How to Clean a Fiberglass Shower Floor

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: February 4, 2023 References

Cleaning a fiberglass shower floor can breathe new life into your bathroom. The key to a sparkling shower floor is cleaning it regularly with a nonabrasive cleaner. If you need to get rid of tough stains, you can use baking soda, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Doing Routine Cleaning

1
Use a nonabrasive cleaner. If you have a fiberglass shower or tub, it is important that you only use nonabrasive cleaners, as abrasive cleaners can scratch the surface. Try using a dish washing liquid, liquid laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner, or a soft scrub product.^{[1]
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- Avoid abrasive cleaners like scouring powder or ammonia.
2
Apply cleaner with a nonabrasive applicator. You should only use cleaning tools that are not abrasive. Opt for a sponge, brush, or cloth that is made from polyethylene, polyester, or nylon.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning tools like steel wool or scrapers.
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3
Scrub gently. You do not want to scratch or dull the surface of the fiberglass. Apply the nonabrasive cleaner with a fiberglass friendly sponge, brush, or cloth and gently rub the surface. Keep in mind that some grime may need to be treated with a stronger cleaner in order to remove it.^{[2]
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4
Rinse with water and dry. Once you finish cleaning the shower floor, rinse the surface with water. Finally, use a soft cloth to dry the entire surface of the shower floor.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Tough Stains

1
Treat tough soap scum with baking soda. Mix a small amount of water with baking soda until a paste forms. Then spread the paste over the surface of the problem area. Leave the paste on for several hours. Rinse off with warm water.^{[3]
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2
Use vinegar to remove stubborn grime. Vinegar is strong enough to remove tough soap scum stains and hard water deposits. Pour vinegar over the problem area. Allow to sit for several minutes. Then use a fiberglass friendly sponge or brush to scrub the stain.^{[4]
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3
Remove tough stains with hydrogen peroxide. Place several layers of white cloth over the stain, and then completely saturate the cloth with hydrogen peroxide. Leave the material on the stains overnight, rinse with water, and then dry completely.^{[5]
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4
Try removing mildew stains with bleach. If the floor of your fiberglass shower is home to tough mildew stains, you can remove them with chlorine bleach. Apply a small amount to the stain. Allow the bleach to penetrate the stain for several minutes. If necessary, use a nonabrasive brush or cloth to scrub the stain. Rinse the shower floor with clean water.^{[6]
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5
Use oxalic acid for tough stains. Follow the directions on the product to prepare the oxalic acid. Then, apply the oxalic acid to the stain and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it away according to the product instructions.^{[7]
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- Oxalic acid can harm your skin, so wear protective gloves when using it. It's also a good idea to wear eye protection.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Shower Floor

1
Clean your shower once a week. Soap scum and hard water deposits will have a harder time building up if you clean your shower regularly. Regular cleaning can also help prevent the use of stronger cleaning products to remove tough stains.
2
Remove stains and mildew as soon as possible. If you notice a stain on your fiberglass shower floor, you should remove it as soon as you can. Removing tough stains and mildew as they appear will help you maintain the shower floor and avoid time-consuming deep cleanings.
3
Restore the floor with automobile polish. If your fiberglass shower floor is extremely dull or contains a lot of scratches, you can try to restore it with white automobile polish. After cleaning and drying the floor, apply an automotive white polishing compound to the floor. Buff off with a clean cloth.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I mix vinegar and Dawn and wash my fiberglass shower floor?

Community Answer

Yes! I use a spray bottle of vinegar and water (about 1/2 and 1/2) with a small squirt of dish soap. When cleaned regularly, this is great for hard water deposits and soap scum. If there's a thick layer of scum on there, you might need a stronger solution - straight vinegar and a little dish soap. I personally use a small scrub brush.
Question

How do you clean hair dye and rust stains from a pebble floor shower?

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Community Answer

Take a solution of 1 part muriatic acid (available at hardware stores) and 5 parts water. Brush the solution into the grout and go over the stones with a brush. When stain is out, rinse and let dry. After the stones are dry, seal the stones and grout with tile sealer (you can get at a hardware store). This will prevent future stains. You will need to treat with tile sealer about every 3 - 5 years. Be sure to use rubber gloves and safety glasses when using the acid solution.