My shower doors sometimes get hard water stains built up on them (because we don't take the time to wipe them down!) What I do is get a damp rag, put a small amount or shampoo on it, and rub it with that. Then rinse, and take a dry rag and wipe it down. This works spectacularly well and only takes a minute or two. You can even do it when you are in the shower although you might be thought a little crazy!!! I use cheap shampoo like Suave, so it is not costly.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 11, 2002

Answers

Vinegar will clean shower doors, walls and a whole lot more. It's easy and quick to use. Put some in a spray bottle, spray, wipe with a soft scrubbie.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

Yes---- I totally agree with Cindy------VINEGAR!!!!! If you need more assistance ---warm the vinegar---it seems to help---- -also vinegar kills the germs!!!! When we had the motel---we cleaned windows ---bathrooms & mirrors-- desk tops---you name it with vinegar!!! Since a lot of people are chemical sensative----vinegar is safe for everyone & it works & it kills germs!!!!! But it by the gallon on sale & clean everything with it---

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), February 11, 2002.

Would shampoo work on tiles also? I can't use vinegar, I get a hearty round of protests from the menfolk, and since I'se the only womenfolk, they outnumber me!

I use a lot of ammonia and water to clean around here. So much cheaper than glass cleaner, and I can use it on my fixtures and countertops, and...

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 11, 2002.

Hello Folks,

An old-timer I use to know would just use a small squeegee and after each shower would just squeegee down the walls. I cleaned his home for him once a week and I never found any soap build-up in his shower stall.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

I think the shampoo would work on tiles, seems to cut soap and oil effortlessly. Vinegar doesn't seem to work on my shower doors...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 11, 2002.

What will help too is using shampoo to wash with instead of bar soap in the shower (save the bar soap for the sink, which is easier to clean). Same for bathtubs, use bubble bath or a capful of dishwashing liquid for your bubbles. No ring.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 11, 2002.

Christine: I am assuming the reason your guys don't like vinegar is the smell. I put three or four drops of lemon juice in my vinegar and it cuts the smell.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.

Yes, it is definitely the smell. If it wasn't for the end result, they'd refuse to let me make pickles! I'll have to try the lemon juice trick.

Melissa, I wouldn't think you were crazy - I clean the bathroom while the boys are in the tub, I talk on the phone, watch Martha Stewart, and fold clothes all at once, I do dishes and then do my fingernails because they are clean and the cuticles are soft, I take a bath and do my toenails (not polish, just the filing, cuticles, etc.) at the same time, I...(you get the drift!)

One other thing my mother would never let me forget when I was living at home. We had a bathtub only, and BEFORE you got out, you released the plug, ran your dirty washrag around the tub, and then after the water was gone, you took no more than two cupfuls of hot water and rinsed the tub out of any soap scum, hair, etc. - and if you didn't do it, she was sure to ask when you walked into the kitchen - "Did you rinse the tub?"

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 12, 2002.

Ernest,

We have used the squeege idea for quite a few years now and it does work great.

-- Terry - NW Ohio (aunt_tm@hotmail.com), February 12, 2002.