Shower Tracks: The Overlooked Area in Your Bathroom That Needs Attention

Bathrooms contain numerous spots that can collect dirt, and shower tracks are frequently overlooked. Are you giving them the attention they deserve?

According to cleaning pros, shower tracks are often forgotten, leading to a buildup that needs prompt cleaning. This spring, consider implementing their cleaning suggestions for this frequently ignored area.

Why It's Essential to Clean Shower Tracks

Shower tracks, like any part of your bathroom, have specific reasons for needing consistent upkeep.

Delah Gomasi, a cleaning expert and CEO of MaidForYou, states, "As grime builds up, sliding the door becomes increasingly difficult. Dirt may also get pushed under the glass, creating hard-to-reach messes."

Moreover, neglecting to clean these areas can promote mold and mildew, making it a detrimental habit that raises the risk of mold growth in your bathroom.

"Lastly, allowing dirt to accumulate can lead to scratches on the glass edge over time," Delah adds, potentially resulting in expensive repairs.

When did you last tend to your shower tracks?

Steps to Clean Shower Tracks

Ready to tackle this vital cleaning task? Here's what you'll need:

• A crevice scrubbing brush like the SXhyf Cleaning Brush from Amazon
• An effective cleaning solution, whether it's store-bought or an eco-friendly alternative you prefer, like vinegar
• A microfiber cloth such as the Great Value Multipurpose Microfiber Cloth from Walmart

Got your cleaning supplies ready? Follow Delah's steps for deep cleaning shower tracks:

1. Remove loose debris. "Clearing out loose dirt simplifies the cleaning process," he advises, but ensure the tracks are completely dry first. Use a brush or handheld vacuum to gather dirt into a corner and remove as much as possible. Delah prefers to do a thorough clean and then use a blower for the corners.
2. Select a cleaning product. "For routine upkeep, vinegar is effective and kills mold, but for tougher grime, opt for a heavy-duty cleaner like Lysol Power Foaming Cleaning Spray from Walmart, or dilute dish soap with warm water," recommends Delah.
3. Scrub thoroughly. Utilize a narrow, stiff-bristled brush to scrub the edges and corners, the areas where soap scum and dirt tend to linger. Delah suggests wetting the tracks with your cleaning solution for a few minutes before scrubbing to maximize effectiveness, and scrub in the opposite direction of the glass to prevent debris from being pushed underneath.
4. Clear away wet debris. Use paper towels, a sponge, or cloth to wipe up the loosened dirt.
5. Rinse and dry. Rinse the tracks thoroughly and soak up excess water with a cloth. This may need to be repeated a couple of times until the tracks are clean. Delah finishes by drying the area and leaving the door open to ensure it dries completely.

OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set

This two-piece set is ideal for reaching tight corners and eliminating dirt from hard-to-reach areas.

Method Bathroom Cleaner

This cleaner shows that you don't need harsh chemicals to achieve good results. Its plant-based ingredients are tough on grime while being gentle on surfaces and the environment.

HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

These lint-free microfiber cloths are highly absorbent, making them perfect for removing excess water from your shower tracks without spreading it around.

Cleaning Frequency for Shower Tracks

Knowing that shower tracks need cleaning is crucial, but how often should you attend to them?

"It varies based on how quickly dirt accumulates in your tracks," Delah explains. He recommends a few maintenance tips to keep them clean between deep cleans.

For instance, wiping down the tracks after each shower can significantly aid in keeping them clean and preventing mildew. If you don't clean daily, tackle them when visible dirt appears, which is a practice of those who maintain tidy bathrooms.

"If you're not wiping them down regularly or including them in your typical 15-minute bathroom cleaning routine, aim to clean your shower tracks weekly," he concludes.

Using multi-functional brushes will help keep your shower tracks dry and free from mold.

Meet Our Expert

Delah Gomasi

With over ten years in the cleaning industry, Delah conducts training workshops focusing on often-neglected areas in homes, such as shower tracks.

Common Questions

How frequently should you clean a seldom-used bathroom?

Even if you can clean a bathroom in 30 minutes or less, rooms that aren't frequently used only need cleaning about once a month to clear away dust and prevent bacteria buildup. Remember to run the water in the shower and sink regularly, and flush toilets to avoid traps drying out and causing odors or pests.

Cleaning the shower tracks is just one of several tasks to make post-shower cleanup easier.

Open windows to release humidity, use a squeegee like the Great Value Squeegee from Walmart, and rinse down the shower walls to simplify cleaning later.