How to Clean Glass Shower Doors Without Damaging Natural Stone

Certain bathroom cleaners damage natural stone.

Glass shower doors look best when kept sparkling clean. Water spots, soap scum and mildew can build up on the glass and make them look filthy. Certain cleaners that remove soap scum, dirt and mildew off glass can damage natural stone, such as marble, limestone or granite. These cleaners include ammonia-based formulas and acids such as vinegar. While you can use these cleaners on the glass, you must take precautions to keep the chemicals from making contact with the stone.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Towels
• Tarp
• Bowl
• White vinegar
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Put on rubber gloves. Cover stone shower floors with towels or a tarp to protect it from drips.

2. Pour 1 quart of warm water into a bowl. Add ¼ cup of white vinegar.

3. Wet a sponge in the bowl, and squeeze out the excess moisture so that it doesn't fling onto any stone surfaces. Rub the sponge over the glass.

4. Dry the glass doors with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• If there are areas of heavy soap scum on areas of the glass, apply undiluted vinegar to the sponge and wipe it to the glass. Let the vinegar sit on the area for 5 minutes, and then wipe the glass again.

• Using a squeegee on glass shower doors after each shower to prevent soap scum build up.

References

• Percoco Marble: Care & Cleaning
• Ecology Center: Alternative Cleaning Recipes
• Washington State University Extension; Back to Basics; Chris Koehler and Doris Torkelson