How to Clean a Vinyl Shower Floor

Vinyl shower floors or shower pans should make keeping the shower clean easier, but often the non-slip design on the shower floor traps dirt and stains, and the surface contours make cleaning the pan difficult. Several strategies are helpful in approaching shower cleaning problems. Since no two showers are exactly the same, trying different approaches may be the best way to the clean shower.

1. Pour undiluted distilled white vinegar into a spray bottle, and douse the shower pan well. White vinegar is excellent as an anti-microbacterial agent, and it will kill up to 80 percent of the types of mold found in most environments. Allow the vinegar to sit on the pan for at least 30 minutes before rinsing with hot water.

2. Spread paper towels along the bottom of the shower pan. Mix 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution: 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the paper towels until they are soaked. Allow the bleaching properties of the mixture at least 30 minutes to penetrate the uneven floor surfaces and any surface scratches.

3. Wearing safety gloves, remove the sodden paper towels, and dispose of them. Mix 50/50 liquid laundry detergent and liquid dishwashing soap. (Squirt them directly on the pan with the residue of peroxide still present.) Trickle a small amount of hot water from the faucet.

4. Scrub the shower pan well using the bristle brush and the old toothbrush. If hard water stains remain, then use a lime/rust remover product to counteract the minerals. Do a final rinse with distilled water. (It will not leave mineral deposits.) Dry the pan with towels to prevent water spotting.

5. Apply a good car wax to the shower pan to seal scratches and reduce pockets where grime can collect. Use a rubber mat to prevent slippage.

Tip

If the shower pan is damaged by someone using abrasive cleansers, then refinishing the vinyl surface is an option. Frequent cleaning to address persistent problems such as hard water or mold will prevent these problems from becoming serious. Keep a bottle of vinegar close at hand, and spray the shower floor frequently to eliminate mold.