The shower is possibly the largest cleaning task for us to tackle in the bathroom because of how often we use it, and it can sometimes be the hardest area to clean when soap scum and mold develop.
So how often should you clean your shower to keep it hygienic and looking its best? While you can clean glass shower doors after every use to keep water marks at bay, how often you deep clean your shower will depend largely on how many people use it and what products are used.
Here, professional cleaners reveal how frequently we should be cleaning our showers to keep them spotless.
How often to clean a shower
In short, there is no set frequency for cleaning your shower, as this is one spot that should be cleaned based on its usage, as opposed to being cleaned on a schedule, experts suggest.
While a good cleaning tip is to clean your shower once a week, perhaps when cleaning a bathroom, this may not be enough to offset your household's usage.
This warm, damp spot is prone to the growth of bacteria and mold, for example – two things none of us want to be showering with.
Here is what else affects how often you clean a shower.
- How often people use the shower: It only makes sense that a space that is used a lot will become dirtier quicker than a space that is used every few days, begins Michael Golubev, cleaning and mold technician, and CEO of Mold Busters. If you are a household that takes daily showers, then expect to need to clean your shower more frequently to remove a bigger buildup of bacteria and mold spores. If you live alone or with one other person and you only shower every other day or so, then you may get away with cleaning once a week.
- Which products you use in the shower: 'Surprisingly, the type of products you use in the shower also affects how frequently your shower would need a proper scrub down,’ shares Karina Toner, cleaning expert at Spekless Cleaning Services. ‘Shampoos and soaps that contain a lot of oils and heavy conditioners will often leave behind a greasy residue no matter how thoroughly you rinse the shower area after use,’ Karina explains. ‘On the other hand, if you use a mild, water-soluble shampoo or soap that doesn't leave behind a residue, you may be able to go longer between cleanings because there's less buildup to clean up.’
- How many people use the shower: Along with how often people use the shower, the number of different people using the shower will also have an impact on how often you need to clean the space, Karina Toner, a cleaning expert, continues. ‘With more people using the shower, there's also a greater chance of insufficient drying times between uses, potentially increasing the risk of bacteria and mold growing in the moist environment,’ she says. What’s more, with a number of different people using the shower, there is likely to be more variety in products used too, contributing to grime build-up and unsightly marks on walls and glass.
How often should you deep clean a shower
Deep cleaning your shower is a little different from your quick weekly clean, and may also include cleaning mold in the shower or opting for specific cleaners to get rid of hard water stains, such as cleaning with vinegar.
As a rule of thumb, cleaning expert Karina Toner suggests that you deep clean a shower once every month (or two if the space is not used frequently).
‘Regular wipe-downs may not be enough especially for hard-to-reach areas like grout lines and tight corners. Don't forget to focus on areas that are commonly overlooked, such as cleaning showerheads, faucets, and drains,’ she reminds us. Remember to clean the shower curtain, if you have one, to avoid mold and odors.
FAQs
Should I clean my shower after every use?
While there is little reason to clean your shower with cleaning products after every single use, it is a good idea to use a squeegee to remove water and soap droplets from walls and shower doors to help prevent staining and tough-to-remove water marks from marring the look of your shower, says Karina Toner, cleaning expert at Spekless Cleaning. You could also use a clean dry cloth to dry any metal faucets to prevent water marks from staining those too.
How long should it take to clean a shower?
It should take around 15 to 20 minutes to deep clean a shower on average if you are cleaning grout lines and removing hard water stains from shower doors and tiles. When quickly cleaning your shower, this time is often shorter, requiring less than 10 minutes to spray walls and fixtures with a cleaning spray and wipe it away afterward.
Knowing how often to clean a shower is important to keep it hygienic, after all, it is one of the dirtiest spots in our home, says Michael Golubev, cleaning technician. ‘Keeping up with cleaning is essential to prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which thrive in damp environments like showers,’ he warns. ‘Mold can cause various health issues, including respiratory problems and allergies, making it crucial to maintain a clean and mold-free shower area. Cleaning at least once a week, or even more, will help to combat that.’
