EXPERT ADVICE
What's the best way to clean a shower?
Updated 05/26
By: Olivia Scammell
Reviewed: Kim Staples
Ever wanted to know the best way to clean a shower? Stop wasting time staring at those watermarks, that dirty grout, and the faucets covered in limescale. These shower cleaning tips are going to tell you everything you need to know about keeping your bathroom grime-free.
The best equipment for cleaning a shower
Cleaning techniques for shower heads
Tips for cleaning shower screens
How to clean grouting
Ways of hiring someone to clean for you
Costs to expect
Frequently asked questions about cleaning showers
The whole point of a shower is to feel clean afterwards. However, when your shower head rains limescale into your freshly washed hair, it's hardly the spa experience you were hoping for.
We understand the struggle, which is why we've asked our experts for their tried and true methods to ensure your shower room shines all year long.
Best cleaning supplies for cleaning a shower
To get your shower sparkling, the first thing you need is the right tools. Here's a list of what you'll need for a basic clean:
Rubber gloves
White vinegar
Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
Multipurpose bathroom cleaner
Small scrubbing brush, toothbrush, or sponge
Clean clothes, preferably cotton
Microfibre cloths
To give the shower head, grouting, and screen a proper clean, you may also need:
Squeegee
Sandwich bags
Lemon juice
Industrial water stain remover or limescale remover
Now we've got our shower cleaning supplies and equipment, let's put them to use!
How to clean a shower
It's good hygiene and practice to regularly clean a shower. At the most basic level, give your shower a quick once-over once a week:
Spray the surfaces and faucets with a multipurpose spray.
Scrub them with a sponge.
Rinse off the residue.
It's also worth drying your tiles using a cloth or towel to avoid watermarks.
Despite the purpose of a shower, they're hotbeds for mildew, bacteria and grime if left unwashed for too long. So as well as a quick basic clean, it's also beneficial to regularly clean the shower head, shower glass, and grout.
Another option is to hire a domestic cleaning service to give your shower and bathroom the deep-clean it deserves.
Best way to clean a shower head
There are several 'best practice' methods for cleaning a showerhead. Let's take a look at two of them.
Method one: How to clean a shower head with vinegar
This popular method is a tried and tested way to clean your showerhead:
Take a sandwich bag or plastic container and fill it with white vinegar.
If you can remove your showerhead, pop it in the vinegar solution and leave it to soak for around half an hour if it's brass (no longer) or an hour for all other materials.
If your showerhead is harder to remove, secure the plastic sandwich bag around it with an elastic band or clip.
Set a timer for the appropriate amount of time.
Once the time is up, rinse, scrub, and reattach the showerhead.
Run the hot water until it runs clean.
Stand back and admire the shine.
How to clean a shower head and remove limescale
Is your shower head looking a bit worse for wear? It might not be time for a replacement just yet! Follow these steps to get your shower head looking sparkling and new.
Method two: How to clean a shower head with bicarbonate of soda
Ideal for baking cakes and cleaning your house, bicarbonate of soda (aka baking soda), is a natural and multi-purpose antibacterial agent that's also environmentally friendly.
To clean a showerhead using baking soda, all you need to do is:
Mix bicarbonate of soda with a small amount of water to make a paste.
Scrub this paste on the showerhead with a toothbrush or other bristled brush until the limescale dislodges.
Rinse with warm water and lemon juice (for a fresh scent).
Dry the area with a paper towel.
For better results, or particularly stubborn limescale, you can also leave the paste on for half an hour to loosen the limescale first.
Find a cleaner to deep-clean your bathroom
Best way to clean shower glass
If you don't regularly squeegee your shower area after using it and haven't invested in a water softener, your shower is likely suffering from dreaded watermarks.
These dusty looking spots are the bane of every hard-water household; however, there's a quick and easy way to get rid of them.
How to clean your shower screen
Add an equal amount of white vinegar and warm water to an empty spray bottle.
Spray your shower glass and any affected areas, coating it completely.
Leave for ten minutes to do its job..
