I don't know how to clean these newfangled tubs.

March 19, 2018 6:05 AM

I need cleaning recommendations for a fiberglass tub with glass doors. No elbow grease preferred.

I have always had cast iron/porcelain tubs upon which periodic Comet would keep things clean, and shower curtain liners that I just replaced when they got too grotty. But after a recent bathroom remodel, we have a fiberglass tub with clear glass shower doors, and I have never cleaned such things before.

My husband says Comet will scratch the fiberglass so that's right out, and regular glass cleaner appears to do nothing against soap scum -- even after using it several times there's still a hard film on the inside of the doors.

Can those of you who have such a bath/shower arrangement tell me how you keep them clean?

posted by rabbitrabbit to Home & Garden (14 answers total)

I’ve cleaned this with baking soda and vinegar, but that requires elbow grease. However, the most important thing I’ve discovered, which may help you, is keeping a squeegee in the shower and using it on the doors after every shower. That keeps the soap scum from building up in the first place. I also use a dry washcloth to wipe down the faucet and handles after every shower, which means I never get any build-up there.
posted by FencingGal at 6:18 AM on March 19, 2018 [3 favorites]

Best answer: The blue dawn + vinegar recipe is the only way I clean my soap scummy bathroom now.
posted by knownassociate at 6:44 AM on March 19, 2018 [10 favorites]

Magic erasers work like, well, magic. Also seconding the squeegee tip.
posted by congen at 6:51 AM on March 19, 2018

Best answer: Don't confuse soap scum with limescale. The first is the residue you get in a ring around the tub if you don't clean it very often, or if you take a bath when you're really, really dirty. The difficult-to-remove hard film that's most visible on glass is limescale, which is calcium carbonate present in the water itself. You may have one or other of these, or both.

Limescale breaks down quite easily when you apply acid to it, so white vinegar should do the trick. I usually dilute it by half in a spray bottle and use that (you need to make sure you have adequate ventilation and avoid breathing the spray though, as it can be quite irritating).
posted by pipeski at 7:01 AM on March 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

Call those who sold/installed the tub and ask for manufacturer's info.
posted by Carol Anne at 7:01 AM on March 19, 2018

Response by poster: We installed it ourselves: it's this one, but the manufacturer does not provide cleaning advice.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:05 AM on March 19, 2018

You can use any of the many acid-based spray products for soap scum. I dilute them half and half with water for normal use as I find full strength is overkill for anything but a shower that hasn't been cleaned for a year. Comet and Mr Clean are the easiest ones on your lungs.

Regardless of whether you use one of these or go with knownassociate's Dawn+vinegar solution, the more important factor is to use a Magic Eraser or similar product sponge that's minimally abrasive - that way you have to use very little of any product or solution.

Also, it's helpful to use a marine fiberglass polish on glass and walls every six months or so to repel the scum from sticking in the first place.

Sorry, there's really no way to keep showers and especially glass-doors clean without elbow grease - glass doors are especially high maintenance. If I'm ever lucky enough to put in a bathroom from scratch - no glass doors allowed!
posted by Gnella at 7:08 AM on March 19, 2018

Best answer: from your link, page 4.

• Clean after use with a mild liquid household detergent cleaner. Abrasive cleaners such as Lestoil, Lysol Disinfectant (spray
or concentrate), or Lysol Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner, Windex, Mr. Clean, Dow Disinfectant.or cleaning products in aerosol cans should not be used.
posted by Karaage at 7:35 AM on March 19, 2018 [1 favorite]

Seconding marine fiberglass cleaners. They are great on these surfaces, with no scrubbing. Also Lime Away is good for calcium scale, but don't let it sit on the surface and wear rubber gloves.
posted by chocolatetiara at 7:50 AM on March 19, 2018

Response by poster: Karaage: haha, oops, I completely missed that, thanks! Though "mild liquid household detergent cleaner" is not super-helpful. I'll try the dawn-and-vinegar.

People recommending melamine sponges (Magic Eraser) -- have you used those long-term on fiberglass? My understanding is that they are abrasive and will scratch and dull most hard surfaces.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:55 AM on March 19, 2018

Definitely squeegee daily. I also use dish soap and a soft cloth to clean the glass doors- I generally rub the soap on with my hands and let it sit a few minutes before I rub and rinse. I would not use a Magic Eraser on the tub; it will surely damage and dull the surface.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 7:56 AM on March 19, 2018

Have used melamine sponges on many, many fiberglass surfaces over a period of 12 years - they do not damage or dull the surface if used correctly - read the directions. They should be wet enough to drip, not dry, and the point is you don't need to scrub or use pressure at all. The "mild" cleaners will not work on scum or limescale. Leave the acidic cleaners on just briefly, like a minute, then wipe with wet sponge and rinse with water and/or a clean dry cotton terry cloth like the ones you can get from the automotive store. Microfiber cloths don't have enough "grab" to them and tend to just smear the scum around.
posted by Gnella at 9:27 AM on March 19, 2018

I'm a big fan of CLR Kitchen & Bathroom for getting rid of scale & scum. (insofar as one can be a fan of spray cleaners). It does a good job of dissolving the stuff, it's pretty much just spray, wait a few seconds and wipe.

But we've become squeegee & wipe with a microfiber cloth people. The walls get wiped down immediately after showering every time. The tub itself gets CLR as necessary.
posted by GuyZero at 11:04 AM on March 19, 2018

Response by poster: Wow, that hot vinegar and Dawn recipe that knownassociate linked above works REALLY WELL. My tub and shower doors are now sparkling and I hardly had to scrub at all. It took what felt like forever to get all the suds off the doors but I imagine after my new squeegee arrives it should be quick work.

Knownassociate, does that stuff work as well after it has cooled down, or is it most effective right after mixing? Because I still have half a bottle left, can I use it next time, or should I mix up a new batch?
posted by rabbitrabbit at 6:13 AM on March 20, 2018