Keep Your Glass Doors Squeaky With the Best Glass Door Cleaners
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Rejuvenate Scrub Free Soap Scum Remover Glass Door Cleaner -
Rain-X Shower Glass Door Cleaner -
Magic American Shower Glass Door Cleaner -
Chomp Shower Hard Water Stain Remover Glass Door Cleaner -
Buyer's Guide
When you first moved in, your bathroom looked like it came right out of a magazine. Years later, you are still watering the succulents on your sink, cleaning your toilet and tiles but your bathroom has lost its allure. Why is that? Most likely, it is your drab-looking glass shower door with a layer of grime. The key to a pristine bathroom is cleanliness. Glass doors, especially ones in the shower are exposed to the constant spray of soap and hard water. Minerals in the hard water, when combined with soap, form nasty stains which cloud the shower glass door making it look dirty. Soap scum paired with a build-up of mold and rusting corners makes it even more difficult to clean glass doors. You may have tried out soap and water, or vinegar as the last resort to get rid of the revolting stains, but to no avail. But we are here to help! What you need is a glass door cleaner. Following are our top-rated picks along with a guide on the best glass door cleaners in 2022 to help you find the perfect cleaning solution.
The Best Glass Door Cleaners of 2022 in Detail
Rejuvenate Scrub Free Soap Scum Remover Glass Door Cleaner - Best Overall
This spray foam glass door cleaner from Rejuvenate specializes in cleaning away soap scum. An effective formula dissolves the icky layer of soap scum from glass shower doors in 3 minutes after being sprayed on. You can then wipe down the glass door with a cloth or rinse it with water. For harder stains, however, you might need to scrub with a microfiber cloth. The formula is eco-friendly and does not contain any toxic chemicals which might be harsh on your skin. There is a faint, almost unnoticeable scent in it which is mostly pleasant. This glass door cleaner is also multi-purpose as it can be used to clean mirrors, ceramics, tiles, porcelain, and natural stone for streak-free results. However, its results on plastics are received with mixed reviews as there have been complaints of a milky residue being left behind. This glass door cleaner might not be best suited for hard water stains.
Rain-X Shower Glass Door Cleaner - Runner Up
A 12 oz. radiant yellow bottle and effective stain removal from glass are the defining features of the Rain-X shower door cleaner. This glass door cleaner is only made to be used on glass, but that does not reflect on its effectiveness. It easily removes all soap scum stains as well as hard water spots. You will have to pour out this liquid cleaner or a cloth and rub it in the glass door in circular motions. You may have to invest in a scrubbing brush if you have a thick layer of grime on your glass door. The formula is plant-based with no harmful chemicals which might be detrimental to your skin or the environment. This product is also great for prepping your glass door for a better-known product by the same brand: the shower door water repellent.
Magic American Shower Glass Door Cleaner - Honorable Mention
As the name suggests, the Magic shower glass and mirror cleaner gives astounding results. It's multi-purpose, too - this glass door cleaner can be used on glass doors, mirrors, tiles, vanities, and tubs. The cleaning process is also quite straightforward. You simply spray it on the surface you want to be cleaned, wipe it off with a cloth, and voila! Apart from soap scum and hard water stain removal, this glass door cleaner can even remove rust stains and prevent the build-up of mold. When used, it ensures fog-free, water-repellent glass doors for up to 7 days which makes future cleaning so much easier. The effectiveness of this glass door cleaner comes with its drawbacks: the chemicals in this product are harmful, which is why it comes with a California Proposition 65 warning.
Chomp Shower Hard Water Stain Remover Glass Door Cleaner - Contender
The Chomp bathroom gel cleaner leaves glass doors, tiles, sinks, and granite spotless with its naturally derived, effective gel formulation. This glass door cleaner is non-abrasive and non-toxic, with no lung irritants. To clean, simply squeeze some gel on a scour sponge, apply it, and leave it for a few minutes. The effective formula dissolves built-up grime, calcium sediments, and cleans hard water stains. It also decreases the frequency of cleaning because it prevents the build-up of soap scum and mold. After cleaning, this glass door cleaner will leave your bathroom with a refreshing but not overbearing fragrance. This glass door cleaner will not get rid of silica stains on glass.
