In this article, we’ll explain how to know fiberglass differently from other similar shower materials and the right way to clean it.
The shower is an important part of the home. When thinking of your future house, we bet you take time to think of how you want your shower to be. Well, to add to your thoughts, imagine how beautiful and comfortable your shower will be with fiberglass.
Just like every other shower material, fiberglass must be cleaned with the right substances which brings us to the topic of this article: how to clean a fiberglass shower.
Going into a dirty shower will make you feel unclean despite how many times you take a bath, so in this article, we’ll be explaining how to clean fiberglass shower floor, walls, and so much more.
Stay glued to this page and you will learn so much.
Fiberglass is a common material for showers. It’s as lustrous as porcelain and marble, lasts longer than enamel, and comes in a variety of fashionable molds.
One of the beauties of fiberglass is that it is a lightweight and portable material Trusted Source What’s fiberglass, and how does the delicate material reinforce thousands of products? “Behind the scenes” is the way Pennsylvania State University’s John C. Mauro describes the roles often played by fiberglass. Mauro, a materials scientist and glass specialist who spent nearly 20 years at glassmaker Corning, notes that fiberglass quietly makes its way into carpeting, ceiling tiles, roofing shingles, and many construction materials. And when combined with plastics, the microscopic fibers make composites that are strong and stiff yet lightweight, which is why carmakers and other manufacturers use these reinforced materials to build fuel- and energy-efficient products. cen.acs.org – it is flexible, durable, and robust, especially taking into account its weight. Fiberglass is affordable and simple to install and in the event of faultiness, it is cheap to repair. With regular proper cleaning, fiberglass will keep its color and continue to sparkle for years.
Even though showers are always white and lustrous, they are made of different materials. Showers could be enamel, porcelain, acrylic, or fiberglass – they all look alike, but they are different. So, before following the cleaning procedures that will be explained in this article, ensure you’ve confirmed that your shower is fiberglass.
To assist you with the confirmation: put a fridge magnet towards your shower wall, if it clings to each other effortlessly, it is made of enamel. Porcelain showers have metal underneath which makes them heavy, but they are completely covered, so magnets won’t stick to them. Acrylic is a stretched-out plastic that is occasionally bonded with fiberglass, making it look more plastic.
Unlike other shower materials, fiberglass is glassy, hence its name. Natural stone does not shine as brightly as fiberglass, even when polished.
Fiberglass is constructed of plastic Trusted Source The science and technology of composite materials As for fibreglass, it’s made from plastic that has been reinforced by filaments or fibres of glass. These filaments can either be bundled together, and woven into a mat, or they are sometimes cut up into short lengths which are randomly oriented in the plastic matrix. www.science.org.au that has been reinforced with glass filaments or fibers.
However, something that applies to all kinds of shower material is that they don’t do well with hard textured substances, so avoid using them on whichever shower type you have. It is also beneficial to have the best shower door and shower enclosure to help prevent leaks or mold.
To ensure that your fiberglass lasts long, maintains its color and sparkle, you must clean it properly on a regular basis. To clean it, use the following:
To ensure that your fiberglass shower is not filled with scratches, you must not use some substance on it.
A lot of stains such as dirt, beauty products residue, soap scum, etc. can be found in showers. When you remove stains, you can have a clean fiberglass shower stall floor and pan – dirty feet and soap scum are mostly the causative factors of these stains.
Shortly, we’ll be revealing some pro tips on cleaning a fiberglass shower. These tips will help you have a better and safer cleaning, and ensure that your fiberglass stays durable.
Take out any bottle, soap, and other shower accessories. Clean them to remove any filth, especially mildew, which could be transferred back into the shower. If not properly cleaned, the mildew on the bottles’ bottoms will reappear on your freshly cleaned shower surfaces.
It is recommended that you remove and clean your shower curtain if you have one.
If your shower is dry, rinse it before cleaning. A pre-rinse will soften the stains and make way for the cleaning solution to work strongly, most especially on stains that are stuck to the shower surface.
On how to clean stained fiberglass shower, wipe it off while it’s hot. The heat and water vapor helps to soften stains, it washes away easily. Another trick is to steam up your cleaning solution before applying it to the stains – it will do an excellent job in removing all the stains that turned into a nightmare.
Begin your cleaning regime with normal cleaners like those in your kitchen and if they don’t work, you can use more powerful cleaning agents.
As previously said, don’t use bleach to remove fiberglass stains. Bleach does not just damage the fiberglass’ resin, it also causes skin irritation and lung damage, especially when used in high concentrations.
Ammonia, on the other hand, is safe for fiberglass, therefore it’s a potential option. It is particularly effective in removing watermarks. However, excessive ammonia can just be as dangerous as bleach, so dilute the ammonia in plenty of water and make sure your shower is sufficiently ventilated.
Mild acids are excellent at absorbing the oily dirt that accumulates in showers. A preferred option is “plain vinegar.” In a punctured bottle, combine some plain vinegar with warm water, then spray it over your shower walls. Allow it to remain on the walls until the stains are completely softened. After that, re-run the shower to wet the walls before wiping away all of the muck.
If the plain vinegar strategy doesn’t work, add some mild dishwashing solution to it – it will increase the foam. In cleaning, foam is very beneficial because the bubbles in it remove stains and bring dirt particles to the surface where they can be easily washed away.
Vinegar disinfects while also providing a low-cost natural cleansing. It’s a delicate, yet more effective solution when used with baking soda. They can be used together by firstly sprinkling baking soda over the fiberglass, then spraying the plain vinegar. This combination is slightly abrasive, allowing you to scrape away grime without damaging your fiberglass. Circular motions should be used when rubbing.
Because soap has a greasy-oil foundation, it forms in little puddles and splashes and can be rather obstinate when it accumulates. So in the event of this, how do you deep clean your fiberglass shower? Leave your vinegar and baking soda solution to stay on the fiberglass for a long time, then rinse with water afterward.
If you don’t have vinegar at home, use other solutions like baking soda, lemon juice, Bronner’s liquid soap, Coca-Cola, and oven cleaner to clean your shower fixtures especially your showerhead.
Commercial cleaners are sometimes needed to remove rust and hard water mineral deposits. In applying them, make sure you are on hand gloves and ensure that the room is well ventilated. Also, ensure you follow the package instructions when using a liquid rust and mineral deposit remover.
Note that you are not to use this often; it’s acidic, so only use it when absolutely required.
After the whole cleaning is done, run your shower one more time to give a clean steam. With a handheld showerhead, or a punctured bottle that contains clean water, douse the wall. Any oily remains will be removed with a warm rinse. Finally, ensure the window is opened for ventilation to come in.
From the video below, you will know how to clean and polish a fiberglass shower surround with sandpaper, polishing compound, and wax.
Cleaning a fiberglass shower can seem like a daunting task when dirt has been allowed to accumulate so much that the fiberglass has lost its color and sparkle.
So, to prevent that, we took time to explain how to clean a fiberglass shower. All you have to do is to first of all identify the type of shower material you are using. Ensure it’s a fiberglass, then you can follow the cleaning instructions and tips shared.
Finally, to prevent the disgust you feel when you see a dirty shower, get a preferred cleaning solution, and clean your shower immediately after every bath.
