DIY Network

Cleaning Fiberglass and Tile in the Bathroom Cleaning Fiberglass and Tile in the Bathroom From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-114

A bathroom contains a variety of surface types, and not all cleaning products work on every one of them. Here are suggestions for safely and effectively tackling some of the most common bathroom cleaning chores.

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Fiberglass Shower

Steps:

1. Pour white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the shower walls and floor. Leave on from 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Moisten a damp scrubbing sponge with vinegar and scrub, using additional vinegar as needed. Vinegar is a natural acetic acid that will dissolve mineral deposits and cut through soap scum. In addition, it's safe to use around the family, kind to the environment and economical to use.

3. Rinse with water and wipe down the walls with a shower squeegee to remove excess moisture. Wiping the walls down with a squeegee after each shower will help prevent soap scum and mineral-deposit buildup.

4. To make the walls and shower door even easier to clean the next time, apply a coat of car wax to the surfaces and buff until dry. The wax protects the finish by causing water drops to bead and roll off the surfaces. Squeegee the walls after showering and reapply every three or four months.

Safety Tip: Never use wax on the shower floor, since it would make the surface too slippery to be safe.

Figure A

Cleaning Mineral Deposits from a Showerhead

Steps:

1. Fill a plastic sandwich bag with undiluted white vinegar.

2. Tie the bag around the shower head with a twist tie, string or rubber band and leave in place overnight (figure A).

3. Remove the bag and use a soft bristle brush, like a toothbrush, to remove remaining mineral deposits.

4. Recycle the vinegar into a slow-moving drain, after first adding a cup of baking soda to the drain.

Figure B

Tile and Grout Cleaner

Ingredients:

2 cups baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup hot water

Steps:

1. Combine dry ingredients.
2. Add hot water and mix into a paste.
3. Apply to tile and grout with a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly (figure B). The mixture won't scratch the tile -- and it's 100 percent natural!

Tip: Consider a wall-mounted soap dispenser to reduce clutter and soap residue.

Next: Installing a Water Softener