Streaky and ever-persistent streaks across shower screens are a common cause of frustration amongst households. Because no matter how many times you clean them – they seem to reappear almost immediately.
An expert has shared tips on how to combat the ‘streaky nightmare’ in a cost-effective and simple manner.
Olivia Young, a cleaning expert and product development scientist at Astonish, has shared some cleaning hacks for tackling the common issue of streaky shower screens.
The reasons behind the (seemingly) perennial streaks are the minerals naturally found in the water supply. After you shower, warm moisture lingers in the air, causing the water to evaporate and leaving the minerals behind to ‘set’ on the screen. This problem worsens when these minerals mix with residue from your hair and body products.
To combat this, Olivia suggests a five-step cleaning routine as follows:
1. Gather Your Supplies
The main supplies you need for this easy cleaning routine are a microfiber cloth, a non-abrasive sponge, a squeegee, a daily shower shine, and white vinegar spray.
2. Spray your Screens
For a quick and effective solution, she recommends using a vinegar-based spray cleaner or normal white vinegar in a spray bottle.
The acidity of the vinegar helps break down limescale and soap scum. Simply spray the vinegar all over the screens, focusing particularly on areas most affected by limescale build-up.
3. Scrub with a Non-Abrasive Sponge
Step three involves scrubbing the screen gently with a non-abrasive sponge after the solution has had time to work. Pay particular attention to areas with heavy limescale build-up.
Avoid using abrasive pads or brushes as they can scratch the glass surface.
4. Rinse Thoroughly
The fourth step is to rinse the shower screen thoroughly with clean water once you’ve scrubbed away the limescale. Make sure all product residues are removed to prevent streaking.
5. Dry the Screen
In the fifth step, dry the shower screen completely using a dry, lint-free microfibre cloth. Microfibre is excellent at absorbing water without leaving streaks.
To minimise the need for future deep cleans and to prevent these deposits from returning, maintain your shower screen regularly by using a daily shower shine product. There’s no need to wipe – just spray it on and leave it.
This will help prevent soap scum and limescale build-up. It can be used on baths, washbasins, taps, glazed ceramic tiles and showerheads. Simply spray it on the screen and let it work its magic for 10 minutes daily.
