kill molds. As long as diluted in cool water, it’s safe to use on most surfaces, provided they’re in good condition. These include porcelain, glazed ceramic tiles, fiberglass, and sealed granite.
Wear rubber gloves, as pure bleach can be irritating. Then, mix 240 milliliters (one cup) of bleach with 1 gallon (4.5 liters) of cool water in a bucket. You can apply the solution from the bucket directly to surfaces or transfer some to a spray bottle.
Apply your diluted bleach solution onto your shower walls and floors. Depending on the product’s brand, you may have to let it sit for a few minutes (for example, 6 minutes for Clorox).
After that, use your tile scrubber to clean the walls and floors.
If you want to use bleach to disinfect, you must pre-clean surfaces first by wiping or mopping them. One reason is that physical contaminants can compromise the disinfection process. So, pre-cleaning helps the disinfectant maintain its potency and efficacy.
6. No-Scrub Shower Cleaner
If you don’t have the time to deep-clean your shower once a week, use a no-scrub cleaner that only requires a few wipes. Most of these products are in spritz bottles, letting you spray them directly on surfaces. You then leave them for a few minutes so they can cut through dirt, grime, and stains.
Once the indicated contact time has passed, you can wipe the solution away. However, depending on how dirty the surfaces are, you may have to wipe them again to remove all traces of dirt.
Use the Best Shower Cleaning Products Today
As you’ve learned in this guide, you may already have some of the best shower cleaning products. So, why not consider using white vinegar, baking soda, or bleach to clean and disinfect your shower? However, their use requires scrubbing, so if you don’t have time, consider a no-scrub cleaner.
Don’t forget to invest in an extendable tile scrubber and a squeegee. With these tools, applying and removing your preferred cleaners will be a cinch.
To read other informative home guides like this, check out more of our blog posts now!