DIY Cleaning Methods for Shower

 

How to Clean Your Shower with Lemon Juice and Salt

 

• Gather your supplies: You’ll need a couple of fresh lemons, a small bowl of table salt (regular, not coarse), a soft sponge or microfiber cloth, and a cup of warm water for rinsing. If you have sensitive skin, consider wearing gloves—lemon juice can sting cuts or scrapes.

 

• Prep the lemons: Cut a lemon in half. Squeeze a bit of juice onto the cut side, then dip that side into your bowl of salt. The salt will stick to the lemon, creating a scrubby surface.

 

• Start scrubbing: Use the lemon half as your cleaning tool. Rub it directly onto shower surfaces—tiles, glass doors, and chrome fixtures. The salt acts as a gentle abrasive, while the lemon juice helps loosen soap scum and water spots. For corners or grout lines, you can use an old toothbrush dipped in the lemon-salt mix.

 

• Let it sit: For stubborn spots, let the lemon juice and salt mixture sit for about 5 minutes. This gives the citric acid in the lemon time to work on mineral deposits and soap residue.

 

• Rinse thoroughly: Wipe down the area with a damp sponge or cloth, then rinse with warm water. Make sure to remove all salt and lemon residue, as leftover juice can leave a sticky film or attract more grime.

 

• Dry the surfaces: Use a clean, dry towel or microfiber cloth to buff the shower dry. This helps prevent new water spots and keeps things looking fresh.

 

• Extra tip: If you’re cleaning glass shower doors, follow up with a dry microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish. For metal fixtures, a quick buff with a dry cloth can help maintain their shine.

 

 

What You’ll Need

 

• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, 70% or less): This is the clear stuff you find in the first aid aisle. It evaporates quickly and helps break down soap scum and water spots.
 
• Water: Tap water is fine. You’ll be diluting the alcohol to make it less harsh on surfaces and your nose.
 
• Spray bottle: Any clean, empty spray bottle will do. Make sure it’s labeled so nobody mistakes it for something else.
 
• Microfiber cloth or soft sponge: Microfiber is great because it grabs onto grime instead of just pushing it around.
 
• Gloves (optional): Rubbing alcohol can dry out your skin, so gloves are a good idea if you’re cleaning a big area.

 

How to Mix Your Solution

 

• Pour equal parts rubbing alcohol and water into your spray bottle. For example, fill halfway with water, then top off with rubbing alcohol.
 
• Give it a gentle shake to mix. That’s it—no need to overthink it.

 

How to Use on Your Shower

 

• Start with a dry surface. If your shower is wet, give it a quick wipe-down first. The solution works best on dry glass, tile, or acrylic.
 
• Spray generously. Mist the solution over glass doors, tile walls, and chrome fixtures. Avoid spraying directly onto grout if you have colored grout, as alcohol can sometimes cause fading over time.
 
• Let it sit for a minute or two. This gives the solution time to loosen up soap scum and water spots.
 
• Wipe with a microfiber cloth or soft sponge. Use a little elbow grease on stubborn spots, but don’t go wild—microfiber does most of the work for you.
 
• Rinse with water if needed. If you notice any streaks or residue, a quick rinse or wipe with a damp cloth will clear it up.
 
• Dry with a clean towel. This helps prevent new water spots from forming and leaves everything looking fresh.

 

Extra Tips from the Field

 

• Ventilation is your friend. Rubbing alcohol has a strong smell, so crack a window or run the bathroom fan while you clean.
 
• Test first. If you’re not sure how your shower surface will react, test the solution on a small, hidden spot before going all in.
 
• Skip the fancy extras. You don’t need to add essential oils or other ingredients—plain alcohol and water do the job just fine for basic cleaning.