Can You Use Toilet Cleaners For Your Showers: Understanding How To Use Toilet Cleaners

Shower cleaning is one chore that many people dislike. But then, it’s something we must do regularly to remove soap scum and grime which accumulate over time. Cleaning your shower keeps it sparkling and keeps you safe from microbial infections.

There are many effective cleaning solutions but some people prefer toilet cleaners because of their effectiveness in removing stubborn stains on toilet bowls.

Everyone wants quick and elective solutions for household cleaning but some cleaning materials are not adequate for all purposes. This takes us to the question.  

Can You Use Toilet Cleaners for Your Showers

Toilet bowl cleaners are not ideal for cleaning your shower because they contain strong chemicals. These chemicals can discolor and ruin your shower’s surfaces.

Toilet bowl cleaners can harm the chrome plating on your shower, in addition to discoloring the surface. When you take a shower, the cleaners are likely to be exposed to your skin, causing skin irritation and even burns.

Toilet bowl cleaners are potent against germs and debris, but they might cause more harm than good on shower surfaces. Therefore, avoid using them as a routine shower cleaner.

Ingredients In Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Toilet bowl cleaners contain the following ingredients. 

Bleach:

Bleach is well-known for its whitening ability. Bleach also kills germs, making it an excellent choice for toilet cleaning.

Bleach is a corrosive substance. It should not be swallowed or inhaled in any way. It works on a variety of surfaces, not only grimes and stains. Even before applying the bleach cleaner on the toilet, you must dilute it because it is too harsh to use at full strength. 

Bleach can also damage the protective coating on your shower tiles and the chrome finishes on your showerhead, causing them to lose their lustrous sheen.

Ammonia:

Because of its disinfecting properties, ammonia is a common active ingredient in toilet bowl cleaners. It works well to remove mold, stains, and mildew. While ammonia-based cleaners are weaker bases than bleach, they can nevertheless damage shower surfaces.

Ammonia, like bleach, can create a residue that collects additional filth and discolors your shower tile grout over time. The use of ammonia products in the shower on a regular basis will weaken and dissolve the grout.

Hydrochloric acid:

Hydrochloric acid removes difficult stains from most surfaces. It’s also an effective way to clear mineral stains from toilet bowls and unclog drains and pipes.

However, acid is a highly caustic and powerful material. It can eat away at the tile grout and damage shower tiles surfaces. It produces harmful gasses that affect the respiratory system. Also, contact with the skin can cause burns.

Shower Cleaning Alternatives To Toilet Bowl Cleaners

There are several milder and less toxic cleaning alternatives to toilet bowl cleaners. There are many brands to choose from, but you may also make your own using some simple DIY techniques.

Water and vinegar:

Vinegar is acidic but it’s milder than hydrochloric acid found in toilet cleaners. A vinegar-water mixture is an inexpensive and effective cleaning alternative.

A vinegar-water solution can remove filth buildup, soap scum and shower tile and grout stains. Vinegar is also a natural deodorant so it can help you get rid of any unpleasant odors in your shower.

Vinegar and baking soda:

Vinegar combines with baking soda to form a paste that guarantees safe and effective cleaning for shower tile and grout. This treatment can keep the tile grout gleaming clean, which is crucial for maintaining the pristine appearance of your shower tiles.

Shower Cleaning Hacks

Cleaning your shower shortly after use gives you the best result. The reason is that your shower’s damp surface will loosen the grime and make cleaning easier. Find below simple but effective cleaning tips for your shower.

Cleaning fiberglass shower:

Fiberglass or acrylic showers are popular in many homes. Why? They are reasonably inexpensive and simple to install. With a few common household components, fiberglass showers are also easy to clean. 

Avoid using harsh scrubbing products to clean a fiberglass shower since they can scratch the surface. Spray the entire area with a commercial shower cleanser or a homemade shower cleaning solution of soap and vinegar after removing all shower accessories and bottles. 

Note that shower faucets are prone to soap scum build-up so clean around faucets and in corners with a soft-bristled brush.

While the vinegar-dish soap solution is still wet, sprinkle the shower floor with baking soda. Allow 10 minutes to pass and scrub gently with a soft brush. Wipe with a towel to avoid water spots.

