How to Clean a Fiberglass Shower — Toronto Home Guide

Fiberglass and acrylic shower enclosures scratch easily — once scratched, the surface is dull, holds grime, and is much harder to clean. The right products make all the difference.

Weekly Clean

1. Spray the entire shower surface with a daily shower spray or a diluted white vinegar solution (1:1 with water)
2. Let sit for 2–3 minutes
3. Wipe down with a soft microfibre cloth — no scrubbing required for maintenance cleaning
4. Rinse

A weekly wipe prevents soap scum and mineral build-up from accumulating to the point where scrubbing is needed.

Removing Soap Scum

1. Apply a cream-based bathroom cleaner (like Soft Scrub without bleach) or a paste of baking soda and dish soap to the affected area
2. Let sit for 5 minutes
3. Wipe with a soft cloth or non-scratch sponge — not a scrubbing pad
4. Rinse thoroughly

Removing Hard Water Stains

1. Saturate a cloth in white vinegar and lay it against the deposit for 15 minutes
2. Wipe clean and rinse
3. For stubborn deposits: apply Bar Keepers Friend liquid (not powder — the liquid is gentler on soft surfaces) and wipe with a soft cloth, rinse immediately

Removing Mildew

1. Spray with a bleach-based bathroom cleaner or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 10 parts water)
2. Let sit 5–10 minutes
3. Wipe and rinse thoroughly
4. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated while using bleach

What to Avoid

• Steel wool, abrasive scrubbing pads, powdered abrasive cleaners — all scratch fiberglass permanently
• Acetone, nail polish remover, paint thinner — dissolve the surface
• Undiluted bleach left on too long — can yellow white fiberglass over time