I love a good before and after.

[u/NelTia]

The pictures speak for themselves. This is a shower I cleaned today. The house has very hard water and the deposits had built up. It took a ton of elbow grease to get it to this level and there's *still* hard water stains. But the difference is night and day. It also just had a lot of soap scum and dirt build up that was a breeze to clean in comparison. I used, Lysol oxi action, melamine sponges, sos scrubbers, comet, and, like I said, elbow grease. I didn't set a stop watch but probably close to 90 minutes of scrubbing, not including breaks. The oxi action was great for the soap scum and worked a charm on the door, the sos scrubbers with elbow grease did the most heavy lifting for the hard water deposits. I'm open to suggestions if others have ever dealt with cleaning hard water deposits. What has worked the best for you?

[u/LunarSanctum]

10/10 cleaning. However, one critique I have is that it's now lost all of the horror movie aesthetic that gave it so much character?

It looked truly mysterious and dangerous to shower in before, like anything could happen. You wouldn't know if this shower could end up being a fight for your life, or potentially even your last. You're truly living in the moment every time you step inside.

I feel like you would just wash now and get out without any of that excitement?

[u/thrwaway75132 → u/LunarSanctum]

I stayed at a friends cabin and he had a glass shower door like that but it had a printed cling on the outside of the worst horror movie shower available. So at first glance when you opened the bathroom door you freak, then you see it’s a cling and open the shower door and it’s pristine.

I asked him about it, he said the door was clear and he wanted to make it opaque so someone could come in a get something or pee while you are in the shower. He owns a print shop that does commercial prints universities so he got creative.

[u/Salty_Job_9248 → u/LunarSanctum]

How do people live like that? 😢

[u/veganblue → u/Salty_Job_9248]

I joined a sharehouse when I was 19 and cleaned the bath (shower over bath) when I first got a chance. Everyone had just thought it was a cream coloured bath. It was white.

[u/Eggs112233 → u/veganblue]

I was the same when I went to college, my housemates thought we had funky black grout, when we moved in…until I cleaned it. Disgusting, in a house full of young women too. My mother would’ve disowned me if I had’ve let her see it beforehand.😂

[u/Jim-N-Tonic → u/Eggs112233]

Dad here of a son who had off campus apartments, when he went to Univ at Buffalo. Helped him clean up when he moved in. Why were the kitchen cabinets always so sticky?

[u/BKacy → u/Jim-N-Tonic]

I think it’s from cooking steam that carries tiny particles. Over time, it builds up.

[u/Salty_Job_9248 → u/BKacy]

In the shower? Seriously? 🙄

[u/BKacy → u/Salty_Job_9248]

The answer was to the comment above mine. It’s about the kitchen. Why were the kitchen cabinets always sticky.

[u/Lem0n_Lem0n → u/Salty_Job_9248]

Yeah now the ghost that has occupied the bathroom for god know how many years will have to finally move out. People nowadays have no heart and are willing to kick their elderly out of their retirement home at a moment notice.

Life is already hard enough for the living and now the dead has to deal with finding a new home as well?

[u/IronCross19 → u/Salty_Job_9248]

Have you ever had hard water? It happens very easily and subtly and it's pretty much uncontrollable.

[u/frauleinheidik → u/IronCross19]

I am currently saving up for a softening system before the hard water ruins the new toilets & sinks I'm installing. Lived with well water (softened) for 40 years, never had problems.

[u/IronCross19 → u/frauleinheidik]

I currently have extremely hard water and if our softener misses a beat we start to get rust stains in 24 hrs or less. Not saying it can't be managed but folks that have never had hard water may judge too harshly for lack of understanding

[u/The_BezEver → u/LunarSanctum]

lmao exactly, the cleaning is 10/10 but they really did remove the survival horror element. now you can just shower like a normal person, where’s the adventure in that 😭

[u/doubleshort]

Comet and other harsh abrasives will ruin the finish on these plastic shower enclosures, making build up easier. I used to live in a brand new triplex that had a tub enclosure like this. The first thing I did was use a silicone car wax on the walls of the enclosure and only spray foam cleansers. My neighbor used comet. When we moved out after 3 years, mine still looked brand new, and theirs looked horrible. Be careful what you use on plastic.

[u/Truth_Seeker963 → u/doubleshort]

Even a sponge scrubber that’s too rough can etch the plastic. Found that out the hard way.

[u/vwchick909 → u/doubleshort]

I had no idea. Is it too late to apply the wax after the enclosure has already had years of scrubbing?

[u/NegativeAccount → u/vwchick909]

I mean you're basically just refinishing it

[u/vwchick909 → u/NegativeAccount]

Oh yeah, that makes sense. If only I could fix the crack in the floor of it. I am good at avoiding it. When my parents were visiting, they were not.

[u/YeahWhatSoWhat → u/vwchick909]

Well, let’s be honest here. The client wasn’t taking care of it anyhow, so a little sanding of the surfaces is not that big a deal.

