Shower screens can be prone to soap scum and limescale buildup, which means keeping them shiny and stain-free can be a challenge. Limescale develops on shower glass due to the calcium and magnesium in hard water. The hard water evaporates on the glass, leaving behind a white, chalky substance that can accumulate over time. Shower screens aren’t the only area of the home prone to limescale buildup. Kettles, taps, sinks and tiles can also be prone to limescale, especially if they’re not cleaned regularly.
Along with limescale, shower glass can become covered in soap scum, a grimy residue made of soap, skin cells, and body oils that builds up on surfaces. Removing both these unsightly stains can be difficult, especially if you’re looking to avoid using harsh chemicals.
Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand Seep, suggested using white vinegar to clean shower screens.
Laura white vinegar is “one of the best things to add to the weekly shop”.
“This wonder product is super cheap, eco-friendly and brilliant for most home cleaning tasks,” she said.
“It is also a great switch for harsh chemicals, which are not good to breathe in or for the environment.”
White vinegar contains acetic acid, which reacts with the calcium carbonate in limescale, breaking it down so it can easily be removed. The natural cleaner is also perfect for removing soap scum as it’s highly acidic. The acidity of the vinegar breaks down the alkaline residue in the soap.
How to use white vinegar to clean shower screens
Rather than using just white vinegar, Laura suggested using a mix of water and the vinegar.
She said: “To create a sparkly clean shower screen, white vinegar is perfect for this too.
“Spray the screen with a mix of 50/50 white vinegar and water using a refillable bottle then simply wipe off using an eco sponge with a scourer.”
The scourer side of the sponge is perfect for gently lifting any shower gel or hair conditioner splashes that could be stuck to the shower screen.
Meanwhile, the white vinegar will leave a lovely shine on the glass as well.
Eco sponges don’t contain plastics and are usually made from wood pulp, loofah and other natural materials.
Seep Eco Sponge Scourers cost £9.50 for four sponges, while Composty’s All-in-One Loofah Scourer Eco Sponges cost £9.99 for four.