The Simple Maintenance Task That Helps Prevent Buildup In Your Glass Shower

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Glass showers provide a contemporary and sophisticated appearance to your bathroom by allowing more light to come through, thus creating a more spacious feel. Available in different glass types, including clear, frosted, tinted, and opaque, there are even several kinds of frames that can be used, allowing for a unique, customized look. Although you can use a bathroom essential to leave glass shower doors clean and shiny,  another way to keep the panels from collecting too much soap scum and hard water stains is to use a water repellent.

Because of their frequent use, glass showers get dirty relatively quickly. In addition, if they're not cleaned often or there's insufficient ventilation, glass showers can also become infested with mildew and mold, due to the damp and humid conditions in the bathroom. While using regular cleaning products on the glass panels can remove the dirt, this does not provide enough defense to prevent hard water stains, and a new cycle of dirt build-up. This is why using a water-repellent treatment is ideal, as it gives the glass additional protection from scum and water stains.

Water repellent treatments protect glass by creating a hydrophobic barrier that binds with its surface. The repellent causes the water to form beads that just slide off the glass surface. Made from a combination of specialized water-resistant compounds, including isopropanol, alcohol derivatives, and acetone, these treatments are simple to use and can last for more than a month after application. Additionally, their protective and slick layer makes the glass clearer and easier to clean without leaving streaks.

To maximize the effectiveness of the water repellent treatment, it is crucial to first properly clean the glass shower doors and panels using the correct techniques and materials. This preparation ensures that the glass surface is free from dirt or hard water deposits that can impede the cohesive bonding of the product to the glass. Once the glass shower is clean, the surface must be completely dry before using the treatment, which can be done by spraying directly onto the surface or by using a clean cloth to apply to the glass. Next, the treatment should be spread thoroughly on the glass surface by wiping the cloth in even circular motions. Lastly, let it dry and use another cloth to buff and remove blurry spots.

There are several kinds of glass water repellent treatments, including the popular spray-on type like Rain-X,  and the ceramic-based types, like the Lifeproof ceramic coating spray. In addition, product application methods can vary, as some brands are available in a spray bottle, wipes, or squeeze bottle form, like the Rain-X original formula 7 ounce bottle. 

Glass showers are an important bathroom feature, and regular cleaning and maintenance is important to preserve their appearance. Using commercial products or alternatives, like a DIY streak-free glass cleaner, are vital in preventing dirt and scum from accumulating, This can be harder to remove if not tended to right away. To give glass showers a more complete and longer-lasting clean, the addition of water repellent treatments as part of their maintenance should be considered, given their many benefits and low cost to use.