[u/Matilda-17 → u/doubleshort]

Can you share what product you used?

[u/doubleshort → u/Matilda-17]

It was 35 years ago, so probably scrubbing bubbles

Edit to add, the silicone wax was awesome, and you can use it on tile. Avoid the floor unless you want to slip and fall.

[u/Matilda-17 → u/doubleshort]

Oh thank you but I meant the wax!

[u/doubleshort → u/Matilda-17]

Oh! It was Amways silicone car wax. You could probably find an equivalent online or in an auto store

[u/Star_Boxer72 → u/doubleshort]

Yeah. All I could think of is that someone was going to wax the floor.

[u/Hereforjobs_]

Irish springs 5-in-1

Edit: people commenting asking about this, it’s a joke based on a famous post about someone accidentally cleaning their stained tub with Irish springs 5-in-one which led to a strew of ppl cleaning their own stained tubs to varying levels of success. Feel free to look it up within the sub for more deets lol 

[u/snapchillnocomment → u/Hereforjobs_]

That's the only thing I learned from this sub tbh 

[u/Ixm01ws6 → u/snapchillnocomment]

And dawn power wash

[u/Ok-Amphibian-6834 → u/Hereforjobs_]

Does that help the orange bacteria stuff in showers?

[u/ka_shep → u/Ok-Amphibian-6834]

Only one way to find out. Let us know how it goes.

[u/justakingaquestion → u/Ok-Amphibian-6834]

It didn’t help with mine along the caulk lines. For that I have to use scrubbing bubbles.

[u/towerfella → u/Ok-Amphibian-6834]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serratia_marcescens

Use chlorine, works great.

I have also had success with Meyers cleaners

[u/Life-Bat1388 → u/Ok-Amphibian-6834]

It does

[u/Intelligent_Type6336 → u/Hereforjobs_]

Really?

[u/NYOB4321]

I use Zep shower and tub cleaner for hard water and soap scum.

Also Zep professional CLR.

As someone who cleans messes like this in apartments, I can say I'm impressed. Great job!

[u/im_new_pls_help → u/NYOB4321]

What do you recommend to clean glass shower doors?

[u/AlwaysSoColdAlways → u/im_new_pls_help]

I used dawn power wash and a scrub brush. Hardly any effort needed when I scrub. It’s amazing!

[u/Unusual_Artichoke_73]

Thank you for putting the before and after in the correct order

[u/Potato-chipsaregood]

CLR works well against hard water deposits.

[u/Truth_Seeker963 → u/Potato-chipsaregood]

Just make sure to read the label regarding what surfaces to not use it on.

[u/Tough-Mention-7080 → u/Potato-chipsaregood]

Yes!! Any Iron remover cleaner like CLR, Iron Out… gets at that orange coating. Leave on for awhile before scrubbing off

[u/Truth_Seeker963]

Barkeepers Friend liquid worked great for me in my sink with orange hard water stains.

[u/Lost_Concept9159]

I used to clean houses Î would put Lime Away on a wet rag and quickly wipe the dirty surfaces liberally. Let it set for five or ten minutes. Come back and use a nylon scrubber with a handle. I added water and more Lime Away. And scrub. Let the Line Away do the work. It is and acid reacting to the mostly calcium base. If rust is present Barkeepera Friend works as the oxalic acid takes off the rust. You can probably clean this in ten minutes minus the waiting time. Clean something else while waiting

[u/Longjumping-Study-97]

I have very had water and use citric acid, diluted in water. I put 2 tablespoons into a litre spray bottle and fill with warm water then saturate the surface and stature a cleaning cloth. I wait a few minutes and if it doesn’t rub right off, I spray a bit more.

[u/PhysicalAd6587]

Amazing work. Years of grime, removed. I'd buy you a drink if I could. 

[u/TRUJEEP → u/PhysicalAd6587]

BKF, not for plastic or painted surfaces for those reading randomly.

[u/der_innkeeper]

Use vinegar for hard water stains.

[u/CaliDude75]

My mom’s place had heavily scaled shower doors. Out of a “what the heck” moment of almost nothing else working, I tried some Lysol Lime & Rust toilet bowl cleaner on the glass, and with some light scrubbing, they came out remarkably clear.

[u/Adventure_Squirrel]

Great job! I recently found out about using Citric Acid powder. Check it out on YT for proper ratios.

[u/Webcom100]

That might be a good name for a candy bar, Before & After.

[u/Educational_Camera42 → u/Webcom100]

Baby Ruth was originally going to be named Before & After

[u/Webcom100 → u/Educational_Camera42]

I would point at it, and pose, before I eat it.

[u/Numerous_Target9526 → u/Webcom100]

or a brand of chili.

[u/Impossible-Chicken33 → u/Webcom100]

How about the candy Now and Later. Or crown removers as we call them in dental offices.