Take a soft cloth (preferably cotton) and wipe down the area until the stains disappear
Add more mixture as required.
Once clean, use a squeegee to remove any excess moisture before buffing the screen with a microfibre cloth.
If the watermarks are stubborn, a more industrial water stain remover might be needed
In this case, wear gloves and open all your windows before applying the spray, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
How to clean shower glass
Bring your bathroom back to life with our guide on how to clean shower glass. With tips for removing marks and limescale using vinegar, toothpaste and baking soda.
Best way to clean grout in shower
Cleaning shower tile grout is a daunting task.
The unsightly and discoloured areas between tiles are persistent and hard to remove, especially when they turn black due to an overgrowth of mould or mildew.
For mild jobs, a solution using baking soda, vinegar, warm water and elbow grease are all it takes.
For jobs that require extra cleaning power, an industrial grout cleaner is your best bet.
In this case (and due to the chemicals involved), it's always worth hiring a tile and grout cleaner to tackle the job.
They have the expertise when it comes to this type of project
They'll make sure your grout and tiles aren't damaged by prolonged exposure to more industrial cleaning agents
However, if you'd still like to tackle this job yourself, make sure you read our how to clean grout article for the complete low-down and recommended safety precautions.
How to clean grout in 5 steps
Discover how professionals clean grout in our guide to cleaning bathroom grout, including how to clean floor tile grout and how to remove grout.
How to hire a cleaner to deep-clean your shower
If the job is just too daunting, you haven't got the right equipment, or simply don't have the time, it's quick and easy to hire a cleaner to take on the task for you.
To get started, just enter your postcode. We'll show you the Checkatrade cleaners who offer cleaning services in your area, so you can compare your options and reach out for quotes.
Find a cleaner to deep-clean your bathroom
The quality of work is really excellent - we are continually impressed by the work our wonderful cleaner manages to do within only 2 hours. She pays so much attention to detail and goes above and beyond to make our flat beautifully clean and tidy... Highly recommend!
- Lucy E, review of Checkatrade member Ela's Cleaning and Ironing Services Ltd
Cost to clean a shower
For basic cleaning, most cleaning companies will charge around £25 per hour. However, for jobs that require extra equipment or specialist products, expect to pay more.
Regardless, hiring a trusted cleaner means you have the peace of mind that your shower room is in good hands.
FAQs about cleaning your shower
White vinegar is often considered the best way to clean a shower head. You can also try bicarbonate of soda, descaling solution, or multipurpose bathroom cleaning products.
Yes, you can take most normal shower heads apart to clean them. Most models let you unscrew the faceplate, making cleaning straightforward - though others may require a spanner or pliers to disassemble.
Cleaning a stone stream shower head is easier than it looks. Just detach the head, soak it in white vinegar, then scrub with a toothbrush or small brush and rinse thoroughly.
Yes, it really does! White vinegar is very effective at tackling limescale, as it can break it down easily without causing damage to the shower head itself.
It's also wise to follow up with an antibacterial spray.
The best and simplest way to clean tile grout in your shower is to make a paste with bicarbonate of soda and water, spread it onto the grouting, and give it a good scrub with a brush or sponge.
The best way to clean a waterfall shower head, without going to the hassle of detaching it, is to add white vinegar to a large sandwich bag or freezer bag. Tie it around the head with an elastic band or other tie, leave it to soak, then lightly scrub with a brush.
Then just rinse it off and run the water until it's clear.
Black shower heads aren't any harder to clean than any other kind - but they do tend to show water spots and limescale more easily than chrome, for instance. Therefore, you may need to clean a black shower more regularly.
You can clean a walk-in shower the same way you clean any other shower - using white vinegar, a multipurpose bathroom cleaner, and a bit of elbow grease.
The only difference is that it takes a little longer! A long-handled or extendable scrubber can make the job go much quicker.
Look out for daily shower sprays, or any kind of 'leave in' bathroom cleaning product. All you need to do with these is spray them on, leave them for a while to work their magic, then rinse off.
More Cleaning Services Articles
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job