# Clear Glass Shower Doors **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 1, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411 "2009-06-01T21:04:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/21 "2009-06-02T11:35:06Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > LouisB, since you’re in roughly the same place as I, then your water is full of fun-lovin’ minerals (not to be confused with the [Fun Lovin’ Criminals](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTJ10Smz8pE)). Once you get it clean, I highly recommend that you get a squeegee. After every shower squeegee off the excess water. This will keep your shower door/window cleaner for longer, and give you both a clear view to each other, if you know what I mean.. wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more… I picked out the shower doors strictly for the wink wink, nudge nudge factor. We’ve used a squeeze and it works pretty well but due to my recent back surgery and the never ending agony of the recovery, its all I can do to sit and watch my Darling really get into the squeegeeing thing. I think she suspects my motives. If I try to do the squeegeeing thing, she gets bored and leaves. To be serious, the squeegee used with that Jet Dry stuff works well, but it is expensive as hell. I’ll give some of the other suggestions a try and report back. ---
**Author:** ![StinkyBurrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/22 "2009-06-02T13:36:15Z")
LimeAway or CLR seems to work good - or are those the toxic chemicals you spoke of? I think they are basically just an acid, right? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/23 "2009-06-02T13:47:25Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Obligatory _Aliens_ reference. I’m totally missing the connection. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/24 "2009-06-02T13:52:51Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > I’m totally missing the connection. “Nuke it from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.” ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/25 "2009-06-02T15:11:20Z")
> [@bit24sh0cker](#): > > The squeegee idea works great - That’s what we have…once you clean the doors thoroughly, as long as everyone plays the game and squeegees after every shower, you might never have to clean those shower doors again. Ours always look spiffy clean, simply by taking 10 seconds to squeegee the shower doors after each shower. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/26 "2009-06-02T15:26:55Z")
A few numbers on P & G, for **Omniscient and ShibbO’Leth:** Dividend per share (est) in 2009 is $1.60, bumped up a bit because PG sold Folger’s. Shares of common stock 2,930,826,562 Fabric & Home Care products account for 28% of sales. Officers and Directors own 0.4% of stock. The largest stockholder seems to be a mutual fund, Vanguard 500 Index Inv., at 28,249,605 shares. NOT the devil, and NOT Rev. Moon. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/27 "2009-06-02T15:38:34Z")
Soap scum is a combination of mineral deposits (calcium, mostly) and soap. Any acid will do, but if you don’t want to use nitrile gloves and goggles, you are limited. Vinegar works, but slower than the more powerful acids. Heloise® suggests this: _Slice a hunk of lemon, apply salt to it for grit, and scrub with that. It works, it’s safe, and it smells good._ Your job may take more than one lemon. Hey, they’re cheap! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/28 "2009-06-02T18:25:00Z")
> [@StinkyBurrito](#): > > LimeAway or CLR seems to work good - or are those the toxic chemicals you spoke of? I think they are basically just an acid, right? Actually, this specific instance was brought about by using that purple KaBoom stuff; my Darling Marcie doesn’t like it. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/29 "2009-06-02T21:02:38Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Actually, this specific instance was brought about by using that purple KaBoom stuff; my Darling Marcie doesn’t like it. I’ve never found anything that truly works except for the icky chemicals. Hard water mineral deposits are incredibly resistant to being scrubbed off. I use “De-Scale It”, which we buy at pool supply stores. It’s designed to take off the hard water mineral line from tiled pools and jacuzzis. On second glance, maybe it’s not all that toxic. A description on the web says: “This biodegradable cleaner works without harmful fumes, harsh mineral acids and without affecting the pH of the water, when used as directed.” Spray it on, wait awhile to let it dissolve the crud, scrub it off. It may need a couple of applications. It also works on your shower tile if it has visible hard water spots. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/30 "2009-06-02T21:42:51Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I’ve never found anything that truly works except for the icky chemicals. Hard water mineral deposits are incredibly resistant to being scrubbed off. I use “De-Scale It”, which we buy at pool supply stores. It’s designed to take off the hard water mineral line from tiled pools and jacuzzis. > > On second glance, maybe it’s not all that toxic. A description on the web says: “This biodegradable cleaner works without harmful fumes, harsh mineral acids and without affecting the pH of the water, when used as directed.” > > Spray it on, wait awhile to let it dissolve the crud, scrub it off. It may need a couple of applications. It also works on your shower tile if it has visible hard water spots. Marcie has directed me to buy some of this stuff first thing tomorrow. We will also give the lemon & salt thing a try. We will also give the vinegar a shot. Thanks for all the ideas. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/31 "2009-06-02T22:59:43Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Marcie has directed me to buy some of this stuff first thing tomorrow. Post back and let me know if it works for you. Once we were applying De-Scale It to our kitchen countertop tiles because they had hard water spots, and we discovered that it also cleaned the icky dark stained grout as well. The grout became white again like when it was brand new! ---
