How to Clean a Fiberglass Shower Pan

Co-authored by Ahmed Mezil

Last Updated: July 16, 2021 References

Fiberglass has a pleasant shine that makes it an attractive building material. However, it is also easily scratched or discolored by abrasive cleaning supplies. Thus, keeping your fiberglass pan luxurious requires careful cleaning and maintenance.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Picking a Cleaning Solution

1
Make a vinegar solution. Mix a half cup of vinegar with a gallon of water. Stir to ensure that the solution is evenly mixed.^{[1]
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2
Use non-abrasive household cleaners. Dishwashing detergents and liquid laundry detergents are gentle enough for use on fiberglass shower pans. They are also generally cheaper than specialized bathroom cleaning products.^{[2]
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- Do not use bleach-based products.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ahmed Mezil
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.} Avoid scouring powders as well.
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3
Make a baking soda mix. Mix half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water. Mix the water and baking soda until it develops the consistency of paste.^{[4]
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- For a stronger solution, mix baking soda, vinegar, and dishwashing liquid.^{[5]
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  Ahmed Mezil
  Cleaning Specialist
  Expert Interview. 13 April 2021.}
4
Use all-purpose or bathroom cleaner. Bathroom cleaners and all-purpose cleaners are generally gentle enough for use on fiberglass surfaces, but are sometimes reputed to be unnecessarily expensive.^{[6]
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5
Use a Magic Eraser. Magic Erasers are soft sponges with cleaning solutions inside. They only need to be wet to be used. They are gentle enough for fiberglass and very good at picking up heavy stains. ^{[7]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Performing a Light Clean

1
Wet a nonabrasive sponge. Use a sponge made of nylon, polyester, or polyethylene. Other cleaners can be too abrasive for fiberglass. If you are using a Magic Eraser, wet it instead.^{[8]
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2
Apply cleaning solution to the sponge. Depending upon the solution, either spray it on the sponge or dunk the sponge in it. If you are using a Magic Eraser, skip this step.^{[9]
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3
Rub gently from side to side. Rub the pan with a set pattern, to ensure that you do not miss any spots. Begin, for example, in the far right corner, then work your way to the far left corner. Scrub back and forth this way, moving closer each time you hit the end of the pan until you reach the corners on the opposite end.^{[10]
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4
Periodically clean your sponge. Squeeze your sponge out into a nearby sink and then rewet it. Apply more cleaning solution to the sponge before going back to cleaning the tub. Clean the sponge like this a couple of times during the process of scrubbing the tub.
5
Wash out the pan. After you have scrubbed the entire tub, turn on the water to wash out the cleaning solution. If this does not sufficiently clean out the pan, use a new sponge to wipe up the remainder of the solution.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Performing a Heavy Clean

1
Apply cleaning solution to the pan. Use a sponge to spread the cleaning solution you selected throughout the entire pan. Follow all the preceding steps, except washing out the pan. ^{[11]
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2
Allow the solution to sit for an hour. If you allow the solution to sit, it will continue to remove dirt. This will get the pan cleaner than if you remove the solution immediately after wiping it down. ^{[12]
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3
Rinse out the solution. After the solution has sat for about an hour, turn on the water to wash off the solution. Use a clean sponge to pick up any of the solution that remains in the pan.
4
Spot clean with nail polish remover. If there is a stain that remains despite all your best efforts, cover a white cloth with nail polish remover. Rub the spot lightly with the cloth until the spot has been removed. Then, wash the nail polish remover off the pan with a clean sponge or cloth.^{[13]
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- Although nail polish remover is not bad for the fiberglass, it should be used as a last resort because it can be bad for you. It is highly flammable, so do not use it near fire, or a heat source.
- Because the substance is toxic, do you not allow it to wash down the drain. Use a cloth to pick it up after you are done.

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Maintaining Your Fiberglass Pan

1
Condition the pan with an automotive white wax. To maintain the shiny finish of the fiberglass, apply automotive white wax. Wash the pan down with a wet rag and then use a rag to lightly apply the wax to dull or scratched areas.^{[14]
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- Some manufacturers recommend that you perform this treatment twice a year.
2
Dry the pan after every use. If you want your pan to keep its shiny appearance all the time, keep a squeegee in the shower. When you finish taking your showers, use the squeegee to pick up moisture and dry off the pan.^{[15]
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3
Keep abrasive cleaners away from your fiberglass. Fiberglass is fragile and can easily be scratched up. Never use scouring powders, scouring pads, steel wool, scrapers, or bleach to clean fiberglass.^{[16]
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Warnings

Never use abrasive scouring powders. “Scouring” powders are abrasive cleaners with a grainy texture. When you rub a surface with them, they create friction that helps remove dirt. Fiberglass, however, is too delicate for these cleaners, which can leave scratches on the surface of the fiberglass.^{[17]
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Never use abrasive scouring tools. Scouring pads, steel wool, and scrapers create a lot of friction. Although they can be effective cleaning tools, they will scratch up delicate fiberglass surfaces.^{[18]
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Refrain from using bleach. Bleach can discolor the surface of the fiberglass, leaving blotches. If you are not certain whether your cleaner has bleach, check the ingredient list and then test a small amount on an inconspicuous spot.^{[19]
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