Every homeowner has at one point or another had questions about how to properly maintain aspects of their home—for example, their walk-in shower. This fixture is used often and almost constantly exposed to wet conditions, which can cause faster wear and tear. However, the good news is that manufacturers have considered this carefully and designed their shower systems to be durable and easy to keep clean. Read on to learn about how to clean a walk-in shower floor.

The Different Parts of a Shower

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of cleaning a walk-in shower, it’s important to understand that the make, material, and model of your shower pan will largely influence how you clean it. Here’s a quick refresh on shower anatomy: A shower pan—or simply, a shower floor—is the base of the shower, where you stand. Traditionally, this part of a walk-in shower consists of ceramic or porcelain tile that’s built directly into the bathroom floor. Modern shower pans, however, are usually prefabricated units that are fastened to the bathroom floor during the installation process.

Shower pans can be engineered out of many different types of materials, such as fiberglass, acrylic, tile, and composite. Acrylic is the most popular material these days because it’s incredibly durable and nonporous, making it a long-lasting and low-maintenance option. While acrylic shower pans don’t need daily attention to retain their like-new luster, they should still be cleaned every once in a while.

Cleaning Your Walk-in Shower Floor

Regardless of what material your shower pan is made from, the necessary walk-in shower cleaning tools and processes will look similar. Below is a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning your walk-in shower floor:

1. To start, squirt about ½ teaspoon of non-alkaline liquid dish detergent into a bucket and then add about one gallon of warm water to create a mild soap solution. It’s important that you don’t use harsh chemicals, as these may damage the surface.
2. Fill a second bucket with plain warm water (no soap).
3. Take a clean rag (microfiber is recommended) and dip it into the soap solution. Using the rag, wipe the shower floor to remove grime and discoloration. If there are stubborn stains, you may need a scrub brush, but be careful not to choose one that is too stiff or a scouring sponge—these can damage the surface.
4. Continue to wipe the entire shower floor with the soap solution until the acrylic comes completely clean, rinsing the rag in the clean water bucket after each wipe. If you have a handheld showerhead, you can use this to rinse when you’re done.
5. Finally, wipe the shower floor thoroughly with a clean towel to dry it.

Important Things to Consider When Cleaning Your Walk-in Shower

Homeowners are choosing to install shower pans made from acrylic because they are long-lasting and require minimal maintenance. While extremely durable, this plastic material blend can react poorly to certain walk-in shower cleaning tools and cleaning agents with harsh chemical profiles. In short, you shouldn’t grab just any off-the-shelf solution when the time comes for a quick clean. To avoid leaving behind chemical stains, scratches, or other damage caused by a chemical reaction, follow these tips:

• Don’t use hard scrubs. Certain scrubs, such as scouring sponges, can scratch your acrylic shower pan and permanently damage the shine.
• Don’t leave a harsh cleaning product on for long periods. Try to avoid leaving active cleaning agents on your shower pan for an extended amount of time. If you must use something stronger than soap and water, wait just 10 minutes for the product to work its magic, then give it a thorough rinse or wipe with a clean cloth.
• Do use an acrylic-safe cleaning agent. When cleaning acrylic, stay away from cleansers with acetone—these solutions can do more harm than good. You can try to make your own acrylic-safe cleaning products, but for the best results, your favorite dish soap is all you need.
• Do rinse all of the product off. It’s important to rinse all of the cleaning agents off your shower pan to avoid creating a slippery surface and to protect your skin from potential irritation caused by any products.

While acrylic shower pans are known for their durability and low-maintenance qualities, it’s still important to clean them regularly to prevent excess dirt and grime from building up over time. If the floor of your walk-in shower simply won’t come clean and you’d like to have a new shower pan installed instead, all you need to do is reach out to Jacuzzi Bath Remodel. We carry a wide selection of premium products that are made from high-quality materials and will stand the test of time. Contact us today to learn more.