Your days of dull, cloudy shower screens are about to be over, because we've discovered the best way to clean them and make your bathroom feel like a professional cleaner has spent hours on the job.
While it might seem like a small part of your bathroom design, a dirty shower screen make a big difference on the overall feel of the space – and can even make it appear smaller if it gets particularly murky.
In this step-by-step guide, we've consulted cleaners and bathroom experts to find out how to clean a shower screen, which products could be making it worse, and ways to prevent those pesky watermarks from coming back.
How to clean a shower screen
1. Wipe down your shower after use
The most effective – and easiest – way to clean a shower screen is to do it little and often, advises Kelly Moore, founder of Cleaning with Meaning. You can prevent soap and limescale build-up by wiping it down each time you use it, or by investing in one of the best window vacs for extra ease.
2. Deep clean it every one to two weeks
While a simple daily wipe-down will put you in good stead, you should still make time for a deep clean every one to two weeks.
For gleaming results, Kelly mixes white vinegar with warm water in a 1:1 ratio, sprays it onto the glass, leaves it for a few minutes, then wipes it down with a soft cloth or sponge. She then rinses with warm water and dries it with a microfibre cloth to prevent unwanted streaks.
"I prefer to avoid harsh sprays and rough sponges as they can damage the glass and the seals over time. Gentle, regular cleaning keeps your shower looking fresh without harming your home or the environment," she adds.
Shop our shower cleaning essentials
Microfibre cloths are an essential part of your cleaning toolkit, helping you achieve a streak-free finish.
Suitable for cleaning, cooking, and pickling, this white vinegar kit includes a spray bottle and a 5L refill bottle.
If you're struggling to remove years of limescale build-up, this powerful spray will get the job done.
Kelly Moore is the Founder of Cleaning With Meaning, a Kent-based eco-cleaning business committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services without toxic chemicals or single-use plastics.
How do you get hard water stains off shower screens?
"Hard water stains are caused by limescale, which is best tackled with something mildly acidic," explains Kelly Moore. "White vinegar works really well and is a more sustainable, affordable option than chemical cleaners."
Follow these steps to remove hard water stains from your shower enclosure:
- Spray vinegar directly onto the stained areas, or soak a cloth and press it against the glass
- Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe clean
- For stubborn marks, a sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda can help lift the residue
- Rinse thoroughly and dry the screen afterwards. Drying is just as important as cleaning when it comes to preventing stains from coming back
Can you use Fairy Liquid to clean shower screens?
Yes, Fairy Liquid (or any other washing-up liquid) can be used to lightly clean your shower screen, but it’s not the best solution for limescale or soap build-up, Kelly Moore explains. The formula is designed to cut through grease – not mineral deposits – so you might find it leaves streaks on the glass.
"If you do use it, make sure it is well diluted and rinse thoroughly afterwards. For better results, and a more eco-friendly option, stick to vinegar, plant-based cleaners or natural alternatives that are kinder to both your bathroom and the planet."
If your home has hard water and is prone to limescale build-up, you may want to look into installing a water softener to make cleaning easier.
What should you avoid cleaning a shower screen with?
Now you know the best way to clean a shower screen, but are there any products you should avoid? Yiota Toumba, Senior Designer at Villeroy & Boch Group, advises against using anything that could scratch or wear down the surface, including:
- Abrasive pads
- Scouring creams
- Razor blades
- Strong alkaline or bleach‑based cleaners
Yiota Toumba is a senior designer at Villeroy & Boch Group, which includes Ideal Standard. Blending timeless aesthetics with intelligent functionality and reliable performance, the brand has set standards in bathroom design for more than 120 years. With a versatile product portfolio, Ideal Standard makes smart design solutions accessible to every user and space.
How do you prevent limescale and water marks on a shower screen?
"Limescale and water marks form when mineral‑rich water dries on the glass, so the key is stopping droplets from sitting there for long," explains Yiota Toumba.
Here are some of her top tips for preventing build-up:
- Wiping the screen with a soft cloth or squeegee after each shower
- Good ventilation, such as using an extractor fan or opening a window
- Light, regular cleaning
It might feel like a lot of effort to clean your shower screen after every single use, but this simple habit will make the world of difference to how your bathroom looks and feels.
For more cleaning advice, our guides on how to remove pink mould in the shower and the best way to solve mould in the bathroom include lots of practical tips.
