Basic rules and recommendations for the care of the shower
Many buyers are increasingly using shower cabins to equip their bathroom. To ensure that the product always remains clean and does not lose its original appearance, it is worth regularly cleaning the product. Caring for the structure is not very easy, so you should familiarize yourself with the nuances of cleaning the shower cabin.
Types of pollution
Shower enclosures get dirty very quickly if regular cleaning steps are not taken. There are several main reasons that affect the formation of plaque on the surface of the structure:
- hygiene products (shower gel, shampoo, soap);
- sebum;
- unpurified water, including various impurities.
Various kinds of pollution can form on the walls or tray of the shower cabin - mold, rust, soap stains, grease stains, salt deposits, fungus and others. When choosing a method for cleaning the cabin, it is worth considering whether the dirt is recent or old.
To eliminate contamination of the shower stall, it is worth considering the recommendations of experts:
- To clean fresh dirt, the cleaner must be rinsed off immediately after application to the surface.
- Deep types of dirt need to be treated more carefully, so the cleaner should be left for about 15 minutes after cleaning the cabin. Some manufacturers of cleaning products in the instructions indicate the time it takes to eliminate contamination. After this, the product must be thoroughly washed off.
- If even very strong cleaners do not help to remove the dirt from the surface of the shower, then you should try to remove the stains with a special solution. To make it, you need 100 ml of lemon juice or vinegar per liter of water.
- Perfectly remove stains from an acrylic or metal surface will allow the use of toothpaste. The agent must be applied to the contamination with a thin layer and left for 5 minutes, and then rinsed with water.
- After using the cabin, it is necessary to wipe its surface dry, especially this rule applies to glass. The water contains chlorine and calcium, which, settling on the surface, prevent its shine. If you do not pay attention to this, then over time, precipitation will turn into hard-to-remove stains.
- If the shower cabin is not in use, then its doors must be open. This will avoid high humidity, which is the cause of mold.
- In order not to damage the cabin during cleaning with a special agent, you should carefully study the instructions for plumbing and detergent. For example, some substances do an excellent job of removing stains on glass or plastic, but they are strictly forbidden to be used to clean chrome on metal surfaces.Silver rubbing is ideal for cleaning chrome parts, as it not only adds shine to the surface, but also provides reliable protection against various contaminants.
- Before using the shower cabin for the first time, it is necessary to apply a special agent with water-repellent properties to its surface. This will simplify future cleaning of the product after use.
- Often users of booths are faced with blockage. This problem is due to the fact that dirt and debris, getting into the drain, form a kind of lump that prevents the passage of water. A plunger, a plumbing cable or special household chemicals will help eliminate this problem.
Tools used
For cleaning showers, you can not buy expensive products, because you can use those that are always at hand. In order to choose the right composition for cleaning the cabin, you must first familiarize yourself with the effects of these agents. This will protect the surface of the plumbing equipment from any kind of damage.
To clean the booth, you can use natural products. Toothpaste, citric acid, vinegar, soda, peroxide or Coca-Cola will help to wash off the dirt.
Lemon acid
This tool can be presented in the form of a powder or solution. The choice depends on the surface of the booth. To clean ceramics, you should use a powder. It must be applied to a damp sponge and rub the contaminated places. After using the acid, the surface must be washed with water.
For an acrylic cabin, the use of powder is strictly prohibited.as it may damage the surface by leaving scratches.It is better to prepare a special solution, which will require only a few bags of citric acid per liter of water. It should be applied to a sponge and the surface of the cabin should be cleaned. After 20 minutes, the product can be washed off with water.
Vinegar
Very often, limescale deposits form on the walls of the cabin. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of chemicals to eliminate it, but table vinegar, which is in almost every home, will help eliminate this problem.
To quickly wash the shower stall with vinegar, you must follow these instructions:
- Make a solution of water and vinegar in a ratio of 1: 1.
- It must be applied to the surface of the cabin with a sponge or spray, and then left for 10 minutes for the best effect.
- Next, the cabin must be rinsed with water and wiped dry.
This solution does not affect the brightness and color of the coating, so it can be safely used for regular washing of sanitary ware.
How to wash?
