Shower Cleaning Question

Updated on March 26, 2008
C.H. asks from Lewisville, TX
26 answers

We are re-doing our shower and want to reuse the glass. Problem is, at the bottom, there is what we think to be calcium/lime build up (21 years worth) We cannot get it clean though! Here's what we have tried: Kaboom, Bam, Comet, CLR, Steel Wool, nail polish remover, car buffing compound. Nothing has even shown a slight sign of getting rid of it!

Any idea what might get rid of it?

3 moms found this helpful

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B.B.

answers from Dallas on

You can use bleach. That is my best friend. It works on anything. You can use just plain bleach with a toothbrush to clean or a scrubbing brush or I use the soft scrub with bleach and it is awesome.

B.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

my grandmother and my mother have always used vinegar to clean the bathroom for: the faucet, in and around the tub, shower doors (glass) and shower head. Vinegar eats at the calcium deposits.

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B.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C.,

Use white vinegar... it will stink but this will definitely take it off. You'll have to apply it several times with a soft cloth, let it stand and scrub then rinse and do again.

We've had great success with this.

Bev S.

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J.D.

answers from Dallas on

If you can get it out and soak it, try vinegar. I have burned many a pot of water where the black residue ends up in the bottom of the pan. Vinegar takes it right off.

GL!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

I bet the other posters are right -- it's probably etched into the glass. I have actually done a good job with this is the past with Lime-A-Way and a razor blade. This was before it came in a spray bottle and it seemed stronger than the spray stuff. I left it to soak for a couple of hours, reapplying every so often so that it never dried out. Then used the razor blade. More recently I have been using a product called "Scrub Free" Oxy. It's pretty remarkable, but you've gotta let it sit for awhile. The thing is, if it's etched, it'll always look old. :(

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

You have to use something acidic. The best product I've ever seen for cleaning that is called "Ring King". I used to be able to get it at hardware stores. It was designed to get the ring out of the toilet but would work on that as well.

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C. -

My father used to tell me that when he was in the Navy they used to use a solution of salt and water with ice in it. It's abrasive but not enough to scratch glass - I sometimes use it in vases. Good luck.

M.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

21 years worth may be difficult, but for tough soap scum, I use Arm and Hammer magic eraser and it comes right off with a little elbow grease. It may help.

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

Hey there! Tub and Tile from Melaleuca is a wonderful bathroom cleaner, even for the toughest areas!!

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P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Try some WD-40. Spray it on, let it soak for a little bit, then scrub with a sponge that won't scratch the glass. Works great on my shower door, but don't know if it will take care of 21 years worth.

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

I use the Mr. Clean magic eraser on my shower glass. It is the only thing I have found that works.

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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

Try WD-40. Spray it on and allow to soak for about 5 minutes, then scrap build up off with a razor blade. Be careful not to scratch the glass. The job is tedious, so work in small areas, but once cleaned, it looks brand new and can be cleaned in the future by just spraying and wiping with a dry cloth. Good Luck.

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L.B.

answers from Dallas on

The vinegar suggestion is an excellent one. You might also try lemon oil . . . works great on my shower door!

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T.C.

answers from Dallas on

You might want to try ammonia...I know it stinks horribly, but I have used it on lots of tough stuff! Good luck!

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K.A.

answers from Dallas on

Try WD-40. Just put some on a paper towel or cloth and rub rub rub. It worked for me.

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D.M.

answers from Dallas on

Likely the glass is etched. If your drinking glasses look cloudy even though they have just come out of the dishwasher then your water has etched them. There are often chemicals in the water that actually damage the glass over the years and there is really nothing that can fix it. Now, if you are still thinking it could be soap film you could try lemon oil, just make sure to wash it off well since citrus will etch also but the lemon oil will lift the soap film if that is what it is.

D. M

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P.T.

answers from Dallas on

I second the "magic eraser". It worked wonders on my shower glass.

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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

I always take vinegar, warm it in the microwave, spray on the shower and let sit for 15 minutes. Then I take Borax (found in the laundry detergent section), sprinkle on a sponge covered in plastic mesh, and scrub! If you've had years of build up it may take a few applications. Good luck!

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L.T.

answers from Dallas on

Soak in white wine vinegar--stinky but it works.

L.

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

I had 3 yrs worth when I moved into my new house. It took me a few weeks but I used a steam cleaner and paint scraper, careful not to scratch the glass also someone told me to try the Mr. Clean sponge. Try it and good luck. I am sure you are probably removing layers. That is basically what I did.

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C.M.

answers from Dallas on

CLR is the ONLY thing that gets off our hard water spots in the shower. It works for us everytime! What if you really pour the CLR on and leave it to soak for a couple of hours under some dampened clothes? Then, go back with a teflon scubber and try again. If this doesn't work, then I would highly recommend a wonderful place called "Addison Glass" in Addison at 35 and Whitlock. They can cut any size or thickness of glass to your specs! Good luck!

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

Amway has a glass cleaner with a mild abrasive that is excellent! Try it.
A.

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

It's probably etched so there's not much you can do about it. Are you in North Fort Worth by any chance? We have a high mineral content in our water and that will do it. We've had to replace our heating element in our electric water heater and the water valve in our washing machine because there's so much build up and the water doesn't shut off into the machine every time. We've only lived in our house for 4 years and the plumber that fixed our water heater told me it's a common problem around here.

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T.L.

answers from Dallas on

Try The Magic Erasers, they will take off anything!
Love that product....
T.

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H.B.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried "Magic Eraser" by Mr. Clean?? It worked great on my shower door. The soap scum came off very easily.

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S.S.

answers from Dallas on

try a semi wet sheet of bounce it does wonders

shelley s

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