No one likes to bathe in a tub that hasn’t been cleaned, yet how many of us hop in the same shower day after day without cleaning it at all?
It’s time to tackle this chore like a pro. TODAY Home asked cleaning coaches Leslie Reichert and Glenn Angelora, owners of The Grout Guy in Farmington, New York, for advice on how to clean a shower, clean a shower head and clean shower glass. Both suggest that the shower needs a little daily TLC and a good cleaning once a week. Shower care is just as much about prevention as it is about cleaning.
Since a dark, damp environment is perfect for growing mold, mildew and germs, you can minimize funk by leaving the shower as dry as possible when you’re finished. After every use, Reichert suggests taking the following steps:
OXO Good Grips Wiper Blade Squeegee, $10, Amazon
This squeegee is the No. 1 bestseller on Amazon. Its wide blade allows a larger area to be covered and it features a rotating hook for easy storage.
Even though you do your best to keep the shower dry, it’s inevitable that some moisture will remain. Left untouched, this moisture can form slime, mold and mildew that's not only unsightly and stinky, it’s downright unhealthy.
To nip that problem in the bud, spray the entire shower two to three times a week with a well-diluted shower cleaner or full-strength distilled white vinegar with a few drops of tea tree oil. Reichert suggests one drop of oil to every 2 ounces of vinegar. The vinegar combats scum and slime; the tea tree oil fights mildew and mold. Allow it to air dry. As always, follow the manufacturer’s directions for your particular surface.
Note: Do not use vinegar on travertine or stone.
Tilex Clorox Plus Bathroom Cleaner, $4, Walmart
This cleaner can be used on most surfaces in the bathroom including bathtubs, shower doors and walls, shower curtains, toilets, counters and sinks.
Lucy's Family Owned Distilled White Vinegar, $12, Amazon
Feel free to go for the larger size; vinegar can be used to clean almost anything in the house!
Tea Tree Oil, $15, Amazon
This tea tree essential oil is an antibacterial for use around the home, on the skin and more.
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Durable, Cleaning Pads, $12, Amazon
Simply wet the eraser, squeeze the excess water out and scrub off grime.
StoneTech Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer for Stone and Masonry, $40, Amazon
This natural-look sealer repels water from stone and grout with little odor. The brand says that one bottle can easily cover up to 250 square feet, so it should be able to last a while.
Rain-X 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellant, $19, Amazon
Once the glass is clean, just spray this on and wipe away to repel water — no buffing required.
You may be adding to your shower’s problems without realizing it. Did you know opaque bar soap leaves behind soap scum? It sure does. Make the switch to liquid body wash or shower gel and soap scum will be a thing of the past.
Is the grout in your shower turning pink, green or some other unusual color? Check out your shampoo’s ingredient list. If it contains dyes, consider switching to one without added color. According to Angelora, the colors in these products can stain grout.
Where you keep bath products in the shower is also a factor in the growth of slime and mildew. Is your shampoo, conditioner and body scrub stored on the floor of the shower? Bad idea. This allows water to collect under them and become a breeding ground. It’s better to keep them on a shelf or a shower caddy that does not have a solid bottom.
This story was originally published on May 27, 2016.