**Author:** ![Vimp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vimp/32/4186_2.png) [@Vimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vimp)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/32 "2009-06-02T23:19:09Z")
A real winner for our house turned out to be – RainEx - you know, the stuff you put on (clean) auto windows to repel water - the water just beads up and rolls away. Once you have cleaned you shower door by whatever method, you just apply the RainEx, and the water and associated scum just rool off. You have to rapply it about every 3 - 4 weeks, but it makes cleaning the glass soooo much easier. You can buy RainEx at any automotive supply store (Kragen, AutoZone, etc). ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2009, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/33 "2009-06-02T23:25:47Z")
How funny! I went looking for unsmelly shower-door-scum-remover tips earlier today. One I found and tried that mostly worked: take a **dryer sheet** , get it slightly wet, and rub it (fairly hard, like you would for crud on a mirror) over the soap scum. No idea what’s in there that works. One sheet got about 90% of our visible scum off, in less than five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/34 "2009-06-03T00:43:53Z")
Well, my Darling Marcie put the lemon/salt combo to the test, following a full scale shower and the clear glass shower doors just sparkled. My Darling Marcie sparkled very nicely, too. The view through the sparkling clean clear glass shower doors was unimpeded and I would be there yet except that my Darling Marcie isn’t in the shower any more. I wonder what else one could do with lemon and salt? Tequila comes to mind, but there just has to be something more. I’ll sleep on it, perchance to dream or whatever. Thanks. I’ll try some other suggestions later. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/35 "2009-06-03T15:05:38Z")
> [@KatiRoo](#): > > A real winner for our house turned out to be – RainEx - you know, the stuff you put on (clean) auto windows to repel water - the water just beads up and rolls away. Once you have cleaned you shower door by whatever method, you just apply the RainEx, and the water and associated scum just rool off. You have to rapply it about every 3 - 4 weeks, but it makes cleaning the glass soooo much easier. > > You can buy RainEx at any automotive supply store (Kragen, AutoZone, etc). I have heard of this trick, however, most of what gets on my shower door is not large globs of water, but steam condensing on the surface. What happens with this? It doesn’t seem possible that it could just “roll off” does it? ---
**Author:** ![HelenGawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@HelenGawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelenGawn)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/36 "2009-06-03T18:46:44Z")
[hijack] **LouisB,** I just love reading your posts, especially for the way you write about your darling Marcie. She’s a lucky woman. ---
**Author:** ![Solfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Solfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Solfy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/37 "2009-06-03T18:50:02Z")
> [@crazyjoe](#): > > I have heard of this trick, however, most of what gets on my shower door is not large globs of water, but steam condensing on the surface. What happens with this? It doesn’t seem possible that it could just “roll off” does it? There are anti-fog treatments you can buy for glass that’s usefull for things like bathroom mirrors. It works in the opposite way that Rain-X does. Rain-X makes a hydrophobic (water hating) surface on the glass so that the water droplets converge and roll off. Anti-fog treatments make the glass hydrophillic (water loving) so that the fog disperses more readily instead of forming tiny beads that occlude vision. If you don’t like the idea of monthly Rain-X treatments, find yourself some Aquapel. It costs a little more than Rain-X, but it last three times as long. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/38 "2009-06-03T18:57:37Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > I wonder what else one could do with lemon and salt? [Music to ponder that question by](http://www.amazon.com/Lim%C3%B3n-y-Sal-Julieta-Venegas/dp/B000FDFS0O) ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/39 "2009-06-03T19:41:51Z")
I used very fine steel wool and Windex. I’m not sure whether it was good for the glass or not but the mineral deposits came off pretty good. I don’t recommend this method as I suspect that the tiny scratches left on the glass may just exacerbate the buildup problem. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411/40 "2009-06-03T20:34:56Z")
Vinager. For tough spots apply a saturated paper towel and let it soak. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clear-glass-shower-doors/498411.md?page=3)