We explain to you all about the 4 areas you should know and clean regarding the shower area. This is the second article from MEIDE.SG on how to clean (yes, really clean, or deep clean) your bathroom!
If you have not already read about the 7 Parts of the Toilet Bowl, read our first article here! Or simply review all our articles in our toilet deep cleaning series:
How To Clean:
- The Toilet Bowl
- The Shower Area
- Toilet Sink Area
- Toilet Windows, Ledges, Blinds
- Bathroom Floor Tiles
- Shower Glass
- Shower Curtains
- The Bathtub
- Shower Drain + Unclog It
- Bathroom Walls
- Bathroom Light Fixtures and Doors
- Bathroom Cabinets, Shelves and Fixtures
- Bathroom Mirror and Vanity Area
- Bathroom Faucets and Taps
- Sink Traps / Bottle Traps
Otherwise, let us get straight to the point: here are 4 shower areas you should always clean.
1. General Shower Area
Shower Areas Come In Many Designs
A shower area is often demarcated apart from the rest of the toilet. In fact, a wide variety of different designs exists. Hence, having an idea of your exact shower area design is really helpful to plan the cleaning of this area.
For instance, the shower area may be part of the bathtub for some washrooms. For others, the shower area may be isolated by floor to ceiling glass panels. Furthermore, a shower area is subjected to large amounts of water flow. Hence, it frequently requires a floor area that is lower than the rest of the washroom. This area, called the shower pan, can be depressed or sloping downwards towards the drain. As an alternative, some bathrooms use an elevated barrier on the ground. Lastly, a shower area may contain ledges or corners to hold shampoo and soap bottles. Before proceeding to clean the shower area, make sure you have the right tools to be able to reach the corners and different parts of the shower area!
Shower Panels, Walls and Flooring
For a detailed description of how to clean the shower area walls, flooring and glass panels – refer to our blog articles on how to clean the toilet walls, floorings and glass panels. Do note that besides the shower area, there are definitely many other areas in the bathroom, with flooring, walls and glass panels, to be wiped!
However, do take note that the shower area is the number one place for mold and germs to grow. Therefore, scrubbing and wiping this area should take extra effort. MEIDE recommends using concentrated detergents and bleach to achieve this. The cleaning detergents should be left on for an extended duration, as much as possible to completely erase off dirt and scum. To remove mold from the shower area, use a special mold removal detergent! Alternatively bleach and vinegar, as explained in our article here, works wonders too!
The Toilet Drain
Edit: As this section can be tedious, we have incorporated all information into a separate article here – https://meide.sg/how-to-clean-and-unclog-shower-drain/
As part of the shower area, do not forget to clean the toilet drain! First of all, use a double-gloved hand and some toilet paper to pick up and toss away all dirt and hair. A large amount may have accumulated over the drain. If the drain comes with a net or cover, rinse it and remove it.
Next, consider using an unclogging agent to break down the remaining stubborn dirt and debris. You could also disperse generous amounts of baking soda powder over the drain and its surfaces, followed by spraying white distilled vinegar over it, to unclog the toilet drain.
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Finally, use a strong cleaning detergent, or bleach, to scrub and clean the external and internal parts of the drain. Do this for all the drains in other parts of the washroom too!
2. The Shower Head
In general, there are two common types of shower heads – one that is above head (i.e. rain shower), and another that is handheld. Cleaning of the rain shower is more challenging. It would require a ladder and cleaning tools to be able to reach the upper surface of it. Do ensure the shower area floor is kept dry to avoid slippage and accidental falls!
Otherwise, cleaning the shower head is fairly simple. Because most of the shower heads and its accessories are made of PVC, plastic or metal, the cleaning target would be that of water rings, stains, rust and mold. Use a toilet cleaning detergent targeted at stain and rust removal, combined with a damp wet cloth or sponge to wipe down.
