Between long days, sport, gardening and at least two showers a day for some members of the household, the shower screen usually shows it. That cloudy film that never quite comes off, the white spots near the bottom, the edges where grime collects: it builds up slowly, and one day you notice the glass hasn’t looked clear in months.
The good news is that most shower screens can be brought back with the right method, and kept that way with a couple of minutes a week. Here’s what actually works, what to avoid, and how to make the job a lot easier from here on.
What's actually on your shower glass
Most people assume the marks on their glass are hard water scale. In Canberra, that’s usually not the main culprit. Icon Water classifies Canberra’s water as soft, at around 43 mg/L of calcium carbonate, so we don’t get the heavy limescale that households in hard water areas fight with.
What builds up on a Canberra shower screen is mostly soap scum and body products. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash and oils combine with the minerals that are in the water, dry onto the glass and bond to it. Glass looks smooth, but at a microscopic level it’s full of tiny peaks and valleys, and that residue settles into them. Left long enough, it becomes the stubborn, cloudy film that ordinary wiping won’t shift.
The routine that keeps glass clear
After each shower: squeegee
This is the single most effective habit. A quick pass with a squeegee takes about 20 seconds and removes the water before it can dry and leave residue behind. Keep one hanging in the shower so it’s always within reach. If you do nothing else on this list, do this.
Once a week: mild detergent and a microfibre cloth
Wipe the glass with a damp microfibre cloth and a little mild detergent, such as ordinary dishwashing liquid, then rinse and squeegee dry. That’s enough to lift the week’s soap and oils before they have a chance to build up. For extra shine, diluted white vinegar works well on the glass itself.
For built-up film: a bit more patience
If the glass is already cloudy, let a mix of warm water and dishwashing liquid, or diluted white vinegar, sit on the glass for a few minutes to soften the residue. Then work it off with a non-scratch sponge or microfibre cloth, rinse well and dry. You may need to repeat it a couple of times on glass that’s been neglected for a while. Keep vinegar off natural stone and away from the fittings if you’re unsure how they’ll react.
What not to use on shower glass
It’s tempting to reach for something strong when the glass won’t come clean, but the wrong product can do permanent damage:
- Abrasive powders and creams, such as scouring powders. They leave fine scratches, and scratched glass holds residue even more readily.
- Steel wool, scourers and the rough side of a kitchen sponge.
- Highly acidic or highly alkaline cleaners, which can etch glass and damage seals and any protective coating.
- Razor blades or scrapers, unless you know exactly what you’re doing. One slip can leave a scratch you’ll see every day.
If your glass has a protective coating, these products matter even more. EnduroShield’s own care instructions specifically warn against rough, gritty, abrasive and highly acidic or alkaline cleaners.
When cleaning isn't enough
Sometimes glass is past saving. If the screen still looks cloudy after a proper clean, the surface may be etched or scratched rather than dirty, and no cleaner will fix that. Failed seals, black mould that has worked into the silicone, or an old framed screen with corroded tracks are also signs it may be time to look at a new screen. If you’re weighing that up, our guide to choosing a new shower screen covers what to think about first.
The easier way: protect the glass
If you’d rather spend less time cleaning altogether, the answer is to stop the residue bonding to the glass in the first place. That’s what EnduroShield glass protection does.
EnduroShield is an invisible coating that bonds to the glass and fills those microscopic peaks and valleys, creating a smooth, non-stick surface. Water beads and runs off, and soap scum and grime sit on top of the coating instead of bonding to the glass, so they wipe away far more easily. It’s a once-only application, and it makes cleaning up to 90% easier. You still need to clean, just much less effort and much less often.
A few things worth knowing:
- It works on new glass and existing glass, so you don’t need a new screen to benefit.
- It isn’t just for showers. We also apply it to mirrors and glass splashbacks.
- When it’s applied to new glass supplied and installed by Monaro Screens, it comes with a 10-year guarantee.
- EnduroShield is applied in our factory, so there’s no mess or fumes in your bathroom. Once your screen is installed, you can use the shower again after 12 to 24 hours, which gives the silicone time to dry.
If you’re planning new frameless or semi-frameless shower screens, it’s well worth asking about EnduroShield at the same time. Glass for new installs is treated in advance. New glass is treated in our factory before it reaches your bathroom, so it’s protected and ready for its very first shower.
Keep your shower screen looking its bestÂ
Monaro Screens has been fitting shower screens in Canberra and Queanbeyan bathrooms for more than 30 years. Whether you want to protect the glass you have or you’re ready for a new screen, we’ll give you straight advice on what’s worth doing.
Call (02) 6239 2664, book a free measure and quote, or drop into our Fyshwick showroom
