Domakihub How to Clean Shower Glass and Banish Soap Scum for Good
A simple, step-by-step method that works on homes, holiday rentals, and hotel bathrooms across Greece.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
Cloudy, streaked shower glass is one of the most common complaints in Greek homes and rental properties — hard water from the national grid leaves mineral deposits that ordinary wiping never removes. The video above shows the technique in action; this guide breaks it down into five repeatable steps you can use whether you are maintaining a family bathroom, a holiday apartment in Santorini, or a boutique hotel suite. Follow the routine consistently and the glass will stay clear for weeks between deep cleans.
Why Shower Glass Gets So Dirty in Greece
Greek tap water has a high calcium and magnesium content — particularly on islands and in many mainland cities — which means every splash leaves behind a thin mineral film. Over time these layers build into the white, chalky haze known as limescale, while body oils and shampoo residue bond on top to form soap scum. The combination is stubborn and cannot be removed by rinsing alone.
Properties that host short-stay guests face this challenge more acutely because the glass is used daily by different people, often without daily maintenance. A proactive cleaning approach prevents the build-up from becoming a multi-hour scrubbing job at the end of each season.
What You Will Need
You do not need expensive products. White vinegar, a small amount of washing-up liquid, baking soda, a spray bottle, a non-scratch scrubbing pad, and a rubber squeegee cover everything in this guide. For maintenance between sessions, a daily squeegee habit is the single highest-return habit you can form. Keep the squeegee on a hook inside the shower so every occupant can use it immediately after showering.
5 Steps to Spotless Shower Glass
- 1
Pre-wet and apply the cleaning solution
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Spray the entire glass surface generously and leave it to dwell for three to five minutes. The mild acid in the vinegar begins dissolving limescale and loosening soap scum without scratching the glass.
- 2
Tackle stubborn spots with a baking soda paste
For areas with heavy build-up — usually the lower third of the panel near the tray — mix a small amount of baking soda with just enough washing-up liquid to form a thick paste. Apply it with your fingers or a damp cloth directly onto the cloudy patches and let it sit for two minutes. The gentle abrasion of baking soda lifts mineral deposits that the vinegar spray alone will not shift.
- 3
Scrub in circular motions with a non-scratch pad
Using a non-scratch scrubbing pad (never steel wool or a harsh scourer, which will micro-scratch the glass permanently), work across the full panel in overlapping circles. Pay extra attention to the bottom edge, the corner channels, and any rubber seals where residue collects. Rinse the pad frequently to avoid redistributing dirt.
- 4
Rinse thoroughly from top to bottom
Run the shower on its hottest setting for thirty seconds, or use a jug of hot water, to rinse the entire glass panel from top to bottom. This carries dissolved residue down into the drain rather than leaving it to re-dry on the glass. A thorough rinse is the step most people skip — and the reason streaks come back.
- 5
Squeegee, then dry with a microfibre cloth
Immediately after rinsing, pull a rubber squeegee from the top of the panel to the bottom in overlapping strokes, directing the water into the tray. Finish by buffing with a dry microfibre cloth to remove any remaining water film. This two-step dry is what separates a streak-free result from a merely clean one. For ongoing maintenance, repeat just the squeegee step after every shower.
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FAQ
- How often should I deep-clean shower glass in a rental property?
- In a high-use holiday rental, a full deep clean every one to two weeks is ideal. Between guest changeovers, a quick spray of diluted vinegar followed by a squeegee takes less than two minutes and keeps the glass presentable without a full session.
- Can I use lemon juice instead of white vinegar?
- Yes. Fresh lemon juice contains citric acid, which dissolves limescale effectively and leaves a pleasant scent. Squeeze two lemons into a spray bottle, top up with warm water, and use exactly as you would the vinegar solution. It is slightly less acidic than vinegar, so leave it to dwell for a minute or two longer on heavy deposits.
- Why does the glass go cloudy again so quickly after cleaning?
- The most common reason is that water is left to dry on the surface naturally after each shower. Even clean water leaves behind dissolved minerals as it evaporates. The squeegee habit described in Step 5 eliminates this: by removing the water immediately, you prevent new limescale from forming between cleaning sessions.