Start with the shower head and handle itself. Subsequently, work your way to the hose, the attachment points, the holder (usually wall mounted), and finally the tap and faucets. In no time, all your apparatuses would be shiny and sparkling clean! A good measure of how effective your cleaning has been, is how clearly you can see your own facial reflection in the finish.
3. How To Clean The Shower Curtains
Edit: As this section can be tedious, we have incorporated all information into a separate article here – https://meide.sg/shower-curtains-cleaning!
Step One: Clean The Parts of Your Shower Curtain Set
First up, ascertain the floor is dry, before placing a ladder and climbing up to reach the ceiling track. Begin cleaning your shower curtains by removing them from the hooks or rings. At this juncture, do a wipe down and sanitization of the hooks, rings and track too.
Step Two: Clean Your Shower Curtain By Soaking It or Using Washing Machine
Next, toss the entire shower curtain into a pail of diluted vinegar or bleach. (Caution: never mix both simultaneously!) We recommend using 1 part of the active chemical to 2 parts of water. This ratio can be made more concentrated for stronger cleansing power. Use hot water for an added sanitization effect. Leave it to soak for about ten to twenty minutes. As required, scrub and brush the shower curtain to mechanically loosen grime and mildew.
If your curtain is colorful or fabric, be careful when opting for bleach as this may alter the cosmetic appearances at the end of cleaning. Additionally, if your shower curtain is machine washable (read the label!), you can save some energy! Simply pour normal laundry detergent and one cup of baking soda directly into the washer’s drum. Add some purely white colored laundry to the load to facilitate better washing. Then, turn on the wash cycle with the highest (preferably 90 degree celsius or more) temperature. At the rinse cycle, add in one cup of white distilled vinegar.
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Step Three: Sun Dry Your Shower Curtain
Rinse thoroughly and hang up to dry. At MEIDE, we strongly encourage using the strong sunlight to dry items, as the ultraviolet rays have great germ-busting properties too! Thereafter, consider spraying or wiping it down with disinfectant sprays or alcohol.
4. Wash Your Bathtubs
Edit: As this section can be tedious, we have incorporated all information into a separate article here – https://meide.sg/how-to-clean-the-bathtub/
For the lucky ones with a bathtub in your shower area, this section is for you! Thankfully, cleaning a bathtub is less tricky than other parts of the toilet. However, depending on the size and intricacies of your bathtub design, the cleaning process may take longer than usual. This is because bathtubs are usually the largest item in the bathroom.
Step One: Wipe Down The Components Of Your Bathtub, Including The Drain!
Again, start by wiping down the faucets, taps, hoses, just like how you have cleaned the shower head and components (see above). Do not neglect these! Remember to clean out the drain too (refer to the section on cleaning the toilet drain).
Step Two: Use Dish Soap or Detergent Over Your Entire BathTub
Now, you can start by wiping down the entire bathtub, from the most external to the most internal portion. MEIDE recommends wiping it radially towards the drain outlet. If you have a specialized bathtub cleaning detergent, use it. Otherwise, simply use any multi-purpose detergent or dish soap, diluted in a bucket of water. Start by soaking up the foam with a wet large sponge. For your convenience, use one with a handle for easier manipulation. Cover the entire bathtub with this soapy detergent. Then, leave it to sit for ten to twenty minutes. This helps to degrease the bathtub. Rinse the soap all away.
Step Three: Remove Stubborn Stains From Your Bathtub
To remove mold and stubborn stains, repeat the process with diluted vinegar or bleach. (Do not mix both, ever!) For added effectiveness, if you have covered the bathtub with vinegar, you could sprinkle baking soda powder over areas for an “explosive” cleaning mechanism. Once again, scrub down the entire bathtub, and then rinse it all away with clean water. Your tub should be as shiny as fine porcelain now!
Never Take For Granted Your Showering Area
Now that you have fully learnt the 4 showering areas, read on to our upcoming subsequent article on Sinks, Mirrors, and the Vanity Areas!
If you have forgotten certain stuff, do not hesitate to go back up and re-read, or return to our precedent article on how to clean the toilet bowl!