Professional cleaners recommend rubbing baking paper on glass shower screens to keep them streak-free for weeks, a trick shared on Instagram by cleaning organisation @Thecleangroup. The method, which costs less than 5p per use, works by transferring a silicone coating from the paper onto the glass, creating a water-repelling barrier.
Why baking paper works
The cleaning group explains that baking paper, known as parchment paper in the US, has a silicone coating that is rubbed onto the shower door. Greaseproof paper does not have this coating, so it will not work. The group advises checking the back of the box to confirm the paper contains silicone.
By transferring the silicone onto the glass, shower screens acquire a protective finish that prevents water from drying into streak marks, according to the Express.
Cost and availability
The right type of paper is inexpensive. Aldi sells a pack of 30 sheets for £1.49, roughly 5p per sheet. Asda offers 25 sheets for £1.85 (7p per sheet), and Tesco sells 25 sheets for £2.30 (9p per piece).
How to apply the trick
The video demonstrates using a scrunched-up ball of paper rather than a flat sheet. The group advises making the ball with the shiny side up, so the shiny side faces the shower screen. Scrunching creates sharp, rigid folds that act as a gentle, non-scratch scrubber, buffing away light limescale, water marks, and cloudiness. Flat paper would simply glide over stains without removing them.
