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How to Clean Shower Doors with WD-40? | The Best Method!

how to clean shower doors with wd-40
Written by Elizabeth Fincher
Last Update: August 10, 2023

If you can’t see out of your shower doors, it’s time to clean them. It may seem like a lot of elbow grease, but WD-40 is a great way to have sparkling clean windows with minimal effort.

Here, we’ll be showing you how to clean shower doors with WD-40. Your shower doors will be spotless in no time.

What makes shower doors dirty?

The two main causes of stains on shower doors are mineral build-up and soap stains. If you live in a place with hard water, these stains will appear frequently.

Hard water is water that has high mineral content. Many big cities and industrial towns have this issue, so it’s important to keep your shower clean if you happen to live in one. Soap stains come from all of the products you use in the shower.

How to Clean Shower Doors with WD-40?

WD-40 is a toxic chemical solvent, so it’s important to stay safe while you’re working.

Before you begin, grab a mask, a pair of dishwashing gloves, and a clean cloth, preferably one with microfibers. It’s also good to empty the shower of toiletries and any shower mats or towels.

  • Cover both sides of the shower doors with a layer of WD-40
  • Let the WD-40 sit for 15 minutes
  • Use the cloth to wipe away the WD-40
  • For hard spots, scrub them with a cloth
  • Add another layer of WD-40 and wait 15 minutes
  • Repeat the process until the doors are spotless
  • Use some water to rinse away any leftover WD-40

An added benefit of using WD-40 is that it will slow hard water build-up. This means you won’t have to clean your shower doors as often.

How to clean frosted shower doors with Wd-40?

Cleaning frosted windows is different than standard shower doors. Frosted windows have designs, indents, and raised areas. These areas can get a lot of dust stuck in the nooks and crannies, making cleaning them require a little more work.

In addition to hand and eye protection and a piece of cloth, you’ll need an abrasive sponge. Cloth rags can get lint stuck on the doors, so use a newspaper or paper towels to wipe.

  • Spray the WD-40 all over the shower door
  • Let the WD-40 sit for 15 minutes
  • Wipe away the WD-40 in circles with the paper
  • Use the abrasive sponge on all of the grooved parts of the door to get into the indents
  • Rinse the window with water, then dry the shower doors with paper
  • Repeat until your shower doors are clean

Is Wd-40 better than other cleaners?

Is Wd-40 better than other cleaners?

Vinegar

Vinegar is something that most households have. Its acidic properties make it a good way to clean shower doors if you have nothing else.

Pros

  • Easily accessible
  • Not as toxic as WD-40

Cons

  • Takes longer to clean
  • Doesn’t protect against further stains
  • Needs to be scrubbed

Verdict

WD-40 may be more dangerous, but it is stronger and adds a layer of protection so you don’t have to clean as often. With the right preparation, WD-40’s health risks are greatly minimized.

Vinegar & Baking Soda

Adding baking soda to vinegar causes bubbles that can help in removing stains.

Pros

  • Works better than vinegar alone
  • Good for tough stains

Cons

  • Messy
  • Takes a lot of scrubbing
  • Doesn’t spread evenly

Verdict

These household solutions offer quick fixes but WD-40 will always outperform them due to its chemical strength.

Glass Cleaner

There are many kinds of glass cleaners available at stores. They provide an easy, one-step solution for those in a hurry.

Pros

  • Made for cleaning glass
  • Fast-acting

Cons

  • Leaves streaks on the glass
  • More expensive than WD-40
  • Doesn’t add any layer of protection

Verdict

Glass cleaner is the best alternative to WD-40, but WD-40 is still a reliable option. You use less WD-40 than glass cleaner on shower doors.

With glass cleaner already being more expensive, WD-40 saves money in the long run. It also provides extra protection that only the most expensive glass cleaners are able to provide.

How to clean shower doors with vinegar?

If you don’t have any WD-40 around, you can use vinegar and water. Vinegar is acidic, so it will eat away all the minerals that stain your shower doors. You won’t get the same protection as WD-40, but vinegar is a great household item for cleaning shower doors.

Vinegar isn’t as toxic as WD-40, but you should still have some rubber gloves on to protect your skin. Use a spray bottle to apply the mixture to get full coverage.

  • Mix the vinegar and water together. It should be a 50/50 mix
  • Spray the mixture all over your shower doors
  • Wait for 30 minutes, then wipe off the shower doors
  • Repeat the process until your shower doors are shining

How to clean shower doors with vinegar & baking soda?

How to clean shower doors with vinegar & baking soda

To boost the cleaning power of vinegar, it’s best to mix it with some baking soda. It will become a paste, so you won’t be using a spray bottle this time. For this method, you’ll need gloves and a soft brush.

  • Apply the paste all over your shower doors
  • Wait for 10 to 15 minutes
  • Scrub the windows in a circular motion using the soft brush
  • Rinse off the doors with water
  • Repeat as necessary

FAQs

1. Can I use WD-40 to clean the other parts of my bathroom?

Ans. Yes, it can be used to remove any stains on your sink and toilet, in addition to the shower doors.

2. Can WD-40 remove limescale?

Ans. For tough or thick mineral build-ups, WD-40 can be effective. You’ll need to use a scrubber with the WD-40. Make sure you use one that won’t damage glass.

3. Will WD-40 damage the caulk in my bathroom?

Ans. Yes, the WD-40 will eat away at the silicone caulk in your flooring. If you have silicone caulk on your shower floor, make sure to cover the floor before cleaning the shower doors.

About the author

Elizabeth Fincher

Elizabeth started her career as an interior design artist at a multinational interior design farm. She completed her masters degree from the University of North Texas back in 2010. She was also a Spelling Bee runner-up when she was 14. She took interest in bathroom interior designing after joining her first job. Later she started her own firm as an independent artist. She’s been one of the founding members of Toiletsguide. She examines the design and ergonomics of the units we review and directs the interior decoration team of our in-house research facility. Elizabeth plays piano masterfully and always finds time to entertain us in between our busy schedules.

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