How to Clean a Fiberglass Shower Pan

A nice, hot shower is the perfect relaxation method after a long, busy day. Your clean fiberglass shower floor makes for an attractive piece with its shiny surface, but seeing those unsightly water stains, soap scum, and mold spots can ruin your mood. 

A fiberglass pan is a common feature in freestanding showers, most notably in older homes, as it is easy to install and relatively inexpensive. Fiberglass is made by encasing glass fibers in resin, and adding a layer of protective coat, giving it that signature smooth and shiny appearance.

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How to Clean a Fiberglass Shower Floor

A fiberglass shower floor can get especially dirty, as the protective layer can easily scratch, leaving nooks for mold to grow. Hard water mineral deposits, soap scum, and dirt can stain the surface, and make your shower floor look mucky. Knowing how to clean a fiberglass shower can maintain its luster, and prolong its lifespan. 

Use Warm Soapy Water

Warm, soapy water makes a great cleaning solution perfect for your regular cleaning routine. The hot water loosens dirt, while the dish soap lifts away stains for spotless cleaning. Add in powdered oxygen bleach only if your shower floor is white, as it will sap the color out of most materials. 

You Will Need:

• Warm Water
• Dish Soap
• Powdered Oxygen Bleach (optional) 
• Bucket
• Sponge
  

To Use:

1. Add 2-3 squirts of dish soap into a bucket filled with hot or warm water. Add in a scoop of powdered oxygen bleach (optional) and mix thoroughly. 
   

2. Dip a sponge into the soapy mixture, and scrub your shower floor as normal, focusing on stained areas, water marks, mineral deposits, and soap scum. 
   

3. Rinse the floor with warm water. Allow the area to dry completely. 
   

4. Repeat the process at least twice a week for general shower maintenance.

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Use Vinegar and Dish Soap

Vinegar is our go-to household cleaner, as it lifts away nearly any stain. Its acidic properties makes it a powerful cleaner that cleans dirt and grime away from most surfaces, including your fiberglass shower floor. 

You Will Need:

• White Vinegar
• Dawn Dish Soap
• Hot Water
• Spray Bottle
• Sponge or Soft-bristled Brush
• Clean Cloth
  

To Use:

1. Mix together equal amounts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Add in one tablespoon of Dawn dish soap and swirl to incorporate.
   

2. Spray the solution around the entire fiberglass area, and include shower walls, faucet, handles, and shower head.
   

3. Let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes. 
   

4. Use a sponge or soft-bristled brush to scrub away at the loosened dirt. Wipe dry with a clean cloth or rinse away solution with water. 
   

5. You can use the same solution to clean the shower head by placing the solution in a plastic bag to soak the showerhead overnight for full cleaning. 

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Use A Baking Soda Paste

For those stubborn stains and spots, reach to your pantry for some baking soda and form a baking soda paste with a little water. This powerful paste will kill mold on the spot, and baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to scrub away at stained areas.

You Will Need:

• Baking Soda
• Distilled Water
• Soft-bristled Brush or Old Toothbrush
• Clean Cloth
  

To Use:

1. Make a paste using ¼ cup baking soda and enough water to form a paste. 
   

2. Apply the baking soda paste onto stained areas for spot cleaning. Use a soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush to work the paste into stains, working in a circular motion to prevent streaks on your shower pan.
   

3. Let the baking soda paste sit for the mixture to lift the stains and kill mold spots; around 15 minutes or until paste is dry. 
   

4. Use the brush to scrub away loosened stains, and wipe off dried baking soda powder with a clean cloth. Repeat is necessary.

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Use Bleach Gel

Unless you have a colored shower floor, use bleach for a whitening cleaning agent that instantly removes unsightly stains and spots. Make a bleach gel for a stronger hold onto stained areas, and for tougher stain-removing action.

You Will Need:

• Bleach
• Cornstarch
• Water
• Old Unused Pot
• Bottle with a Spout Tip
• Soft-bristled Brush
  

To Use:

1. Mix together 6 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 cups of water in an old, unused pot. Place the pot on the stove and heat while continuously stirring, until the mixture has thickened into a gel-like slurry.
   

2. Remove the mixture from heat, and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Afterwards, add in 10-12 tablespoons of bleach (the more bleach, the stronger your gel). 
   

3. Stir well and transfer the mixture into a bottle with a spout tip, like a glue bottle or an old ketchup bottle. Your homemade bleach gel is ready to use.
   

4. To use, apply the gel directly on stained areas, making sure the stain is completely covered by the gel. Place the bleach gel on mold spots in the grout, stubborn water stains on shower pan, and soap scum around the edges.
   

5. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, and use your soft-bristled brush or old toothbrush to gently scrub away the stain. Rinse off, and wipe the area dry. Repeat if necessary.

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Use A Commercial Cleaner

Readily available commercial cleaning products are convenient to access, easy to use, and work wonders in removing scum from fiberglass shower pans. Some commercial cleaners are specifically formulated for fiberglass shower floors. Look for oxalic-acid based cleaners that can remove rust spots and mold stains without damaging the shower pan. 

You Will Need:

• Commercial Bathroom Cleaner
• A Gentle Sponge
• Clean Cloth
• Gloves
• Mask
  

To Use:

1. Put on gloves and a mask, since most commercial cleaners can be harsh on skin, and release fumes that irritate the lungs.
   

2. To clean your shower pan, spray or apply the all-purpose cleaner around your fiberglass shower as per manufacturer’s directions. Allow to sit for the intended time.
   

3. Use a sponge to work the solution into stains. Scrub in a circular motion to prevent streaks, and use a gentle abrasive to avoid scratching the surface of the varnish. 
   

4. If the solution needs rinsing, rinse with water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Otherwise, allow the solution to completely dry, or use a clean cloth to wipe down the surface.

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Use a Magic Eraser

Magic Erasers work as both a sponge and cleaning solution in one, so you have ready-to-use cleaning equipment. They will usually need water to work, and some magic erasers, like Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, rely on its scrubbing material instead of harsh cleaners for a chemical-free cleaning. 

You Will Need:

• Magic Eraser (we recommend Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for a chemical-free option)
• Clean Cloth
  

To Use:

1. Wet the magic eraser with water. Use the eraser to scrub at stained areas, using light motions to avoid scratching the surface.
   

2. Keep using the eraser until the stain is completely gone. Rinse out the loose pieces, and wipe dry with a clean cloth.

How Often Should I Clean My Fiberglass Shower?

Showers are where we go to get clean, which is why it is so important to keep the shower area in pristine condition. Fiberglass showers, like most showers, must be cleaned at least twice a week to maintain its luster, and to prevent mold from growing in nooks and crannies. Hard water stains and soap scum can also accumulate without proper cleaning.

There are multiple methods of cleaning fiberglass showers, as long as they are gentle on the surface and don’t use harsh chemicals that may irritate your skin. 

For more cleaning tips and tricks, check out our blog. We have guides on how to maintain your bathroom from top to bottom so you can keep your home fresh and clean! If you need home cleaning services in Singapore, contact us to schedule your next cleaning session with our trained part time maids!