To eliminate various kinds of pollution on the surface of the shower at home, you must follow the recommendations of experts and perform the following algorithm of actions:
- Cleaning a sanitary ware can begin with doors and walls. They can be made of glass or plastic. The latter option requires more frequent cleaning, since the plastic walls and doors very quickly become covered with plaque and become dark.
- If the cabin in the bathroom is located near the wall, then it is necessary to move on to cleaning the ceramic tiles. Ceramic is durable, so it can be cleaned with a variety of alkalis and abrasives.
- After that, you can proceed to washing metal parts (shower, taps).With these elements, you need to be very careful, because when in contact with strong agents, they can lose their luster.
- At the very end of washing the cabin, you can proceed to cleaning the pallet. When choosing cleaning agents, it is necessary to build on what material it is made of. Attention must be paid to the joints, since this is where mold usually forms.
To wash the surface of the shower cabin, you can use various products available in stores, or use proven folk methods. When choosing a product for cleaning dirt on the surface of a sanitary ware, you must consider what you will be fighting.
Lime
An excellent solution in the fight against limescale is the use of a steam generator. It allows not only to get rid of various contaminants, but also disinfects the surface. But this method is not suitable for plastic surface because this material deteriorates under the influence of hot steam.
soap scum
The most common contamination of the surface of the shower cabin are stains from soapy water. To wash the booth, follow the instructions below:
- Regular cleaning. In order to avoid large pollution, it is necessary to wash the cabin after each use. You can get rid of soap scum by using a regular dishwashing detergent. To rinse the walls and tray of the product, it is better to use hot water. The cabin must always be dry, so after cleaning it must be wiped dry.
- Scheduled cleaning. Twice a month, you should clean the shower stall using special products, the choice of which should be made depending on the material of the product.The agent must be applied evenly over the entire inner surface of the cabin with a sponge. After 15 minutes, it should be washed off with hot or warm water, then repeat the procedure, but only using cold water, and wipe dry.
Mold
Mold is very dangerous to health, so at its first manifestations, you should immediately proceed to active actions to eliminate it.
The main secrets to quickly and easily eliminate mold:
- If you use store-bought products, then you should purchase only fungicides. They have a strong effect, so before using them, you should carefully read the instructions.
- A folk method that allows you to eliminate mold manifestations is to use a special solution consisting of ammonia and vinegar in a 1: 1 ratio. It should be applied to contaminated places with a brush. Rinse off the cleanser with a soda solution. To prepare it, you need one teaspoon of soda for one tablespoon of water.
Cleaning glass doors
Most hydroboxes are presented with glass walls, which, with frequent contact with water, lose their original appearance. Glass models can be safely washed using special products to remove dirt from a mirror or glass. They need to be sprayed on the surface of the product, wiped with a sponge and wiped dry. A special scraper can be used to clean the glass cabin. It has a dense elastic band on one side, and a sponge on the other.
A homemade solution is perfect for cleaning glass. In a glass of water, dilute 5 drops of ammonia. This tool is great for removing soap streaks.Some housewives also add 100 ml of glycerin, which allows you to protect the cabin surface from moisture.
Pallet
The tray is always cleaned at the end of washing the entire shower cubicle. To choose the right cleaning agent, it is necessary to build on what material the pallet is made of:
- Acrylic. Do not use products with abrasive particles to clean the acrylic tray, as they can scratch the smooth finish when cleaning. A great solution is to use a whitening toothpaste. It should be applied to the spots and left for 15 minutes. After the paste must be removed with a soft sponge. An excellent alternative is citric acid or juice. This tool should be applied to dirty areas for about half an hour.
- Fake diamond. Such a pallet requires regular cleaning, as it becomes dark over time and loses its original brightness. To clean the artificial stone tray, you can use a toilet cleaner. It must be applied to the surface and after 30 minutes, clean the stains with a brush, and then rinse the pan thoroughly.
- Enamel. It is strictly forbidden to use hydrochloric or sulfuric acid, as well as formaldehyde and alkalis to wash the enameled tray. You can prepare a mushy solution of soda, citric acid and water. It should be applied to the spots and washed off with water after half an hour.
