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One of the dirtiest places in your household is, along with the kitchen, your bathroom. The regular use of the bathroom makes it a good collecting spot for germs and bacteria. You can rectify the problem with the regular cleaning of the floor and the bathroom appliances. Here, we will take a look at how to clean the shower floor to make it squeaky clean.
Cleaning the shower floor is one of the tougher tasks when it comes to cleaning the bathroom. The material makes it even harder to get the stains off the shower floor, and there might also be collections of hair that you will need to clean. But, with some effort and some good tips, you will be able to clean it nicely. The first you will have to do yourself, but we can give you some tips.
If you are wondering how to clean the shower floor, you have come to the right place.
Make it a Routine
Image source: Bauer Clifton Interiors
The best way to keep your bathroom clean is by cleaning it regularly. In fact, it might not be such a bad idea to clean the shower floor every time you get out of the shower. The hot water and the steam will make the stains easier to clean, and the stains won’t even start forming yet.
All you need to do is to find the stain spots, get a scotch pad sponge or a toothbrush, and scrub it off. If you notice any dirt collecting in the crevices of your shower, you can also use a toothbrush to reach those spots. If there are missing edges, make sure that you patch them up instantly to prevent further damage. You can do so easily with some caulk.
After all, what does it cost you to clean the shower and the walls once you are done? Well, it might take some time, but it is better to take preventative measures than to be sorry later on.
If you still cannot afford to clean the shower every time you are done, then you can at least clean it once a week. That should still be enough to keep the stains from forming.
In any case, once a month should be the time to make a thorough, deep cleaning process of your bathroom. Why is it so important to clean the shower? They can be the breeding ground for infections and bacteria, and if you don’t maintain proper hygiene, you can get various infections, allergies, and foot infections.
So, making it a routine is necessary, although it might not be easy at first. To prevent the stains from forming and to clean the shower properly, you need to do it regularly.
How to Remove Hard Water Stains
Hard water stains can be particularly hard to clean, especially if they have been standing still for a long amount of time. To clean it, you will either need to get a special cleaning solution for such stains, or you can try to make a solution at home.
You can make a pretty powerful solution at home by yourself, using baking soda, vinegar, water, and lemon juice. There are three options you can use at home. Here’s how to do it.
- Find a spray bottle, and fill it with half water and half vinegar.
- Start spraying the mixture over the stains in your tub. Wait for a couple of minutes for the stain to soften up, and then wipe it off.
Another good solution for this you can make at home is a paste from baking soda and vinegar. Here’s how to clean the shower floor with this solution.
- Mix some baking soda and vinegar (depending on the size of the surface you are cleaning)
- Cover the stains with some paste, and let it sit there for 10-15 minutes.
- After those 15 minutes, scrub it clean and wipe off the paste. Wipe it dry completely to prevent new stains from forming.
Lastly, you can also use a pretty powerful solution from lemon juice.
- Spray the lemon juice over the stains
- Wait for 10 minutes, and wipe it off. Make sure it is dry. Repeat if the stains are still there.
How to Remove Soap Stains
Perhaps you are dealing with soap stains. You will see the soap stains as the pink or white residue at the bottom of your shower. That’s what happens when the soap starts turning into bacteria.
Like with the hard stains, you can create a homemade solution for this, or you can use a household cleaner made specifically for this in mind. If you prefer a more nontoxic solution, then the homemade option is probably better. In any case, you will have to apply the solution to the stains and let it sit for half an hour. Before you rub the stains off, spray it with vinegar to completely remove the stains.
A good tip for how to clean the shower floor and the soap stains is to take a hot shower before cleaning. The hot water and the steam will make the stain more responsive to cleaning, and it will come off easier. You can also use a putty knife to tackle the stains if they are particularly hard to remove.
How to Remove Tough Stains
Removing the stubborn scum and stains is a bit harder, but it can be done with the right tools. There are three solutions you can use:
- Vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Bleach
A good way to clean it is with vinegar; pour some vinegar over the stains, and let it sit for half an hour. After that, scrub it off with a sponge or a brush that is fiberglass friendly.
Another good solution to remove tough stains is with hydrogen peroxide. All you need to do is to find some pieces of cloth and put several layers of cloth over the stains. Then, soak the layers of cloth with the hydrogen peroxide solution, let it rest for some time, wash it, and dry it completely.
A slightly more radical solution is to use bleach. For tougher stains, bleach is very effective, especially for fiberglass showers. Again, apply the bleach to the stains, and let the bleach do its magic. Then, after some minutes, wipe it off and dry it completely. Use a non-abrasive brush or cloth to easily scrub the stains.
How to Clean the Shower Floor (Different Types of Floor)
Fiberglass Shower Floors
Image source: MTI Baths
Fiberglass floors can be vulnerable to abrasive materials and can get scratched quite easily if you rub too much or with an abrasive material. For this reason, try to use non-abrasive tools to scrub off the stains. Dishwashing liquid, laundry detergents, all-purpose cleaners, or soft scrub products will do best for fiberglass.
As for the cleaning tools, you can use sponges or pieces of cloth, as long as the material is not abrasive. You can use them to apply the cleaner in the first place, and then to rub it off.
When scrubbing, you will have to be particularly gentle. Even if you try to do it more strongly or if you put too much force into it, you might end up scratching and damaging the surface. To avoid this, go about the task as gently as possible, and use non-abrasive materials.
Lastly, rinse it with water and dry it off. Again, use a soft cloth to dry off the fiberglass floor, and dry it off completely.
Tile Floors
Image source: Kaufman Homes, Inc.
Compared to fiberglass floors, tile floors are slightly easier to clean. As they are not so susceptible to damage, you can get away with more abrasive materials or cleaning solutions. You can use a water-vinegar solution, or you can use baking soda to get the stains off. For the best results, do it several times a week to prevent the stains from forming in the first place.
Porcelain Floors
Image source: AR Homes – Cincinnati, OH
Porcelain floors tend to be vulnerable to abrasive cleaning solutions. Also, liquid cleaners might not be the best option here. Instead, use gentle cleansers, and non-liquid solutions, and wipe it off with a soft sponge or cloth. A synthetic scouring pad can be used to get rid of the tough stains.
To clean the stains, you can use the following solution:
- Make a paste from 50% of tartar, and 50% of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it thoroughly.
- Use the paste on the stain, and let it there for about 30 minutes.
- Then, scrub off the stain with a plastic brush.
- Lastly, rinse the surface thoroughly and dry it.
Textured Floors
Image source: Balodemas Architects
Lastly, we have textured floors. These can be especially hard to clean due to the varying textures, although a few solutions will prove to be effective. You can use mineral oils in combination with water, and then start wiping off the stains with a circular movement. Once the mixture does its magic, the stains will be much easier to clean.
Once the stains are removed, rub the area with a mixture of warm water and white vinegar. This will make it less slippery.
Useful Tips on How to Clean the Shower Floor
- Wipe the shower floor regularly after taking a shower to prevent mold and stains from forming.
- Vinegar and water can do wonders in combination. Spray them over the stains if you have any.
- Don’t close shower curtains if the floor is wet.
- Use non-abrasive cleaning methods for vulnerable materials.
Ending thoughts on how to clean the shower floor
So there you have it, this is how to clean the shower floor and make it squeaky clean. Remember, making it a routine is important to keep the floor clean regularly.
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