How to Clean a Shower Stall When You Have Hard Water

Hard water can create all sorts of cleaning problems, especially in the bathroom. Hard water can create stains on tile, grout, plastic, ceramic, glass and metal, making it a formidable enemy of a shower stall. Many commercial cleaners claim to remove hard-water stains. But they are often harmful to some surfaces, so using one commercial cleaner for every item in a shower stall is not always advisable. Before you spend the money on multiple cleaners, mix up a homemade remedy for cleaning hard-water stains from a shower stall.

Things You'll Need

• White vinegar
• Ammonia
• Baking soda
• Half-gallon spray bottle
• Sponge
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Squeegee
• Towel

Instructions

1. Pour 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1/8 cup baking soda into a half-gallon spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with cool water, then shake the container to mix the contents.

2. Spray the shower stall with the cleaning solution. The solution is safe for all items in your shower stall. Allow the solution to soak for 15 minutes.

3. Wash the shower stall with a sponge. If needed, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean corners or around faucets and other hardware.

4. Rinse the shower stall with cool water. Make sure you remove all the cleaner from the shower surfaces.

5. Remove water from glass panels or doors using a squeegee. Dry the rest of the shower stall with a towel.

Tips & Warnings

• Dry your shower after usage to help prevent hard-water staining.

References

• "Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things;" Reader's Digest Staff Writers; 2005