Buyer's Guide
What are glass door cleaners used for?
Most glass door cleaners are multi-purpose and can be used to clean glass doors, mirrors, ceramics, and tiles. There are multiple types and forms of glass door cleaners available in the market. Even though these might vary in their working mechanism, most good cleaners will get rid of grime, limescale, mold, and soap scum. The better versions of the glass door cleaners leave the glass in an even better condition as they reduce the need to clean the glass often and shield it away from water and mold build-up.
Types of stains
Understanding what is causing your glass doors to look so foggy and stained is key when choosing a glass door cleaner. Many glass door cleaners are specific to the stain type and will not be as effective against other kinds of build-ups.
Soap scum
If hard water is not an issue where you live, and yet your shower looks hazy and dirty, you are dealing with soap scum. Soap scum is the buildup of soap particles mixed with minerals. A waxy, icky substance then tops the surface of your glass door, making it look foggy. If you wipe down the door with a cloth every day, soap scum should not be an issue. However, if you have let the scum build up, you might have to use a good glass door cleaner and a squeegee.
Soap scum if left untreated, can lead to etching and ultimately, shorten the lifespan of your glass door.
Hard water stains
Some of you might be wondering what hard water really is. The hardness of water refers to the amount of minerals in the water.
Hard water is perhaps the most difficult problem to deal with. It not only causes you to use so much more shampoo and soap, but it also leaves nasty, white stain marks on your glass door. To tackle this, use a good quality glass door cleaner regularly, preferably one which makes the glass water repellent to avoid future build-ups.
Mold and Mildew
If you see the horrendous greenish brown colored build-up on your glass door, you know its mold. Mold thrives in moisture-rich, warm environments, so the shower is an ideal place for it to multiply. A bleach-infused glass door cleaner is what you will need to fight mold and mildew!
What are the main active ingredients in a glass door cleaner?
Active ingredients are responsible for breaking down the build-up of calcium, limescale, mold, hard water stains, and soap scum. Some glass door cleaners have bleach as an active ingredient. Others include less harsh chemicals. Here is a breakdown of the most common active ingredients found in cleaners so you can choose the one that suits you best:
Ammonia
Ammonia is a relatively harsh chemical effective in getting rid of grease and dirt. However, make sure the bathroom or room is well-ventilated so the fumes do not irritate your lungs. Never mix ammonia-based products with bleach, as it will result in the creation of toxic gas that can lead to potentially deadly consequences.
Oxygen Bleach
Compared to the much harsher chlorine bleach, the oxygen bleach is mild and gets the job done.
Isopropyl alcohol
Similar function to that of ammonia but it also kills germs. The smell may be unpleasant.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is the ultimate cleaner for difficult build-ups, soap scum, and hard water stains.
Factors to look out for in glass door cleaners
Forms
Glass door cleaners are available in the form of sprays, gels, creams, foam, and even wipes. Your choice will depend on your personal liking and ease of use. Sprays are most likely the easiest to use. If a cleaner has harsh chemicals, it is best not to use sprays as aerosol droplets can easily be inhaled.
pH levels
pH levels determine the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Most cleaners are of a neutral pH (7) but some may vary depending on their purpose. For example, a cleaner specified for limescale will have a higher pH than 7. Make sure the glass door cleaner you buy is not too acidic or alkaline as it can corrode the glass and harm your skin.
Scent
The scent of a glass door cleaner should be mild or none at all. The smell of active ingredients like vinegar and ammonia may be detrimental if breathed in a closed space so keep your surroundings well-ventilated while cleaning.
Eco-friendliness/safety
When rinsed, cleaning products go down the drain and mix with other water bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to use naturally derived or plant-based products.
Glass Door Cleaner FAQ
Q: How do I know if my glass door cleaner is eco-friendly?
A: Some products have a stamped logo of EPA certification (Environmental Protection Agency) which means that the product is relatively safe.
Q: Does my glass door cleaner have an expiration date?
A: Some cleaners come with a printed expiration date, others do not. However, most cleaning products do expire after a certain period.
Q: Which glass door cleaner is best to kill germs?
A: Look for a cleaner with alcohol or bleach in it.
