The shower screen is one of those spots in the bathroom that gets dirty without you noticing: limescale from the water, soap residue and damp leave the glass cloudy within weeks. In this guide we explain how to clean a shower screen and, above all, how to remove limescale from a shower screen using things you almost certainly already have at home. You'll see that, with a bit of consistency, bringing the shine back to the glass is easier than it looks.
Why the shower screen gets dirty and covered in limescale
The main enemy of the glass is limescale. Tap water, especially in hard water areas, contains minerals that stick to the glass as white marks when the water evaporates. On top of that come the residues of shower gel, shampoo and soap, which form a sticky film where dirt builds up easily. If it isn't cleaned regularly, the limescale bakes on and becomes far harder to shift.
The good news is that you don't need expensive or harsh products. With vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and a couple of basic tools you can get the screen gleaming again.
Before you start, take the bottles of gel and shampoo out of the shower and air the bathroom: you'll work more comfortably and the product will do a better job. Keep gloves, a non-abrasive sponge and a clean microfibre cloth to hand; they'll be your best allies throughout.
How to clean the shower screen with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
Vinegar is a natural descaler that dissolves limescale, and bicarbonate of soda adds a gently abrasive effect that lifts dirt without scratching. Together they make the perfect pair for cleaning a shower screen. Follow these steps:
- Warm a little white vinegar (don't let it boil) and spray it over the glass. Leave it for about ten minutes so it softens the limescale.
- Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda onto a damp sponge and rub the glass in circles, working harder on the worst-marked areas.
- Rinse with plenty of water and go over it with a squeegee or window cleaner so you don't leave runs.
- Dry with a microfibre cloth to stop fresh water marks forming.
If the screen is very dirty, leave the vinegar on for longer and repeat the process. For the seals and aluminium profiles, an old toothbrush will help you get into the corners.
Tricks for badly baked-on limescale
When limescale has been building up for months, vinegar alone may not be enough. In those cases, try soaking some cloths or kitchen roll in hot vinegar and sticking them straight onto the glass, leaving them for half an hour. That way the product doesn't run off and works on the limescale continuously.
Another very effective option is to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and a little water, apply it to the most stubborn marks and rub gently. On glass with heavy limescale, squeezing half a lemon and rubbing the pulp over the surface also works well, since the citric acid dissolves the minerals. Always avoid wire scourers and strong abrasives: they can scratch the glass permanently.
Be patient with the oldest marks: it's better to repeat the process gently two or three times than to scrub hard and risk damaging the glass. If your screen has a factory anti-limescale coating, avoid highly concentrated acids and always go for mild solutions.
How to stop the screen getting dirty again
The best way to avoid battling limescale is prevention. These small habits make all the difference:
- Run a squeegee over the glass after every shower; it takes less than a minute and stops the water drying on it.
- Air the bathroom to bring the humidity down and hold off mould.
- Every so often, apply a little glass-specific rinse aid, which creates a water-repellent layer.
- Give it a deep clean once a week so the limescale never gets the chance to bake on.
With these habits, the screen stays clear for much longer and the deep cleans become far more bearable.
Get your bathroom gleaming
Cleaning the shower screen doesn't have to be a chore. With vinegar, bicarbonate of soda and a bit of routine you'll have bright, limescale-free glass all year round. And if you want to sort out the rest of the house with practical products and accessories for the home, take a look at our shop: at Velia Select you'll find ideas to keep every corner looking immaculate with minimal effort.