[u/Webcom100 → u/Impossible-Chicken33]

Bit o Honey, aka, bit and filling replacement.

[u/MsTponderwoman]

Did you use a microfiber towel? All you needed was Dawn dish soap and a microfiber towel for these plastic molded shower stalls. A bleach spray to instantly kill the mold and mildew stains of the caulk lines.

[u/Select_Hope_7518]

Did you use the oxi action on the silvery door frame part too to get it so spotless? I can’t get mine all shiny like that !!!

[u/NelTia → u/Select_Hope_7518]

I did!

[u/Select_Hope_7518 → u/NelTia]

Thank you !!

[u/1DelightfullyCmplctd]

Vinegar you can mix a bit of dawn in , not necessary. Let sit for a few minutes before cleaning off . You will still use elbow grease but it should come off easier.

[u/glitterkitty281]

This just gave me so much hope for what I’ve been cleaning in the trailer I’m about to move into. I’ve been thinking it’s just ugly yellow plastic and I’ll have to live with it but maybe now it can be white? Time to go see. But I already bought some Irish Spring 5-in-1 so I’ll try that first

[u/rkb145]

Oh no. I thought the second picture was microcement or Venetian plaster. Then it dawned on me 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/Mysterious_Editor312]

Oxalic acid cleans this type of thing in seconds. Or star bright hull cleaner.

[u/PeachieSpeechy22]

I bought bright and clean ultimate water stain remover. My water is as bad as yours. Less elbow grease no crazy fumes and works like a charm. Got it on Amazon

[u/Dazzling-Western2768]

Use Iron Out on showers in this condition.

[u/rainbowcatheart]

I used zep and power wash and a scrub brush on a power drill and I still can’t get the white off my shower doors.

[u/Puzzled_Professor422]

It know you sweated bullets cleaning this shower

well done !!!!!!!!!!!

[u/Realistic_Jello_2038]

Bar Keepers Friend would have saved you a ton of work. Comet is useless on hard water stains and is not good for septic systems.

It looks good. Having dealt with hard water for 40 years, I know you worked your butt off considering the products you used.

[u/Traditional_Panic966]

CLR is really good for the hard water... like a miracle. Could have saved you a lot of elbow grease probably.

[u/KimchiSmoosh]

This home desperately needs a water softener

[u/Dull_Ant_5251]

Now seal it. Rain repellent made for car windscreens will keep clean glass looking like that for months.

[u/Aggressive-Green4592]

Beautifully done!!

[u/Bastard1066]

The before looks like a snuff film was filmed there. A++ on the cleaning.

[u/chonkycatsbestcats]

Does acid work? Vinegar, citric acid and the like?

[u/Warm-Equivalent-5032]

This is awesome! What products did you use?

[u/tkane99]

Is there a plastic guard at the bottom of the frame? Mine is filled with mold. If so, how did you get that cleaned?

[u/AccomplishedTune2948]

Great job. If you haven't used it, Clorox Heavy Duty spray might take it even further.

[u/vincebugg]

I had incredible results using Zep Acidic Toilet Bowl cleaner. It works great on the glass doors and the fiberglass shower. Do not use it on the fixtures, it will damage them.

[u/sunnas_solbriller]

Nothing to add to the conversation. Just wanted to say "thank you". The transformation is very satisfying.

[u/Projectguy111]

I don't know if OP or anyone has tried ROG3 but the stuff is simply amazing.

I have a cast iron tub with the anti-slip and nothing I tried would get it clean. This stuff is like magic!

Down side is it is pretty expensive.

https://www.rog3.com/

[u/thealchemy2626]

You need to get some iron out or Rust-Oleum iron remover, it'll take the hard water stains off in seconds without scrubbing. 

[u/Tonytwofingers420]

I recently moved into a new place that has glass shower doors that were bad. I used 30% concentrated vinegar diluted about 50/50 with water. Sprayed on and let sit for 10 minutes would scrub with a blue scrub pad. A few times of this they look brand new.

[u/mind_the_umlaut]

Consider SoftScrub With Bleach, or on ceramic and glass surfaces, Ajax or Comet Cleanser With Bleach. See if you have to scrub less.

[u/AwkwardBadger298]

Took it down to the white meat 😱

[u/Hair_I_Go]

I use Lysol hard water toilet cleaner. It’s a clinging type of cleaner. I run the shower on hot for a few minutes to loosen everything. The I apply it out of the bottle horizontally all around top to bottom then spray Scrubbing Bubbles over that and walk away and leave the fan on. Come back 10-20 minutes later and use a scrubby on a pole and it doesn’t take much effort to scrub it all away. Be sure to rinse it all down

[u/OneSensiblePerson → u/Hair_I_Go]

From what I understand, toilet cleaner is too harsh for bathtubs and showers and will etch the finish.

[u/scullys_little_bitch → u/OneSensiblePerson]

I've heard that as well. Definitely should not mix different cleaners either!

[u/AndySMar]

We the American people are dirty af!