How to remove scum and dirt from old shower doors

Janice McCrea
by Janice McCrea
I found a set of shower doors in my garage when we moved into our house. The doors are in good shape but in need of a good cleaning. I have washed the dirt off but the scum remains. Any advise as how to clean them would be useful.

  12 answers
  • Amanda Amanda on Feb 27, 2018

    HI Janice. I make a paste with baking soda and vinegar. Then I scrub in on and rinse. I sometimes have to go over really bad areas a few times.

    • Janice McCrea Janice McCrea on Mar 01, 2018

      Thanks. You are the second person to suggest this idea so it must work. Will try it today.

  • Linda Cremer Linda Cremer on Feb 27, 2018

    Use lime away....it will take the scum off

    • Janice McCrea Janice McCrea on Mar 01, 2018

      I have used lime away in my toilet but never on shower doors. Will have to see if it works on my shower doors.

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Feb 27, 2018

    I'd try CLR - gets rid of calcium, Lime and Rust ( mineral deposits ) but ... if the glass is ETCHED thru years of hard water contact you won't be able to get it really 'clear' again ... the surface of the glass has been damaged.

  • Sandra M. Willis Sandra M. Willis on Feb 27, 2018

    Try a single edge razor blade and some soft steel wool. Lots of work, but sometimes that's the only way when it has built up over time.

  • Susan krom Susan krom on Feb 27, 2018

    Lately i have been using the Mr. Clean Dry Erase sponges. Just the right amount of roughness.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 27, 2018

    white vinegar and water 50/50 and a dab of blue dawn dish soap

  • Fix It Jen Fix It Jen on Feb 27, 2018

    Hot water, vinegar and dish soap! Let it soak then use a scrubby pad to really get it off.

  • Kelly Denoyer Russell Kelly Denoyer Russell on Feb 28, 2018

    Before you put them up try suggested ideas altho I would caution on dry erase sponges. They scratch wood so I would worry they would scratch glass. I’d soak in CLR. Spray or wet rags and let soak for an hour or two. If they do not clean up they are permanently etched from minerals in the water. This happens to my glasses in my dishwasher. I’m guessing that is your case too and why they were removed.

  • Janice McCrea Janice McCrea on Mar 01, 2018

    Thanks for the idea. Do you mix baking soda in with the vinegar and soap?

    Several people have suggested making a past using vinegar and baking soda.

  • Janice McCrea Janice McCrea on Mar 01, 2018

    Thanks for the suggestion. Mr. Clean Dry Erase sponges didn't begin to remove the grim on the shower doors. I do however, use the sponges on my tub several times a week and the they work great.

  • Janice McCrea Janice McCrea on Mar 01, 2018

    Thanks for your suggestion. Will try but since I have textured doors I'm not sure it will work. Perhaps the steel wool will get in the areas the razor blade won't reach. One never knows until one tries.

  • Shore grandmom Shore grandmom on Mar 01, 2018

    Once you get it clean, keep it clean with rain-x once a month. Then squeegee after each shower.