Can cleaning restore a glass shower?

Although some people and products would like you to believe that they or their products can restore your old and dirty shower glass to look as good as new again, it's not true. There are several reasons for this, but let’s have a closer look at the two main culprits which decide whether a glass shower door can be restored, or not:

1. Lime, silica, and calcium deposits in hard water can leave stubborn and unsightly spots behind when the water dries.
2. Body fat is that yucky oily stuff from your body that sticks to the shower wall and glass. Serratia Marcescens is a bacteria that thrives in damp places- like our bathrooms, where there are plenty of these fatty deposits to feast on. As it feeds, it starts producing a pinkish pigment.

Both mineral deposits and body fat are fairly easy to control if your shower is properly cleaned at least once a week from the start- when it's still new. The problem is that this maintenance often gets neglected and dirt, soap scum, and other residues accumulate over time. The longer this is left, the deeper these minerals and body fat bacteria penetrate the glass.

These are the reasons why you may still be able to get rid of it after a few months, but after a year or so, you may need specialists to restore the damage. Left for a few years, you may no longer be able to remove all the damage.

So yes, neglected showers can be restored to their former sparkliness, but it depends on one factor- how long was it neglected. If left too long, and bacteria have penetrated the glass too deep, it might be too late.

Another fact that should not be forgotten, is age or wear and tear. Shower glass, like any other household item, deteriorates over time due to regular use and exposure to water and chemicals. If the glass is old or has undergone significant wear and tear, it may be impossible to restore it to its original appearance.