A homemade cleaning spray costing just £1.42 can remove limescale and soap scum from shower screens, making the chore easier and cheaper than using commercial products.
Simple ingredients, low cost
The spray requires only distilled or white vinegar and grease-cutting washing-up liquid. A 568ml bottle of distilled vinegar costs 35p at Tesco, while Elbow Grease washing-up liquid is available for £1.07, though any brand will work.
Water is also needed. Better Homes & Gardens suggest adding lemon, baking soda, lemon oil and 10 to 20 drops of a fresh-smelling essential oil for an extra cleaning boost, if desired.
How to make and use it
Warm the distilled white vinegar and mix it with equal quantities of the washing-up liquid. If using the optional ingredients, add them at this stage. Pour the solution into a spray bottle, which helps apply it evenly across the glass.
Apply the solution to both sides of the shower screen and leave it for at least 30 minutes, or until it visibly cuts through grime. Rinse with clean water and a damp sponge, then dry with a soft microfibre cloth.
Important precautions and extra tips
For stone showers, vinegar may cause damage and staining. In that case, combine liquid soap with baking soda until it reaches the consistency of frosting, according to Natura Clean CEO Kris Koenig. She advises: "Scrub this eco-friendly cleaner onto the glass shower door with a nonscratch sponge, then rinse with warm water."
Edges and door tracks are often overlooked but are prime spots for mould and soap scum. Better Homes & Gardens recommend using a toothbrush or small handheld brush to scrub the metal frame, and a paint scraper to remove grime where the metal meets the shower. For mineral deposits on flat glass, use a razor blade scraper, holding it at a 45-degree angle to avoid scratching the glass.
