How To Get a Shower Floor Squeaky Clean the Natural Way
Is there anything better than a sparkling-clean shower floor? Okay, there definitely is, but we’re sure it’s right up there at the top of your list, and the clean feels even better when you know it was done in a way that’s healthy for both you and the environment.
The big question is: What’s the best way to clean shower floors effectively and naturally?
Here, the team at Tidy Up Portland! covers everything you need to know about how to clean a shower floor. From soap scum and grime to those sneaky mildew spots, you’ll come away with the knowledge of what it takes to give your shower floor a natural glow-up and keep it looking fresh between cleanings.
Table of Contents
How To Clean a Shower Floor by Type
How To Clean a Ceramic or Porcelain Tile Shower Floor
The grout on tile shower floors is prone to getting grungy. To spiff it up:
Pre-rinse by spraying the floor with warm water to wash away loose dirt and hair.
Spray a pH-neutral cleaner or mild dish soap solution across the floor.
Wait 5 to 10 minutes to give the solution time to break down oils and soap scum.
Use a soft or medium-bristle brush (a long-handled deck brush works well here!) to scrub the tiles and grout lines.
Rinse the shower floor completely with warm water.
Let it air-dry or wipe it down with a soft towel.
How To Clean a Natural Stone Shower Floor
For natural stone shower floors, it's especially important to stick to stone-safe cleaning methods to avoid stripping the stone. Try this safe protocol:
Spray the floor with warm water to wet the surface and loosen grime.
Pour or spray a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner or a mild mixture of water and a few drops of Dawn dish soap onto the floor.
Allow the cleaner to sit for 5 to 10 minutes to break down soap scum and body oils. This step keeps you from having to break your back scrubbing!
Use a soft-bristle nylon brush or a non-scratch pad to work the cleaner into the stone and grout lines using small, circular motions.
Rinse the floor thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap and residue.
Wipe the floor down with a clean microfiber cloth or use a squeegee to prevent standing hard water spots.
How To Clean an Acrylic Shower Floor
Acrylic shower floors are the easiest to clean since they have a smooth, continuous surface with no grout lines for soap scum and mold to hide in. Simply:
Spray the shower floor with warm water to wash away loose dirt and hair.
Spray a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water onto the surface.
Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to dissolve soap scum.
Scrub with a soft microfiber cloth or a non-scratch sponge using circular motions.
Make a paste of baking soda and water, and apply it to discolored areas, if needed. Let it sit for a few minutes and rub gently with a soft sponge before rinsing.
Rinse the floor to remove the residue, then wipe it dry with a clean towel to prevent water spots.
How To Clean a Fiberglass Shower Floor
For cleaning fiberglass shower floors, use non-abrasive products and follow these steps:
Apply dish soap or liquid laundry detergent to a sponge, brush, or cloth.
Gently rub the shower floor in a circular motion.
Rinse thoroughly with water.
Dry the floor with a soft cloth.
If you have tougher stains that don’t respond to gentle scrubbing, consider trying one of these methods:
Make a baking soda paste, apply it to the stain, and leave it for several hours before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Pour vinegar over soap scum stains and hard water deposits. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse well.
Saturate a folded cloth with hydrogen peroxide. Place it over the stain and leave overnight. Rinse the shower floor thoroughly with water.
Aim to clean your shower once a week and tackle stains as they appear to avoid an intense, time-consuming scrubbing session later.
The easiest way to keep your shower floor clean and sparkling is to let someone else do it for you. Tidy Up Portland! specializes in residential house cleaning and housekeeping services in Portland, Oregon, and we have lots of cleaning plan options to choose from to give you just the right level of help cleaning your home. Contact us today to schedule your first clean!
Commonly Asked Questions About How To Clean a Shower Floor
You can’t use vinegar to clean just any shower floor. At Tidy Up Portland!, we don't recommend vinegar for cleaning tile floors since its acidity can quickly break down the grout’s seal.
To clean your fiberglass shower floor using vinegar, simply:
- Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle. Warm the vinegar slightly in the microwave first to boost its grease-cutting power.
- Spray the liquid evenly across your shower floor.
- Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes to break down soap scum and hard water deposits.
- Scrub with a soft-bristled brush or non-abrasive sponge, paying special attention to any non-slip areas or textured grooves.
- Rinse the floor thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining soap or residue.
Chemical cleaning products often contain toxic ingredients that can have various acute effects , including eye and skin irritation or rashes, child poisoning, and breathing problems.
Long-term effects of chemical cleaner use also include a higher risk of lung cancer, asthma, allergic contact dermatitis, and reproductive harm.
That’s why it makes sense to choose more natural cleaning methods. Depending on your type of shower, consider using:
- Vinegar to break down soap scum and hard water deposits
- Rubbing alcohol to disinfect the area
- Baking soda in combination with vinegar to remove tough stains
- Hydrogen peroxide to remove tough stains
- A sponge or scrubber for gentle scrubbing
- A squeegee for drying
Shower floors can become darkened and dingy from a combination of soap scum, body oils, and mildew . The best way to clean your shower floor when this happens is to:
- Pour undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle or mix it with baking soda into a paste.
- Let the solution sit on the dark stains for 10 to 30 minutes to allow the oxidation process to lift the discoloration.
- Gently scrub the floor with a soft brush or toothbrush.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
How Do I Clean a Shower Floor Without Scrubbing?
The best way to avoid scrubbing your shower floor is by keeping up with everyday maintenance by:
Squeegeeing after each use to stop water spots and scum from forming
Maintaining adequate ventilation by running the bathroom fan or opening a window to help the space dry quickly and prevent mold
What Is the Easiest Way To Clean a Shower Floor Mat?
The easiest way to clean the floor mat in your shower depends on its material:
Fabric bath mats:
Shake out loose dirt and check the care label.
Wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle with normal laundry detergent.
Add half a cup of baking soda for odors if the backing allows.
Air-dry the mat flat or hang it over the shower wall to protect rubber backings.
Plastic or rubber non-slip mats:
Fill the tub with warm water and dish soap or a mild cleaner.
Scrub both sides of the mat using a bristled brush.
Rinse the mat thoroughly with clean water.
Hang to air-dry completely before placing it back on your shower floor.
Tidy Up Portland! Cleaning Shower Floors and More With Safe, Eco-Friendly Products and Practices
If you’re ready to take back your time and leave shower cleaning to the experts, the Tidy Up Portland! team is here to help. Our services are perfect for:
Busy households
Households with assorted fine, furry friends
Frequent travelers
People who appreciate using eco-friendly, chemical-free cleaning products in their homes
People who appreciate online booking and payment options
People who appreciate flexible schedules
Folks who hate cleaning
And everyone else!
We proudly:
Boast 170+ five-star reviews
Have a 4.9 Google rating
Have completed 10,000+ cleans
Are woman- and locally-owned
Have <1% call-backs
Tidy Up Portland! is the all-in-one solution to help keep your shower floor (and the rest of your home) a consistently clean and enjoyable space. Contact our team of professional cleaners today!
