When designing a new bathroom, many people will put in glass shower doors as opposed to the typical curtain. The sleek and modern look is very appealing to complete the room. However, that aesthetic can fade quickly once the inevitable happens. Those beautiful shower doors are now covered in white and blackspots and build up. But, what causes those dirty glass shower doors?
The answer: Soap Scum and Mildew
But, what exactly is soap scum?
To reiterate, soap scum is the white film that will cover everything in the shower just from regular use. This is due to the type of water. Water can be considered hard or soft. In this case hard water is the culprit for soap scum and other build ups since it is full of minerals. More specifically, this scum forms when minerals such as magnesium and calcium come in contact with soap. Hence, soap scum.
Basically, when using shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, etc. (ie: the only products used in a shower), soap scum can form. This is typically an issue that slowly starts and by the time of realization, the damage is done. This build up can be extremely hard to get rid of. Of course, there are many cleaning products or environmentally friendly options to try and combat the wicked soap scum. However, these options are incredibly time consuming and require so much elbow grease. Not to mention, some of the DIY solutions can even make the problem worse! Folks can also buy a water softener, however that is extremely costly and not practical for the average consumer.
More Hard Water issues?
Now, let’s get into hard water spots. These are similar to soap scum in their white appearance as well as causation from hard water. The high concentration of minerals in water really does people dirty–literally. When hard water evaporates after a shower, these minerals will stick around leaving spots which create dirty glass shower doors. These spots are referred to as lime scale since their appearance resembles shingles or scales. Hard water spots are very difficult to get rid of as well.
The scale of hard water to soft water differs depending on water supply. There is a common misconception that only well water will give hard, mineral full water. However, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, 85% of homes in the nation have hard water.
What is mildew?
Obviously, mildew is a common issue in many homes. Furthermore, it is also a major contributor to dirty glass shower doors. This black gunk forms in the door joints. Supposedly, uncleaned soap scum can contribute to the extra build up of mildew and mold according to The Spruce. Scientifically speaking, mildew is fungal hyphae which, for starters, just sounds disgusting. More importantly, mildew can grow very quickly. Mildew loves a damp and warm environment which makes the shower its favorite location.
Why are these buildups harmful?
There are a few reasons that make soap scum and mildew harmful. To start, at a very vain level, both of these buildups are very unappealing to look at. Soap scum coats the dirty glass shower doors and mildew settles in all of its nooks and crannies. As mentioned above, glass doors are a very aesthetically pleasing, integral piece to a bathroom’s ultimate look. These two films are single-handedly creating a gross appearance and space. The shower, a place where humans solely go to get clean, is not where anyone wants that kind of environment.
More importantly, both soap scum and mildew can be harmful to health and the glass itself. Soap scum can start to breed Serratia marcescens which is a pink bacteria that can lead to many different infections. Mildew on the other hand, if left untreated can become mold which then has the opportunity to become dangerous. Mildew can become Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys (also known as black mold). Although typically harmless, mold can eventually cause many respiratory issues or allergies.
Glass is also porous which allows it to get dirty very easily. Without proper cleaning, this can cause corrosion which eventually leads to a very expensive solution.
Well, what can someone do to clean and prevent these problems? REVIVIFY!
After experiencing the neverending battle with soap scum and mildew on glass shower doors, we know the best choice is contacting REVIVIFY.
At REVIVIFY, we offer a fantastic service that will completely rid any shower door of soap scum, mildew and other build ups. We know that this kind of problem requires special attention. While using specialty and proprietary cleaners, REVIVIFY can give every shower the deep clean it deserves. No matter if the door is free standing or framed glass, the calcium, mold, and mildew deposits will be completely removed. We put customer satisfaction first. At REVIVIFY, we will make sure each customer is happy with the results before sealing and buffing the door. This will further protect against soap scum and mildew. This will leave shower door looking completely new.
To contact REVIVIFY, please fill out our contact form or call 360-369-3498.