How to Clean Shower Door Tracks: A Simple Guide
If you’ve ever cringed at the sight of grimy shower door tracks, you’re not alone. For years, I avoided cleaning mine, unsure of how to tackle the mineral deposits and limescale buildup. After doing some research and finally deciding to take action, here’s the method I used to restore my shower door tracks to a sparkling clean state.
Step 1: Use Vinegar to Loosen Grime
I started with the easiest solution: vinegar. It’s an effective and inexpensive cleaner that works wonders on mineral deposits. Here’s how I used it:
- Plugged the drain holes in my shower tracks with paper towels to prevent the vinegar from draining out too quickly. (A thicker cloth might work better, though.)
- Poured vinegar into the tracks and let it sit for about 30 minutes to loosen the grime.
- After 30 minutes, I removed the paper towels and wiped down the tracks with a clean paper towel. Most of the dirt came off right away!
- For stubborn areas, I used an old toothbrush to scrub the corners and hard-to-reach spots. I also soaked a paper towel with vinegar and gently shoved it under the shower door to clean the track underneath.
Step 2: Tackle Mineral Build-Up with Baking Soda
Next, I used baking soda to address the mineral build-up, which was more stubborn:
- I mixed baking soda with a bit of water to form a paste.
- Applied the paste to the tough mineral deposits around the top and sides of the tracks and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Wiped it away with a wet rag. Much of the build-up came off, but some areas needed more effort.
- For the toughest spots, I used a metal scraper to gently chip away the build-up, reapplying the baking soda paste as needed.
It took some elbow grease, but eventually, the tracks were free of the mineral deposits that had accumulated over the years.
Final Thoughts
By using simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, I was able to clean years of neglect from my shower door tracks. It wasn’t a quick task, but the results were worth the effort. If your shower tracks are looking grimy, this method is a great starting point. Just be prepared to put in a little elbow grease, especially if there’s heavy mineral buildup.
