How To Clean Shower Floor - Tackle Scum and Grime

A relaxing and refreshing hot shower can do wonders for you at the beginning or end of your day. But nothing ruins your wellness oasis faster than seeing a shower floor filled with soap scum, stains, mildew, or grime, tarnishing the once gleaming and clean surface.

But do you know how to clean a shower floor the right way? You might think you do, but this task isn’t as straightforward as cleaning the drain or the rest of your bathroom.

Ready to bring back the shine and germ protection your shower floor deserves through the expert-approved tips about how to clean shower floor? Great! Let’s get started.

How often should you clean your shower

Try to clean your shower, especially the shower floor, once a week. Moist and humid environments are favorable breeding grounds for germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew.

You can reduce these problems by drying the shower after every use by leaving the shower door or curtain open, turning on the bathroom fan, or opening the window for a few minutes.

What will you need

Before we get started, let’s discuss which cleaners and tools are effective and which can damage the bathroom floor surface. Most shower floors are made from either fiberglass, ceramics, or porcelain, which requires non-abrasive tools and cleaning agents.

Mild cleaner: Always opt for a non-abrasive cleaner for the shower floor. Something like Harpic Bathroom Cleaner is excellent at removing the toughest of stains and 99.9% of germs and bacteria.
Avoid ammonia: Ammonia is alkaline, and its acidity can cause damage to the floor surface, causing it to discolor, deteriorate, and dull the finish.
Use non-abrasive tools: Opt for gentle cleaning tools like a two-sided sponge, a soft brush, or a cloth when cleaning the shower floor.
Avoid steel wool: Avoid using steel wool or scrapers, as they can scratch and harm the shower floor's finish.

Here are the tools you’ll need to clean the shower floor:

Vinegar
Baking soda
Harpic Bathroom Cleaner
Sponge, soft cloth, or scrub brush
Small bowl or container

How to clean shower floor with vinegar and baking soda

Follow these steps to clean your shower floor with baking soda and vinegar.

1. Creating a mixture paste

Create a paste containing a mixture of ¾ of water, ¼ of vinegar, and baking soda in a small bowl or container. Remember this method suits ceramic or porcelain tiles, fiberglass, and acrylic shower floors. However, if your shower is made of natural stone floors like marble, granite, or travertine, use a pH-neutral cleaner such as Harpic Bathroom Cleaner.

2. Applying the paste

Apply the vinegar and baking soda paste you just created to the shower floor, focusing on particularly dirty or stained areas. Let the paste sit for at least 10 minutes to allow it to break down dirt, grime, and soap scum.

3. Scrub with a brush or sponge

Once the paste has been set, use a brush or sponge to initiate the scrubbing process on the floor. Use circular motions and mild pressure, especially on persistent stain areas, to effectively dislodge and eliminate dirt and grime.

4. Rinse thoroughly

After scrubbing the entire shower floor, thoroughly rinse it with the shower or bucket of water and remove all the paste or foam from the surface and grout lines.

Lastly, dry the floor using a towel or air dry through ventilating to keep the floor clean and shiny. Learn how to ensure proper ventilation by reading our guide about how to ventilate the bathroom properly.

How to clean shower floor with dish soap

Follow these steps to clean linoleum, vinyl, ceramic, porcelain, and acrylic shower floors.

1. Wet the shower floor

Thoroughly wet the shower floor with plain water directly from the shower or using a bucket, ensuring no area is left dry.

2. Creating the cleaning solution

Fill a bucket with warm water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of dish soap. Make sure to mix it well to create a soapy cleaning solution. Additionally, avoid using too much soap to prevent excess suds.

3. Wetting and applying

Submerge the cleaning cloth into the bucket with the soapy solution entirely. Gently squeeze the cloth to remove excess water, leaving the cloth or sponge damp but not dripping.

Next, apply the soapy solution using the cloth from one end of the shower, covering the entire floor surface as you work your way across.

4. Scrubbing the surface

For textured surfaces, stubborn stains, grout lines, and hard-to-reach corners, employ a scrub brush with gentle bristles to effectively clean these areas prone to dirt and grime buildup.

5. Rinse and dry the floor

After scrubbing, rinse the shower floor extensively with clean water, eliminating all the traces of soap residue. Finally, either use a clean towel to dry the shower floor or allow it to air dry entirely.

What is the best thing to clean shower floors with

Vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap effectively eliminate shower floor dirt, grime, mold, and mildew.

However, when it comes to avoiding any damage or discoloration and superior cleaning and disinfection performance, nothing surpasses the effectiveness of Harpic Bathroom Cleaners.

Harpic bathroom cleaners feature a potent, thick liquid formula that contains powerful cleaning agents. They excel at eliminating a wide range of challenging stains, as well as dirt, mold, mildew, and up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria from various bathroom surfaces, including floors.

For Stubborn Stains:

Apply directly to the stain or a scrubber
Gently scrub the area
Rinse thoroughly with water

For Routine Cleaning:

Dilute 1.5 capfuls in half a bucket of water (4 cups)
Apply the solution to the surface, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then scrub gently
Rinse thoroughly with water

To learn more about using this cleaner effectively, review our comprehensive guide on how to use Harpic bathroom cleaner.

Additional tips for a clean shower floor

Here are a few additional tips to make bathroom floor cleaning:

Apply grout sealer annually to help protect grout from moisture and stains, extending its life.
Promptly replace cracked or missing tiles to prevent water from seeping into walls or floors.
Ensure good bathroom ventilation to reduce unpleasant odors, moisture, dust, and dirt.
Squeeze the tiles after each shower to reduce water spots and mildew.
Prevent hair clogs by installing a drain cover.

Final Thoughts

A clean, sparkling shower floor is necessary to wash away the day’s stress and helps maintain a safe, healthy, inviting bathroom environment. Showering on a floor filled with dirt, dust, and grime can often leave you feeling dirtier than before.

Regular bathroom floor cleaning helps prevent accidents, improve indoor air quality, reduce the spread of germs and bacteria, maintain the appearance of the space, and prevent damage to the floors.

With the above cleaning methods, your shower floor will feel spotless!

FAQs

What's the best way to clean grout on a shower floor?

A brush, sponge, or toothbrush dipped in vinegar, baking soda, or a bathroom cleaner solution works well to clean the grout on a shower floor.

What is the best time to clean your shower floor?

The best time to clean your shower floor is right after you have used the shower because the warm/hot water and air will help loosen up the dirt, scum, and grime, making them easier to wipe away.

Can I use abrasive materials like steel wool to clean my shower floor?

Avoid using abrasive materials to clean your shower floor, as they can cause scratches, discoloration, and other types of damage to the surface.