Not Vinegar, Not Cooking Oil: A Better Way To Remove Soap Scum From Shower Doors

Cloudy shower doors do not always require another vinegar spray. Although vinegar has various uses in the home, a little baby oil may help lift the dull film left behind by soap. This is especially useful if you cannot stand vinegar's smell or already have baby oil in the bathroom. 

You can use baby oil to remove dirt and built-up soap scum from bathtubs, shower stalls, and glass shower doors. Put 1 teaspoon of baby oil on a moist cloth, wipe the dirty glass, and then use a second cloth to remove the remaining oil. Lastly, use a suitable disinfectant to remove any dirt, grime, or germs from the shower that the oil may not have targeted.

Knowing what's causing the haze in the glass is important for managing expectations: Hard water interacts with soaps to form insoluble soap scum, which sticks to the shower walls.  But shower doors can also accumulate mineral deposits independent of soap. If there is an opaque buildup of hard water stains, test the baby oil to see if it removes the stains. If the area still looks cloudy after you remove the oil, you may need to use a shower door cleaner or use lemon juice and salt for soap scum removal.

Use the oil on the cloth or make a solution in a spray bottle to have better control over it. Make sure not to pour the oil directly on the shower doors. Use a portion of the glass that is less visible first and rub it on lightly. When it starts coming off, clean it vigorously with another cloth until the glass is free of the grease. Be careful if the baby oil comes into contact with the shower floor, bathtub floor, or bathroom floor, as it may make it very slippery. It should be wiped up at once when spilled. 

Check the care instructions for your enclosure before starting. Different shower doors may have treated glass, coated hardware, or painted and anodized frames. In other words, shower door materials differ, and they should be cleaned with different solutions. 

After you wash the glass door, prevention will save you a lot of time and effort compared to washing the stubborn grime. You will need a squeegee to wipe it dry after each shower and then wipe off the remaining droplets with a soft towel. It will prevent the drying and hardening of water and soap spots on the glass. There are also other green procedures you can use for your shower in conjunction with baby oil.