You’re Cleaning Your Shower Glass All Wrong — But Don’t Worry, So Was I

Let me be brutally honest for a second: I used to think shower glass was a cute idea… until I had to clean it. I mean, who decided clear glass was a good idea in a place where we scrub off shampoo, soap, hard water, and mystery grime?

For the longest time, I did what most people do. Spray something vaguely lemon-scented, wipe it with a wad of paper towels, and call it a day. Five minutes later? Still streaky. Still cloudy. Still not even close to clean.

So if you’ve been fighting the same uphill battle and wondering why your shower still looks “meh,” I’m here to tell you — you’re not alone. And you’re probably just doing it wrong (don’t take it personal, we all were).

Let me show you how to do it the right way — no elbow grease that makes your arms sore for two days, no harsh chemicals that make you cough, and absolutely no paper towels (more on that in a sec).

Why You’ll Actually Love This (Not Just “Love to Hate It”)

• It doesn’t smell like a chemical factory — just good old vinegar and baking soda

• No special equipment, no gimmicky products — you’ve probably got everything already

• Once you get in the groove, it’s easy (and kind of satisfying)

• Keeps your bathroom looking like the fancy hotel ones — without the spa prices

• You won’t feel gross walking into the shower anymore. That’s a win.

Okay, But Seriously — Why Does Clean Glass Even Matter?

Besides the obvious “I like it when things don’t look disgusting,” dirty shower glass can actually trap bacteria and mildew. Yeah, mildew. The stuff you think you smell in the bathroom but pretend you don’t? That.

And let’s not forget how mineral deposits — especially if you’ve got hard water like I do — can actually etch and ruin the glass over time. Cleaning it isn’t just about looking nice, it’s about keeping your shower from turning into a science experiment.

Let’s Talk About Paper Towels (Stop Using Them, Please)

I get it. They’re easy, they’re there, you don’t have to think. But here’s the truth: paper towels are like that friend who offers to help you move and then shows up late and doesn’t carry anything heavy. Useless.

They leave fuzzies. They streak. And worst of all, they don’t actually clean — they just move the grime around like it’s musical chairs.

Use microfiber cloths. The good kind. Keep a few on hand and toss ’em in the wash when they get gross. Your shower glass (and your trash bin) will thank you.

The $8 Tool That Changed Everything: The Humble Squeegee

This thing right here? Total game-changer. I don’t care how old-school it feels — if you use a squeegee after every shower, you’ll barely have to clean your glass anymore. No joke.

Just swipe down the glass before you step out — top to bottom, wipe the blade after each pull. It takes 30 seconds, and it saves you hours of scrubbing down the line. This is what they mean by “working smarter, not harder.”

My Ride-or-Die: Vinegar Soak

I swear vinegar should have its own fan club. I use it for everything from cleaning the coffee pot to freshening up the laundry. But when it comes to shower glass, it’s a straight-up miracle.

Here’s how I do it:

• Fill a spray bottle with half white vinegar, half warm water

• Spray it generously on the glass

• Let it sit for 15-ish minutes (go fold some laundry or scroll TikTok)

• Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth

• Rinse it off like you mean it

If the scum is extra stubborn? Heat the vinegar a bit first. Or add a splash of dish soap. Just don’t skip the rinse — unless you like sticky glass.

Don’t Even Think About Using Scrubby Pads

Listen, I love a good scrub sponge as much as the next gal, but not on glass. One wrong move and now you’ve got scratches — and scratched glass looks dirty even when it’s clean. No thank you.

If you need some oomph, go with this next trick instead…

My Grandma’s Trick: Baking Soda Paste

This one’s old-school and totally works.

• Mix about 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water (eyeball it, it’s not cake batter)

• Smear it on any stubborn spots — corners, bottom edges, wherever the grime likes to party

• Let it hang out for 10-15 minutes

• Wipe off with a damp cloth

• Rinse it like you’re washing off sticky dough from your hands

Boom. Clean. No scratches. No regrets.

Don’t Forget the Rinse (Seriously)

You did all that work — don’t mess it up by skipping the rinse. Warm water, all over, especially if you used vinegar or baking soda. Get every last bit off.

If you’ve got a handheld shower head, now’s its time to shine. Otherwise, a big ol’ cup works just fine.

Maintenance Mode: What to Do Daily-ish

• Squeegee after every shower (yes, even when you’re tired)

• Wipe down with a cloth every couple of days

• Do a deep clean with vinegar every 1-2 weeks

• Reapply any glass-protecting spray once a month (if you’re fancy like that)

Trust me — it’s easier to stay ahead of it than to let it go and spend your whole Saturday scrubbing like you’re in cleaning boot camp.

How to Keep Water Spots Away Forever (Almost)

If your water’s got minerals in it (most of ours does), you’ll always battle spots. You can get a water softener, but those aren’t cheap.

My hack? Get a little bottle of Rain-X or something made for shower doors. Wipe it on once a month. It makes water bead up and slide off instead of drying into weird cloudy blobs.

Be Kind to the Planet While You’re at It

I’ll just say this: cleaning your shower doesn’t have to smell like a science lab.

Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda — they all work, they’re safe, and they don’t leave behind weird fumes or a headache. Plus, you’re not flushing questionable stuff down the drain. Win-win.

Don’t Skip the Dry

Last step, promise. After rinsing, grab a dry microfiber towel (yep, another one) and wipe the glass down. It gets rid of leftover droplets and gives it that squeaky-clean shine.

Want to be extra? A dab of rubbing alcohol on the cloth will leave it looking chef’s kiss perfect.

That’s All She Wrote

Whew. That was a lot, huh? But honestly, it’s easy once you’ve got the hang of it. No more frustration. No more streaky mess. Just clean, clear glass you can actually feel good about.

Got a weird stain you can’t figure out? A cleaning win to brag about? Shoot me a comment or an email — I love hearing from fellow home-keepers (especially if you’ve got a trick that saves time or sanity).

‘Til then, go clean that glass — and treat yourself to a cookie afterward. You’ve earned it. 😉

Warm hugs,