Cleaning ceramic tiles:

Ceramic tiles are long-lasting and easy to clean, but the grout can easily trap dirt and mildew. A commercial cleaner or a vinegar-soap mixture will suffice for ceramic tiles.

Allow the cleaning solution to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits for several minutes before scrubbing with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and wipe away any excess water with a clean cloth.

Cleaning stone showers:

Stone showers are permeable and so are prone to scratches and stains. So they require special cleaning techniques. Avoid cleaners with acidic content such as vinegar as they can harm the stone surface.

Use mild cleaners or stone-specific solutions to clean stone showers. A great homemade solution is soap dish and water. Scrub gently with a sponge or microfiber cloth and rinse with a dry towel. 

Always remember to wipe the stone surface dry after using the bathroom. Polishing periodically will keep the stone surface in excellent condition for a long time.

Cleaning glass shower doors:

A warm solution of white vinegar and dish soap is an effective shower glass door cleaning solution. Make glass shower doors sparkle. Pour the solution into a spray bottle halfway and spray both sides of the doors. After around 30 minutes, wipe away the cleaning solution with a damp sponge and clean water, then dry with a microfiber towel.

You can also use a baking soda and dish soap mixture. Simply apply the paste on the glass shower doors clean gently with a soft brush and rinse thoroughly.

To clean your showerhead:

You should half-fill a sandwich bag with CLR or white vinegar. Then place your showerhead inside. Turn on the shower to mix the solution after securing it with a rubber band or bands.

Don’t turn the shower on full blast to avoid the bag pulling out due to pressure. After 60 minutes, take the bag out of the showerhead after 60 minutes. Wipe off the shower head with a moist cloth after discarding the bag and solution. If you discover any clogged spouts, repeat the operation until they disappear.

To clean a clogged shower drain:

First, look for any obstructions in your drain. The most prevalent cause is hair clumps. Next, double-check to confirm that your drain is open. Some drains feature a stopper that you can unscrew and remove. Ensure the stopper isn’t blocking the drain.

If water isn’t draining after you’ve removed any obvious obstacles and double-checked that the drain is open, it’s time to unclog it. 

Use a drain snake or remove the clog by hand. If some clog remains, use hot water to dissolve softer build-up around the edges. Repeat the process two or three times more.

Natural DIY cleaners are just as effective as commercial cleaners in removing shower drain clogs. Mix equal amounts of vinegar and baking soda in a bowl. Pour boiling water down the drain first to soften the clog, then add the baking soda-vinegar mixture and allow 15 minutes. Rinse with hot water.

Shower Cleaning Tools

Showers require regular cleaning, so it’s essential to have the necessary cleaning items in your home. Scrubbing away filth and grime can be easier with the correct cleaning tools. 

Shower brush;

A shower brush is the first essential cleaning tool to have. A brush will dislodge soap scum and mineral deposits more effectively than a sponge. 

A brush with a diamond-shaped head will reach into corners more easily than one with a flat head. Remember to disinfect your shower brush occasionally to keep it free of germs.

Squeegee or towels:

Squeegee is necessary for removing excess water from shower walls and doors. After each shower, use a squeegee or a bath towel to wipe away excess water from the walls and doors to water spots and soap scum buildup. Some squeegees have a suction-cup that you can attach to the shower head for convenience. 

Shower cleaners:

Homemade solutions will work as much as commercial cleaners. Note that different surfaces may require different cleaners. Use cleaning solutions and scrubbers that won’t affect the material of your shower surfaces. 

Shower cleaning sprays are a quick and easy solution to avoid soap accumulation. After you exit the shower, spray the shower walls according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Note that too much spray will result in streaking. Also, avoid using oil-based shower sprays on floors to avoid slips and falls. Rather, use them only on your shower walls.

Conclusion

Toilet cleaners are effective against stubborn stains but they’re not suitable shower cleaners for several reasons. First, they contain harsh chemicals like bleach and hydrochloric acid which can discolor your shower surfaces and ruin your shower chrome coating.

Using toilet cleaners will expose you to these chemicals which can irritate and burn your skin. Consider milder alternatives or even homemade options like vinegar-water solution and vinegar and baking powder paste.