Re: Soap residue on glass shower door

[The Other Harry]

[On Wed, 9 Jul 2003 10:23:58 -0500, "Bill"
<billl@telcorinc.com> wrote:]

> I clean my bathroom weekly and use a commercial product to remove the soap
> scum from my glass shower door. The commercial product cleans just so-so.
> I think I read on this newsgroup that white vinegar can be used to clean
> away the residual soap. Am I correct? Is there a particular procedure that
> is used or do I just spray it on, then rinse it off?

As to commercial products. I think Consumer Reports rated
Tilex Fresh Shower as the best of them a few years ago. The
key is that you have to use it pretty much daily, and it will
likely take several weeks before you see any results.

Now, you can choose to believe this or not, but my experience
with it has been very good. Excellent, really.

I first tried it out several years ago after the CR article
came out. I was a tenant at the time, and the main bedroom
glass shower enclosure and tile walls were thick with soap
scum which had accumulated over many years. I had tried other
things, including scrubbing with various combinations of
chemicals and pads.

I *hate* soap scum with a passion. I suppose everyone has
their various little cleaning fetishes, and that is one of
mine. I can stand cobwebs, but I canNOT stand soap scum.

Amazingly enough, the Tilex got it. I almost couldn't believe
it. Nothing else had even made a dent.

It *did* take about three weeks of liberal applications before
I saw anything happening, but then things visibly started to
happen. After about six months, my shower enclosure looked
almost like it was new.

That's saying something. I've been hooked on the stuff ever
since. It's one of the few brand-preferences I have.

And, no, I have no affiliation whatsoever with the company.

Good luck!

[Dorot29701]

I have new shower doors in both bathrooms and they came with the recommendation
to use Comet spray. I have found the best thing to do is spray, wipe with a
clean cloth then spray with a bottle of plain white vinegar and water mixed,
and wipe again. The reason for this is that the Comet will cause soap to suds
up if it's on the glass. If there isn't a lot of suds foaming, I skip the
first "wipe" and just spray the vinegar/water mixture on top of the comet. You
can find empty spray bottles at the dollar store. Vinegar/water mix also
cleans a lot of stuff....

Dorothy

[Tom Miller]

On 10 Jul 2003 18:33:30 GMT, dorot29701@aol.com (Dorot29701) wrote:

> | I have new shower doors in both bathrooms and they came with the recommendation
> | to use Comet spray. I have found the best thing to do is spray, wipe with a
> | clean cloth then spray with a bottle of plain white vinegar and water mixed,
> | and wipe again. The reason for this is that the Comet will cause soap to suds
> | up if it's on the glass. If there isn't a lot of suds foaming, I skip the
> | first "wipe" and just spray the vinegar/water mixture on top of the comet. You
> | can find empty spray bottles at the dollar store. Vinegar/water mix also
> | cleans a lot of stuff....
> |
> | Dorothy


I'm in complete agreement with you re the Comet bathroom cleaner
(can't remember the actual name, but it's specifically meant for
bathroom fixtures). I found it recommended (they tested a number of
products for effectiveness/damage) on a website that is for an
industry association of shower enclosure manufacturers. The Comet
works really well and does not damage the aluminum finish on my
enclosure, which is the problem with other sprays I've used. The key
is to spray it on, rub it with a damp cloth if necessary, and then
wipe it off with a clean cloth.

The only reservation I have about it is that I don't really know if it
would take off a buildup of soap scum or mineral deposits that had
accumulated and hardened on the enclosure over time. It's really good
for preventing it, but might not be strong enough to repair it (but
it's worth a try). I've just never had the need to try it -- yet.

Our old shower enclosure, tempered glass with annodized aluminum
frame, became so coated with accumulated mineral deposits that nothing
would clean it. When we replaced it (after 20 years!) I started using
the Comet Bathroom spray stuff which has worked beautifully.

This is NOT Comet cleanser, by the way. It's a Comet spray on foam
product specifically for bathroom fixtures and showers etc.