Here’s How Often To Clean Your Shower, According To An Expert

We all know the importance of having a clean shower, especially since this is the top destination we go to in order to get fresh and clean ourselves, but how often does it need tending to? We asked Jill Koch, cleaning expert and founder of @jillcomesclean, to give us all the details for how often we should be cleaning our shower and how to keep it clean.

Meet the Expert

Jill Koch is a cleaning expert and the founder of @jillcomesclean.

Why You Should Clean Your Shower Often

“It's important to wash our showers often for a couple of reasons,” she says. “The first is that it’s where we are getting dirt and grime off, and even though we are using soap and shampoo, dirt still accumulates there. Another reason to clean it often is because it’s a moist environment, so the more moisture and dirty water that accumulates, the more bacteria and mold can form.”

How Often Should You Clean Your Shower?

Koch advises cleaning your shower weekly, but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a serious deep clean every time. She says at the very least to clean the floor, any shelves, and glass doors (if you have them) as part of your weekly housekeeping line-up. Once a month, she ups her game a bit and does a more thorough clean, tackling the walls, washing the shower liner, and even cleaning the shower head. She says this is an important part of the shower to clean, as hard water buildup can have a negative effect on your hair and the longevity of your shower head.

“I find it easiest to clean the shower when one is in it, and for the quick cleans, I take a soap dispensing brush filled with my favorite cleaner—or you could also use dish soap—and quickly wipe down the floor, door, and shelves with that at the end of a shower, then rinse.”

Koch also notes that it’s important to get into a routine you can stick to so that soap scum and hard water don’t have a chance to build up because this will make cleaning your shower more tedious each time. And don’t forget to dry your fixtures, glass doors, and shelves or ledges with a microfiber cloth after cleaning to avoid water spots.

What About Showers in Guest Bathrooms?

When it comes to secondary bathrooms where the shower is infrequently used, Koch says you don’t need to follow as strict of a regimen. When cleaning the rest of the bathroom, she’ll typically give a guest shower a quick wipe-down, "just enough to get dust up and run some water through to the faucet.” Koch saves the deep cleans for before and after guests visit to ensure it’s in shipshape for their arrival and ready for any impromptu guests after their departure.

What Shower-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Koch has seen a lot of shower-cleaning mistakes over the years that are important to avoid to ensure your safety and a properly de-grimed space.

Cleaning Products

When it comes to personal safety, she advises sticking to one product to clean your whole space, as mixing different products can create harmful fumes that can be especially toxic in an unventilated location, such as a shower. A vinegar-water solution works well at penetrating porous surfaces like grout to eliminate mold and mildew, and spraying after each shower helps prevent any bacteria from coming back.

Bathroom Fan

Additionally, she says it’s important to take advantage of your bathroom fan after every shower to help control moisture, which can lead to mold and bacteria infestations that may require professional removal.

Shower Curtains

When it comes to actual cleaning faux pas, Koch says many people don’t realize that they need to clean their shower curtains and liners. Fabric curtains can simply be tossed in the washing machine and then air-dried once you hang them back up in the shower to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew. Plastic curtains and liners shouldn’t be cleaned in a washing machine. To clean them by hand, scrub the curtain with a soft cloth sprinkled with baking soda, then rinse. To soak, fill the tub with warm water, a tablespoon of laundry detergent, and one-fourth cup of baking soda. After soaking for about 10 minutes, scrub the liner with a soft sponge or cloth. Hang to dry. Replace your plastic curtain or liner about every six months.

Shower Doors

Another frequent cleaning mistake is not squeegeeing glass shower doors after each shower. She says that getting into this habit will keep your shower door cleaner longer, and you can keep a squeegee in your shower to help you remember.

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