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How to Clean Acrylic Shower Wall Surround
Now that you have a brand new acrylic shower, the next question you should be asking is how to clean and care for your new shower walls. It may come as a surprise to you that cleaning acrylic bath walls requires some special attention to keep it looking nice.
Acrylic bath wall systems have a number of advantages that will keep them cleaner longer and make the actual cleaning process easier. The solid surface prevents mildew and mold growth because there isn’t any tiny spaces for moisture to get trapped in. The material itself is infused with antimicrobial properties to further deter the development of mold and mildew.
Without mold removal and prevention to worry about, cleaning becomes much easier with less scrubbing involved. You don’t need to use harsh chemicals. In fact, gritty chemicals like Comet and abrasive cleaning tools like Magic Erasers and Scotch Brite Pads, should be avoided to prevent damage to your beautiful new shower walls.
Non-abrasive chemicals such as Windex and Tilex are acceptable chemicals to use to clean acrylic shower walls. Review the list below for more chemicals you can use to clean your new solid shower wall surface.
Acceptable cleaners:
- 409 Spray
- Tilex
- Windex
- Fantastik
- Lime-A-Way
- Simple Green
- Fabuloso
- Green Works
- Spic & Span
- Bleach
- Pine-Sol
- Vinegar
The back of some chemical bottles may claim they are safe to use on specific surfaces, however those claims are not always true. It’s best to follow the recommendations your installer gives you with your new shower surround system. The following cleaners may damage the surface of acrylic shower wall surrounds and void the warranty.
Do not use:
- Comet
- Soft Scrub
- Ajax
- Magic Eraser
- Scotch-Brite Pads
- Acetone
- MEK
- Ammonia products
By cleaning your shower on a regular basis you will find that the above listed cleaners will not be needed because you didn’t allow any time for scum and water minerals to build up. All you will need to clean the shower surround is a soft cloth or sponge and some warm soapy water or a mild cleaner from the approved list.
If you do forget to clean your shower one week and discover the job has become harder to do, do not be tempted to use harsher chemicals to take care of any buildup. Instead, use a mixture of water and vinegar. Spray it on the walls and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the buildup. Next, wipe it down with a sponge or cloth.
In the event that you need to disinfect your shower area, a 50/50 mixture of bleach and water can be used to clean bacteria off the surface of your acrylic shower walls.
Whichever chemical you choose, make sure you rinse it off of the walls once you are finished wiping it down to prevent any chemical buildup from making your acrylic shower walls look dirty.
You may find that cleaning the whole shower at once allow too much time before rinsing, leaving leftover chemical solution dried on the acrylic shower walls, leaving them looking dull and feeling chalky. To prevent this from happening, clean one section of the shower wall at a time and then rinse that section before moving on to the next section. This process will make thoroughly rinsing the shower walls that much easier for you.
Developing some disciplined to regularly wipe down your shower will not only keep your shower looking incredible throughout the week it will make cleaning that much faster when chores need to be done.
Cleaning an acrylic shower wall surround is so much easier than cleaning tile, you may even find yourself looking forward to the job. If you are still struggling to keep a tile shower clean and spot free, consider replacing those tile walls with an acrylic wall shower system. Contact Five Star Bath Solutions for a free estimate. You’ll be glad you did!
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At Five Star Bath Solutions we know how important it is that your bathroom is both beautiful and functional. We help you choose the best and most beautiful solutions for your bathroom design needs and go above and beyond to give you the high quality service you expect. We have many locations to serve you. Request your free estimate today!