- Tile. Various cleaning liquids and powders are suitable for such a surface. The tiled pallet can be perfectly cleaned with the folk method. To create the product, you will need a bottle of ammonia, 50 ml of vinegar, juice from one lemon and one and a half liters of water. It must be applied to the tiled surface and rubbed a little with a brush.
Mirror
Many showers feature built-in mirrors that require proper maintenance to keep them looking clean and beautiful. To eliminate streaks on the mirror, you can use several methods:
- Apply lemon juice to the surface of the mirror, leave for 10 minutes and wipe the surface thoroughly with a soft cloth.
- You can mix water and ammonia in equal proportions. This tool is ideal for mirror polishing. You can use crumpled newspapers to rub the surface and remove streaks.
- Alcohol-containing products help to cope with black pollution. You can create a solution of water and vodka in a ratio of 10: 1. You need to moisten a cloth with this product and wipe the mirror. Crumpled newspaper will help eliminate stains.
Plumbing
When cleaning a shower cabin, due attention must be paid to the care of plumbing. Chrome steel parts need careful cleaning to avoid scratches. remember, that painted aluminum should not be cleaned with aggressive agentsas this may cause the paint to come off.
Mixer, shower head and faucets are usually made of chrome steel. It is worth using special tools designed for them. Metal parts must be wiped dry after each use of the shower cabin.
If the faucet is covered with a large layer of salt deposits that does not even open, then you should take a rag, after soaking it in vinegar, and wrap the faucet completely, covering it with cling film to prevent the vinegar from evaporating. The tap must be left for three hours, and then cleaned from softened plaque.Vinegar can also be used to remove scale from nickel and chrome parts, rubber gaskets, hoses, drains and faucets.
If the shower head is clogged, then this may be due to the formation of limescale. CilitBang is a good choice.,. You can also use warm vinegar. The solution should be applied to the sprayer and after 20 minutes simply rinse with water. After you need to unscrew the watering can and clean all the holes using a toothpick or a sewing needle.
Tips
In order for the shower cabin to always be clean and last for many years, you need to follow a few simple recommendations from experts.
Acrylic cleaners are ideal for washing shower cabins made of plastic. To wash the glass doors and walls of the product, you can purchase a window cleaner. It must be applied to the surface of the cabin, and then washed off with water after 15 minutes. This procedure will prevent the formation of soap scum.
Experts do not recommend using powder products to clean the shower stall.as they may damage the surface of the product. In order to prevent the formation of pollution, you can use a brush, scraper. Scrapers called rails perfectly help to remove plaque from the surface of the shower cabin. They adhere tightly to the surface and are soft. Cabin cleaning should be done every time after taking a shower.
If you need to eliminate pollution, then you can use folk remedies. The best choice is a solution that consists of water, citric acid and soda. It should be poured into a spray bottle, and then sprayed on the walls of the booth.To prepare a cleaning solution for 200 ml of warm water, you need 20 grams of citric acid and 20 grams of soda. The product is applied for only 10 minutes, after which it must be thoroughly washed off the walls with water. It will add shine to the shower.
In specialized stores, you can buy ready-made products for caring for a shower stall. They allow you to eliminate soap deposits, get rid of lime contaminants.
If the shower cabin has an acrylic coating, then it is necessary to use only products that designed specifically for cleaning acrylic bathtubs. Other cleaners may damage the acrylic finish.
It is very difficult to get rid of mold, so it is better to engage in prevention and not bring it to its formation. The cabin requires regular ventilation, the sealant must be treated regularly with special sprays. If mold still appears, then it is better to replace the old sealant with a new one.
It is better to avoid using chemical solvents, as they can damage the finish of the shower enclosure. They negatively affect the condition of acrylic pallets and plastic walls.
Cabin doors should always be kept ajar. This will allow moisture to evaporate faster and will be an excellent prevention of mold formation. Vinegar is great for fighting rust. It is better to use a spray bottle to use it. After spraying, wash it off with water after half an hour.
After cleaning, the cabin must be wiped dry. This will completely eliminate water droplets that contain chlorine and calcium, because it is these impurities that form limescale after drying.
For information on how to clean a shower cabin without a brush and effort, see the following video.