For many across the UK, the battle against stubborn soap scum and hard water marks on shower doors is a familiar and frustrating household chore. One Reddit user, having exhausted numerous commercial cleaners, turned to the online community for a solution, sparking a thread filled with surprisingly effective advice.
The Desperate Plea for a Sparkling Shower
The user detailed a six-year struggle, posting a picture of their streaked glass doors. They confessed that despite using a arsenal of products—from Scrubbing Bubbles and Mr Clean magic erasers to vinegar solutions, Lysol, and even bleach—nothing had worked. They questioned whether hard water was a contributing factor to the persistent grime, making a final appeal for help ahead of their pre-Thanksgiving deep clean.
The 'Life-Changing' Solution and Other Expert Tips
The response from the Reddit community was swift and overwhelmingly in favour of one simple tool: a squeegee. One commenter hailed it as "life-changing," explaining that regular use meant they hadn't properly cleaned their shower door in months. The key is to use it after every shower to prevent water and soap from drying on the glass.
However, others pointed out a potential flaw in this plan for shared bathrooms, noting that you can't always rely on housemates to be as diligent. For those dealing with existing, caked-on deposits, several alternative solutions were offered. A razor blade scraper was suggested for carefully scraping off mineral deposits, with the advice to use a product like Windex to prevent scratching.
Another popular recommendation was Bio-Clean hard water stain remover, with one user stating they were "SHOCKED" by its effectiveness. For a more chemical-free approach, one person invoked a principle of chemistry—"like dissolves like"—and recommended scrubbing the wet glass with the same bar of soap causing the scum, then rinsing with hot water.
Maintaining a Mould-Free Bathroom
The conversation also highlighted the importance of preventative maintenance. For the stubborn grime that collects in the shower door track, a simple overnight soak with rags drenched in a vinegar and water solution was proposed. The consensus was clear: a combination of immediate post-shower wiping with a squeegee and occasional targeted cleaning is the most effective strategy for keeping shower doors crystal clear and free from unsightly soap scum and hard water stains.
